‘A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ accused of racism over seating of Franklin

ABC’s annual “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” special was slammed as racist by some on social media, with some viewers objecting to the dinner-table seating of its only black character. 

The scene in question has four characters from Charles M. Schulz’s iconic “Peanuts” cartoon — Sally, Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty and dog Snoopy — sitting on one side of a makeshift outdoor table for Thanksgiving dinner, with Marcie at one end of the table and Linus at the head.

The cartoon’s lone black character, Franklin, is on his own side of the table seated on a lawn chair. 

Comicbook.com was the first to flag the reactions to the scene on social media.

‘Charlie Brown Thanksgiving’ Viewers Upset by “Racist” Scenehttps://t.co/haWko1tsj0 pic.twitter.com/vPpmPBcZa8

— Comicbook.com (@ComicBook) November 21, 2018

Not watching Charlie Brown Thanksgiving anymore, until they sit some people on the same side of the table as Franklin ✊✊

— Vic Damone Jr (@Asharp52) November 21, 2018

How come Franklin, Charlie Brown’s only black friend, sits alone on the other side of the table? And in a lawn chair. #franklin #CharlieBrown #CharlieBrownThanksgiving

— Cynthia Haynes (@ChefCynthiaC) November 21, 2018

Let’s talk about Franklin. Dude gets invited to Charlie Brown’s by Peppermint Patty. Then he finds out that it wasn’t a real invite, a dog is cooking the food and he’s gotta sit by himself at dinner. That’s Get Out. #CharlieBrownThanksgiving

— Terry Turkey Leg Brown™️ (@TBrown_80) November 21, 2018

Am I woke now, why is Franklin in Charlie Brown Thanksgiving sitting all by himself at the table. Man. Things that I did not notice as a child.

— Yessam (@cmass4eva) November 21, 2018

Black journalist Jeremy Helligar wrote in a Friday commentary reacting to the controversy that Franklin’s placement in other “Peanuts” specials appeared more inclusive.

{mosads}”A relevant aside: During the farewell dinner about one hour and five minutes into 1972’s ‘Snoopy Come Home,’ Franklin was seated on the same side of the table as Charlie Brown, Lucy, and Frieda — in a regular chair,” Helligar said on Medium.

Schulz, who passed away in 2000, reportedly demanded a black character be added to the Charlie Brown cast in 1968 following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Schulz was inspired to do so after receiving a letter from a teacher named Harriet Glickman.

When asked by the head of the cartoon’s publisher, United Feature Syndicate, if he was sure he wanted to add a black character, Glickman says Schulz replied, “Either you run it the way I drew it, or I quit.’ ”

Franklin’s 50th anniversary was celebrated by the Schulz Museum in July.

Happy 50th Anniversary, Franklin! Franklin first appeared in Peanuts 50 years ago today in this strip originally published on July 31, 1968. pic.twitter.com/b1LlNsgoKZ

— SchulzMuseum (@SchulzMuseum) July 31, 2018

“A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” first ran on CBS in November 1973, where it aired until 2001. ABC picked up the rights to all “Peanuts” specials the following year.