Robert Jebediah Freeman
Encyclopedia
Robert Jebediah "Granddad" Freeman is a fictional character in the animated television show The Boondocks
, as well as a regular character in a comic strip of the same name. He lives in the suburb of Woodcrest with his two grandsons, Huey Freeman
and Riley Freeman
. He is voiced by John Witherspoon
.
, and is an active participant in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. During the war, his wing-man, Moe, often took credit for things that Robert or they dually accomplished, and Robert's angst about this culminated at Moe's funeral, during which he blows the lid off of some of Moe's more embellished accomplishments. Robert also lived in Alabama during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. He specifically recalls showing up late for a march because he forgot his raincoat, much to the indignation of his cohorts. He also had a grudge against Rosa Parks
for "stealing his thunder", as he was sitting next to her on that bus and likewise refused to give up his seat. The bus driver was only offended by Rosa's, not his, unwillingness to move, however.
Early in the comic strip's run, he states that he is nearly 70 years old. However, in the television series, his age is estimated to be somewhere between 80 and 120 years old, as "Not even he knows how old he is."
when they slip up.
Both of his grandsons disrespect him, but sometimes in different ways. Huey often disagrees with Robert and sometimes disobeys him, disapproving of Robert's focus on how they're all viewed in the eyes of their neighbors, seeing this as evidence that he still possesses an antiquated sense of inferiority to the "white man," which causes him to act in a way that he believes his neighbors want him to act. Huey especially dislikes when Robert tries to force this antiquated notion on him, interpreting this as an attempt to change him into a person he's not. Riley disrespects Robert by not obeying him despite being severely disciplined by him often. For the most part, Riley seems to do whatever he wants, and is punished at his grandfather's whim. These punishments don't seem to deter Riley, however, and he is much more unrelenting with his disrespect as a result. In "Granddad's Fight
", Riley goes on and on making fun of Robert, his own grandfather, mercilessly rubbing in the humiliation. Even his brother rebukes him for doing this, but he doesn't stop. This singular act epitomizes his lack of respect for his grandfather (although, it seems as though Robert favors Riley over Huey, as Riley openly and actively participates in the schemes his grandfather creates, and vice versa).
Robert can be viewed as selfishly motivated most of the time. He has openly admitted he was ashamed of his grandsons, and went so far as to spend their inheritance on his dream home in his dream neighborhood, moving Huey, and Riley away from their native Chicago
against their will. In fact, he somewhat regularly ignores the desires and needs of his grandchildren, such as in Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner, when he buys willy-nilly to appease the expensive tastes of his prostitute-girlfriend, while ignoring his grandsons' objections to her obvious corrosive effect on them as a family. Though the woman's cover is eventually blown when her pimp shows up to retrieve her, he does exhibit signs of genuine love for her, hopelessly waiting for her to return long into the night after she is taken away by her pimp. This causes his grandsons, especially Huey, to sympathize with him despite getting what they ultimately wanted.
Robert has been shown to have mastery with his use of a belt, due to his experience of using it on Riley often. His aptitude with it is such that he can use his belt as a whip to restrain a target, and comfortably use it as a weapon, seen in such episodes as "Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner", "Stinkmeaner Strikes Back
" and "The Story of Thugnificent
".
Robert, having experienced the Civil Rights Movement
firsthand, doesn't take the slighting of his race lightly. Uncle Ruckus
, a self-hating black racist
, butts heads with Robert often. Despite this, he is probably considered to be the closest thing Ruckus has to a friend. Robert also uses his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement
as a justification for spending his grandsons' inheritance on a big house in a nice suburb, noting how he helped make such an act possible, whereas it wouldn't have been an option were segregation
still in existence. However, Huey noted in comparison to his fellow protesters, he did relatively little (Robert claimed he got hosed down in the Civil Rights Movement to get his house, while Huey noted he didn't get hosed at all).
Robert also seems to be out of touch with popular culture in current society, as shown when Riley Freeman introduces something to him. In the comic strip, he saw Riley playing Grand Theft Auto III
assuming it was a form of "cops and robbers
", learning later Riley was the "robber" (however, he later played with him on the same game on two-player mode). His understanding of slang and metaphors is very limited, an example being when he believed having a 'golden shower
' was a good thing, which amused Riley
("The Trial of R. Kelly
"). He also has limited knowledge of gangsta rap
pers, which at one point eventually started a beef with a rapper named Thugnificent ("The Story of Thugnificent
"). He has consistently mangled the pronunciation of Xzibit
's name (calling him "Inhibit," "Exhibition," and "Eczema
," among other things) and believes that Usher
was literally a singing usher
. Also, he has recently discovered internet dating and is aware of social networks such as MySpace
and Facebook
. However, he has also learned firsthand the dangers of internet dating when he invited an attractive, yet mentally unstable woman with master knowledge of kung-fu for the weekend in ("Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
").
Robert also tends to have habit of asking, "Wait, what was the question?" after telling a story.
The Boondocks (TV series)
The Boondocks is an American animated series created by Aaron McGruder on Cartoon Network's late night programing block, Adult Swim, based on McGruder's comic strip of the same name...
, as well as a regular character in a comic strip of the same name. He lives in the suburb of Woodcrest with his two grandsons, Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman
Huey Freeman is a fictional character of The Boondocks syndicated comic strip written by Aaron McGruder, as well as the main character and recurrent principal narrator of the animated TV series of the same name...
and Riley Freeman
Riley Freeman
Riley Freeman is a fictional character from the syndicated comic strip The Boondocks written by Aaron McGruder and its TV series adaptation...
. He is voiced by John Witherspoon
John Witherspoon (actor)
John Witherspoon is an American comedian and actor who has had roles in over 28 movies and 20 television shows. Mostly known for the "Friday" series, he has been acting for over three decades and starred in shows such as Hollywood Shuffle , Boomerang...
.
History
Robert was a Tuskegee Airman and flew a P-51 MustangP-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
, and is an active participant in the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. During the war, his wing-man, Moe, often took credit for things that Robert or they dually accomplished, and Robert's angst about this culminated at Moe's funeral, during which he blows the lid off of some of Moe's more embellished accomplishments. Robert also lived in Alabama during the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. He specifically recalls showing up late for a march because he forgot his raincoat, much to the indignation of his cohorts. He also had a grudge against Rosa Parks
Rosa Parks
Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African-American civil rights activist, whom the U.S. Congress called "the first lady of civil rights", and "the mother of the freedom movement"....
for "stealing his thunder", as he was sitting next to her on that bus and likewise refused to give up his seat. The bus driver was only offended by Rosa's, not his, unwillingness to move, however.
Early in the comic strip's run, he states that he is nearly 70 years old. However, in the television series, his age is estimated to be somewhere between 80 and 120 years old, as "Not even he knows how old he is."
Personality
To the residents of Woodcrest, Robert is a law-abiding citizen who tries his best to fit in despite being one of the very few black residents of the suburb. To his grandsons, especially Huey, he is an authority figure but only in the sense that he doesn't hesitate to use corporal punishmentCorporal punishment
Corporal punishment is a form of physical punishment that involves the deliberate infliction of pain as retribution for an offence, or for the purpose of disciplining or reforming a wrongdoer, or to deter attitudes or behaviour deemed unacceptable...
when they slip up.
Both of his grandsons disrespect him, but sometimes in different ways. Huey often disagrees with Robert and sometimes disobeys him, disapproving of Robert's focus on how they're all viewed in the eyes of their neighbors, seeing this as evidence that he still possesses an antiquated sense of inferiority to the "white man," which causes him to act in a way that he believes his neighbors want him to act. Huey especially dislikes when Robert tries to force this antiquated notion on him, interpreting this as an attempt to change him into a person he's not. Riley disrespects Robert by not obeying him despite being severely disciplined by him often. For the most part, Riley seems to do whatever he wants, and is punished at his grandfather's whim. These punishments don't seem to deter Riley, however, and he is much more unrelenting with his disrespect as a result. In "Granddad's Fight
Granddad's Fight
"Granddad's Fight" is the fourth episode of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks. It originally aired on November 27, 2005.-Plot:The episode starts with two young black men passing each other on a city street...
", Riley goes on and on making fun of Robert, his own grandfather, mercilessly rubbing in the humiliation. Even his brother rebukes him for doing this, but he doesn't stop. This singular act epitomizes his lack of respect for his grandfather (although, it seems as though Robert favors Riley over Huey, as Riley openly and actively participates in the schemes his grandfather creates, and vice versa).
Robert can be viewed as selfishly motivated most of the time. He has openly admitted he was ashamed of his grandsons, and went so far as to spend their inheritance on his dream home in his dream neighborhood, moving Huey, and Riley away from their native Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
against their will. In fact, he somewhat regularly ignores the desires and needs of his grandchildren, such as in Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner, when he buys willy-nilly to appease the expensive tastes of his prostitute-girlfriend, while ignoring his grandsons' objections to her obvious corrosive effect on them as a family. Though the woman's cover is eventually blown when her pimp shows up to retrieve her, he does exhibit signs of genuine love for her, hopelessly waiting for her to return long into the night after she is taken away by her pimp. This causes his grandsons, especially Huey, to sympathize with him despite getting what they ultimately wanted.
Robert has been shown to have mastery with his use of a belt, due to his experience of using it on Riley often. His aptitude with it is such that he can use his belt as a whip to restrain a target, and comfortably use it as a weapon, seen in such episodes as "Guess Hoe's Coming to Dinner", "Stinkmeaner Strikes Back
Stinkmeaner Strikes Back
"Stinkmeaner Strikes Back" is the fourth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the nineteenth episode overall. It originally aired on October 29, 2007.-Plot:Colonel H...
" and "The Story of Thugnificent
The Story of Thugnificent
"The Story of Thugnificent" is the fifth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the twentieth episode overall...
".
Robert, having experienced the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
firsthand, doesn't take the slighting of his race lightly. Uncle Ruckus
Uncle Ruckus
Uncle Ruckus, also known as Rev. Uncle Ruckus and Rev. Fr. Uncle Ruckus, as well as Uncle Rukus while serving at Robert Freeman's Soul Food restaurant "The Itis" , is a fictional character from the Boondocks comic strip and animated television series The Boondocks...
, a self-hating black racist
Racism
Racism is the belief that inherent different traits in human racial groups justify discrimination. In the modern English language, the term "racism" is used predominantly as a pejorative epithet. It is applied especially to the practice or advocacy of racial discrimination of a pernicious nature...
, butts heads with Robert often. Despite this, he is probably considered to be the closest thing Ruckus has to a friend. Robert also uses his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement
Civil rights movement
The civil rights movement was a worldwide political movement for equality before the law occurring between approximately 1950 and 1980. In many situations it took the form of campaigns of civil resistance aimed at achieving change by nonviolent forms of resistance. In some situations it was...
as a justification for spending his grandsons' inheritance on a big house in a nice suburb, noting how he helped make such an act possible, whereas it wouldn't have been an option were segregation
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
still in existence. However, Huey noted in comparison to his fellow protesters, he did relatively little (Robert claimed he got hosed down in the Civil Rights Movement to get his house, while Huey noted he didn't get hosed at all).
Robert also seems to be out of touch with popular culture in current society, as shown when Riley Freeman introduces something to him. In the comic strip, he saw Riley playing Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto III
Grand Theft Auto III is a 2001 open world action computer and video game developed by DMA Design in the United Kingdom, and published by Rockstar Games. It is the first 3D title in the Grand Theft Auto series. It was released in October 2001 for the PlayStation 2, May 2002 for Microsoft Windows,...
assuming it was a form of "cops and robbers
Cops and Robbers
-Film:*Cops and Robbers , a 1951 Italian film*Cops and Robbers , a 1973 film starring Cliff Gorman and Joseph Bologna-Music:...
", learning later Riley was the "robber" (however, he later played with him on the same game on two-player mode). His understanding of slang and metaphors is very limited, an example being when he believed having a 'golden shower
Urolagnia
Urolagnia is a paraphilia in which sexual excitement is associated with the sight or thought of urine or urination. The term has origins in the Greek Language .Those who enjoy urolagnia may enjoy urinating on another person or persons, or being urinated upon...
' was a good thing, which amused Riley
Riley Freeman
Riley Freeman is a fictional character from the syndicated comic strip The Boondocks written by Aaron McGruder and its TV series adaptation...
("The Trial of R. Kelly
The Trial of R. Kelly
"The Trial of R. Kelly" is the second episode of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks. It originally aired on November 13, 2005.-Plot:...
"). He also has limited knowledge of gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
pers, which at one point eventually started a beef with a rapper named Thugnificent ("The Story of Thugnificent
The Story of Thugnificent
"The Story of Thugnificent" is the fifth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the twentieth episode overall...
"). He has consistently mangled the pronunciation of Xzibit
Xzibit
Alvin Nathaniel Joiner , better known by his stage name Xzibit , is an American rapper, actor, and television host. He is known as the host of the MTV show Pimp My Ride, which brought him mainstream success...
's name (calling him "Inhibit," "Exhibition," and "Eczema
Eczema
Eczema is a form of dermatitis, or inflammation of the epidermis . In England, an estimated 5.7 million or about one in every nine people have been diagnosed with the disease by a clinician at some point in their lives.The term eczema is broadly applied to a range of persistent skin conditions...
," among other things) and believes that Usher
Usher (entertainer)
Usher Terry Raymond IV , who performs under the mononym Usher, is an American singer-songwriter, and actor. He is considered around the world to be the reigning King of R&B. Usher rose to fame in the late 1990s with the release of his second album My Way, which spawned his first Billboard Hot 100...
was literally a singing usher
Usher (occupation)
Ushers assist visitors by formally showing the way in a large building or to their appropriate seats. This may coincide with a security role. The word comes from the French huissier, with the same meaning , ushers were servants or courtiers who showed or ushered visitors in and out of meetings in...
. Also, he has recently discovered internet dating and is aware of social networks such as MySpace
MySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
and Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
. However, he has also learned firsthand the dangers of internet dating when he invited an attractive, yet mentally unstable woman with master knowledge of kung-fu for the weekend in ("Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch
"Attack of the Killer Kung-Fu Wolf Bitch" is the sixth episode of the second season of the Adult Swim animated television series The Boondocks and the twenty-first episode overall...
").
Robert also tends to have habit of asking, "Wait, what was the question?" after telling a story.
Sources
- "The Boondocks" on TV.com