'Boondocks' Creator Does 'Esquire' Feature

By: E&P Staff "The Boondocks" cartoonist Aaron McGruder, who's currently on hiatus from his comic strip, created a "State of the American Black Man" feature for the July issue of Esquire magazine.

A story on Universal Press Syndicate's Web site notes: "When the magazine asked McGruder to give his take on the state of the American black man, they were expecting a cartoon featuring the comic strip's stars, Huey and Riley. McGruder sent them back an 'Official Department of Black Affairs' questionnaire."

Although Huey and Riley do appear in the magazine's pages, their cameo is overshadowed by McGruder's 20-point questionnaire -- which comments on stereotypes and racism, and includes a section for fingerprints and an FBI number.

"What cost more?" the questionnaire asks. "Your house or your chain?"

"What is your Katrina status?" it also asks. "A: Displaced by Katrina, or B: Inconvenienced by family displaced by Katrina."

And: "How many white people's phone numbers do you have?" "Does George Bush care about black people?" "Tupac or Biggie?"