Clarence Page began his column on racial division and ethnic sensitivity by expressing his sorrow at Charles M. Schulz’ death (Commentary, Feb. 16). Soon, we found out this was not a happy-go-lucky piece on the Peanuts gang. He picks Schulz’ character Franklin as an example of the racial faults and divisions in America today. Page points out that Franklin was “perfect,” even though as time passed, the supremacy of Franklin’s character eventually hindered his growth in the strip.
In Franklin and the Peanuts strip he finds a common ground.
Almost everyone loves Peanuts and, if they don’t, they are at least familiar with Charlie Brown and the gang.
We come to see the deeper message. America still has racial issues. Page is correct, we aren’t ready for Franklin to be neurotic or co-dependent or even unfortunate. Tension is running too high in ethnic cartooning for that to happen. Things get so complicated when race becomes an issue. It’s pretty hard not to be offensive to someone. Schultz managed it well and Franklin’s character (as the perfect American kid) made us think, as all of the Peanuts gang did.
