The First Black ‘Peanuts’ Character Finally Gets His Origin Story

Apple TV’s animated special “Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin” explores the origin story of Franklin, the first Black character in the “Peanuts” comic strip, showcasing his initial encounter with Charlie Brown and the rest of the gang. The special addresses a long-overdue focus on Franklin, introduced in 1968 by “Peanuts” creator Charles Schulz following a suggestion from Harriet Glickman, a teacher who believed adding a Black character could foster societal change after Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. The Apple TV special not only revisits this significant moment but also reimagines a controversial scene from the 1973 “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” special, aiming to address past criticisms and foster a dialogue on inclusivity and representation. This reimagined scene corrects the previous portrayal by showing the characters inviting Franklin to join them.

Source: NPR