‘Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Viewers Upset by "Racist" Scene

[Anti Federalist]

That's what you get for tokenism.




‘Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Viewers Upset by "Racist" Scene

https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/2018/...ranklin-scene/

By NICOLE DRUM - November 21, 2018

Tonight, ABC aired the classic animated Peanuts special A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving, and while many fans tuned in for the warmth of nostalgia to kick off their holiday season, many came away with a less than fuzzy feeling when it came to how one specific character was treated.

The special centers around a somewhat impromptu holiday meal that happens when Peppermint Patty invites herself and several others over to Charlie Brown and Sally's house for Thanksgiving despite the fact that they're preparing to go to their grandmother's for the feast. After a little help from Linus, who convinces Charlie they can have two Thanksgivings, as well as Woodstock and Snoopy who do the cooking, a friends' Thanksgiving is on.

The meal -- buttered toast, pretzel sticks, popcorn, jelly beans, and an ice cream sundae -- is served at a table in the backyard, and while all's well that ends well with everyone ending up invited to Charlie and Sally's grandmother's meal, it's the seating arrangements at this unusual dinner that has some fans on social media heated. Franklin, the one and only black friend in the group, is seated by himself on one side of the table while the other is crowded with the rest of the friends. On top of that, he's sitting in a lawn chair as opposed to everyone else's proper furniture.

It's... not a good look, which viewers were quick to point out. Many felt the scene was in bad taste at a minimum and racist at worse, with most settling into the idea that the special simply hasn't aged well. A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving first aired on November 20, 1973 on CBS where it aired every year until 2000. In 2001, it moved to ABC with the rest of the Peanuts specials and has continued to air annually.

Want to see how viewers reacted to the Franklin situation? Read on for more and be sure to let us know your take in the comments.

[CCTelander]

More manufactured outrage over stuff that happened over 40 years ago. Personally, I'm sick of manufactured outrage and/or crises from any point on the political spectrum. Piss on them all.

[Origanalist]

I can think of a hundred jokes for this, but they might sound racist.

[Anti Federalist]

More manufactured outrage over stuff that happened over 40 years ago. Personally, I'm sick of manufactured outrage and/or crises from any point on the political spectrum. Piss on them all.

Hear hear...I'm outraged at being outraged all the time.

If I fronted a heavy metal band...

[Dr.3D]

At least he was invited.

[specsaregood]

At least he was invited.

Dunno how its "racist". I'd rather be on a side by myself rather than all cramped together. looks more like he got a seat of honor.

[Swordsmyth]

Dunno how its "racist". I'd rather be on a side by myself rather than all cramped together. looks more like he got a seat of honor.

You must spread some reputation around.....

He didn't get the cold metal chair either.

[specsaregood]

He didn't get the cold metal chair either.

yeah, I almost had added that his chair looked the most comfy too.

[PursuePeace]

Franklin is obviously the only civilized one, beings he has the proper utensils. The other people at the table are savages who eat with their hands.

[Swordsmyth]

Franklin is obviously the only civilized one, beings he has the proper utensils. The other people at the table are savages who eat with their hands.

That's probably why they are on the same side of the table as the dog and he isn't.

[PursuePeace]

That's probably why they are on the same side of the table as the dog and he isn't.

Exactly!

[juleswin]

Dunno how its "racist". I'd rather be on a side by myself rather than all cramped together. looks more like he got a seat of honor.

I was that kid in primary school and you would not believe what I would have given up to share the cramped, cold, sweaty chair with my peers. I had alopecia in primary school and kids would avoid me thinking it was contagious. I knew if I sat first, nobody would sit by me and even when I tried to sit last, some kids would scoot over to the edge of the seat to avoid me.

Kids sometimes behave like this when a new kid joins the group or when something is off with the a kid in the group, so not going to join the crowd and call anyone racist over this. But I not would want to be in that kid's shoes ever again.

[RJ Liberty]

"On top of that, he's sitting in a lawn chair as opposed to everyone else's proper furniture."

If you look carefully, everyone has a different chair. I wouldn't call Marcy's metal folding chair a "proper piece of furniture", and it looks like Peppermint Patty is sitting on a wicker chair. There's even a place setting on Franklin's side for another guest, who is going to get screwed over, as there are no more chairs.

Charles Schulz was inclusive of African Americans before most of these folks were even born.

[Suzanimal]

At least he was invited.

Woodstock & Pigpen didn't even get to eat with their friends. Plus, all the kids had different chairs.

[CCTelander]

"On top of that, he's sitting in a lawn chair as opposed to everyone else's proper furniture."

If you look carefully, everyone has a different chair. I wouldn't call Marcy's metal folding chair a "proper piece of furniture", and it looks like Peppermint Patty is sitting on a wicker chair. There's even a place setting on Franklin's side for another guest, who is going to get screwed over, as there are no more chairs.

Charles Schulz was inclusive of African Americans before most of these folks were even born.

No good deed goes unpunished.

[CaptainAmerica]

some people never get OVER themselves. like ever????How many centuries must it take? Charlie Brown was ahead of its time, and do people really think desegregation magically made society integrate? FFS desegregation still has repercussions because of young people not knowing history, and thinking they can be better than their own parents or grandparents, often making themselves WORSE.

[CaptainAmerica]

here is Franklin's first appearance....yes obviously Sgt.Charles Schulz of the armored division that served in 1943 in Europe against the axis was so fkn racist.....stupid people nowdays, I swear they need to get over their OWN RACE,and look at the history in context,and art work in context.

[CaptainAmerica]

here is Franklin's first appearance....yes obviously Sgt.Charles Schulz of the armored division that served in 1943 in Europe against the axis was so fkn racist.....stupid people nowdays, I swear they need to get over their OWN RACE,and look at the history in context,and art work in context.

the defamation and disrespect of this generation is unrepairable. maybe they ought to actually protest rap music with the N word, because its B SH IT

[Schifference]

The biggest outrage should be in regards to the junk food served at the meal. People were thin in 1970. Look what eating that junk food does to society.

[Schifference]

Oh Yes. Forget about racist. How come there are no fat creatures at the table? Discrimination!

[Brian4Liberty]

Oh Yes. Forget about racist. How come there are no fat creatures at the table? Discrimination!

[Aratus]

i come back, and see this...