Masking in The Boondocks -- ep. by Howard Rambsy II

A brief take on layered metaphorical masking in The Boondocks, showing how Aaron McGruder’s satire stacks voices and cultural references, linking Samuel L. Jackson’s role in Pulp Fiction, Donald Rumsfeld’s infamous “unknown unknowns,” and a cartoon performance of political critique, to reveal how masking can function as comedy and cultural remix. 

Script by Howard Rambsy II 

Narration by Kassandra Timm

Transcript

We know the power, playfulness, and complexity of wearing a mask. But what happens when someone wearing a mask puts on another mask — and then a mask over that mask?

You’re listening to Remarkable Receptions, a podcast about African American artistic production, the circulation of ideas, and more.

The notion of layered or multifaceted metaphorical masking is exemplified in a scene from an episode of The Boondocks written by Aaron McGruder. 

In one memorable moment, the character Riley (voiced by Regina King) asks the question “what?” one too many times, and the character Rummy (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) becomes upset, daring Riley to say “what” one more time.

The scene deliberately references a famous scene from the 1994 film Pulp Fiction. In that film, a confused character repeatedly asks “what?” and the character Jules (played by Samuel Jackson) becomes increasingly annoyed and then enraged. Here’s his response:

And here’s the corresponding moment from The Boondocks: 

It’s worth noting that although the character Rummy sounds and sometimes behaves like a stereotypical Black criminal figure, he is at the same time a satirical take on former U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld,. Hence the name “Rummy.”

 One reason Riley repeatedly asks “what?” is because Rummy’s character echoes Rumsfeld’s infamous perplexing statement that there are “known unknowns” and “unknown unknowns” regarding evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq. Rumsfeld’s phrasing left many people confused enough to ask “what?” multiple times as well. 

 In this single Boondocks scene, we encounter multiple layers of masking: a white cartoon character, voiced by a Black actor, satirizing a white government official while referencing a film scene featuring a Black character played by that same actor. Hold up—what? 

Did you get that?  a white cartoon character, voiced by a Black actor, satirizing a white government official while referencing a film scene featuring a Black character played by that same actor.

 Moments like this remind us that more than simply concealment, masking can function as performance, critique, and comedy all at once. Through layered voices, references, and identities, The Boondocks reveals the complexity, playfulness, and power of multifaceted metaphorical masking. 

 It’s sometimes remarkable enough to make you ask “what?” one more time.

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This episode was written by Howard Rambsy, edited by Elizabeth Cali, and read by me, Kassandra Timm.

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