Overview:
Fifty years ago today, Charlie Brown made a friend who would forever change the landscape of comic strips and societal norms.
Fifty years ago today, Charlie Brown made a friend who would forever change the landscape of comic strips and societal norms. This friend, Franklin, was a groundbreaking character who sparked controversy and made a radical statement during a tumultuous time in American history. Many are wondering how a cute character became soo controversial in 1968? It was becauseFranklin was the first African American character in the Peanuts comic strip.
The History of Franklin
The story of Franklin’s inception begins with a correspondence between Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz and a California school teacher named Harriet Glickman in the spring of 1968. By then, Schulz had firmly established his reputation with Peanuts, which had been captivating audiences since its debut in 1950. The strip was celebrated not only for its humor and Schulz’s deceptively simple yet profound artwork but also for its philosophical musings and social awareness.
The Assassination of Dr. King + Franklin
Harriet Glickman, a mother of three, wrote to Schulz in April 1968, reflecting on what positive actions individuals could take following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on August 4, 1968. She urged Schulz to introduce African-American children into the Peanuts cast, acknowledging the potential challenges due to prevailing societal attitudes, including resistance from newspapers, syndication, and advertisers. Schulz expressed a desire to comply but worried about appearing “patronizing to our Negro friends.”
Their dialogue continued, with Glickman offering to gather opinions from other parents to support her case. By July 1st, Schulz had informed Glickman to look out for the July 31st strip, where Charlie Brown would meet a new friend at the beach. That friend was Franklin.
When Franklin first appeared, it was in a simple scene. Charlie Brown, in search of a lost beach ball, encounters Franklin, who finds and returns it. The two then collaborate to build a sandcastle. This seemingly mundane interaction was a quietly radical act due to the times of Jim Crow and the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In “Charles M. Schulz: Conversations,” Schulz recounted a “southern editor” who disapproved of the character, saying, “I don’t mind you having a black character, but please don’t show them in school together.” Schulz disregarded such feedback.
Franklin was later shown in school, often seated in front of another character, Peppermint Patty.
Negative Reactions to Franklin
In a 1988 interview with Michael Barrier, Schulz recalled further negative reactions. He mentioned a particular strip where Franklin invited Charlie Brown to his house, which did not sit well with some. Schulz also recounted a conversation with Larry Rutman, then head of King Features Syndicate, who wanted changes to Franklin’s character. Schulz stood firm, saying, “Either you print it just the way I draw it or I quit. How’s that?”
Schulz was careful to depict Franklin thoughtfully. Franklin, perhaps the kindest character to Charlie Brown after Linus, was warm and fair, avoiding stereotypical portrayals. Schulz added depth by indicating Franklin’s father was serving in Vietnam, providing a layer of topical relevance.
Franklin became a regular in the strip and appeared in various Peanuts media. His first animated appearance was in the 1972 film “Snoopy, Come Home.” He featured in numerous specials, including “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” in 1973, and was part of the 2015 film “The Peanuts Movie.”
Although Franklin lacked the quirky traits of other Peanuts characters, his inclusion was revolutionary.