The Boondocks

    “Everyone is worried about kids and violence, right? And kids using guns... So why don’t they go after the gun manufacturers and gun dealers instead of people who make video games.” What is this person saying about what causes gun violence in kids. McGruder, as it seems, believes that video games are not the source of gun violence. The source that needs to be fixed is the gun manufacturers and the gun dealers. He makes a very interesting point saying that the people who are trying to fix gun violence in kids should focus more on the physical getting of the guns (gun dealers and manufacturers) instead of the emotional desire to use the guns (video games). I believe that this comic is trying to say that what is being done about gun violence and students with video games is not working.
    He portrays his point, obviously, through humor, being in the form of a comic strip. These two kids have a humorous yet mind probing conversation that gets you thinking. One of the kids states, “who would you rather start a beef with - some nerd who makes video games or some dude with a warehouse full of AK-47s?” He is making “them,” the people who are trying to stop gun violence, look like scared wimps who aren’t dealing with the real problem because of fear.
    He also throws some irony into the comic strip. The issue approached is about kids, gun violence, and video games, and in his comic the two having the conversation are kids who are playing video games and are from the Boondocks. This leaves one under the impression that they are probably playing some sort of violent video game.
    Overall, Aaron McGruder does a great job at making you take a second look at how gun violence is being handled in our society all in one, small, entertaining, comic strip.