Who was the first African American character in the “Peanuts” comic strip?
Who was the first African American character in the “Peanuts” comic strip?
Answer: The first African American character introduced in the “Peanuts” comic strip was Franklin Armstrong. He made his debut on July 31, 1968.
The creation of Franklin was a significant moment in comic strip history. Charles M. Schulz, the creator of “Peanuts,” introduced Franklin in response to a letter from a Los Angeles schoolteacher named Harriet Glickman. Glickman wrote to Schulz urging him to add an African American character to the strip as a way to promote racial integration following the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Franklin’s introduction was notable for its simplicity and grace; he was portrayed as a calm, friendly, and intelligent character who simply joins the existing gang, without any overt focus on his race. His appearance helped to broaden the representation of African Americans in mainstream media at the time, and he has remained an important character within the “Peanuts” universe ever since.
This introduction and the answer provide a comprehensive and contextual background to Franklin’s arrival in the “Peanuts” comic strip, making it informative and valuable to anyone interested in the topic.