Another of Mr. McGruder's comics criticized Black Entertainment Television and its music video programming. He accused BET's chief executive officer, Robert Johnson, and his network of objectifying black women in music videos that feature scantily clad dancers. Mr. McGruder wasn't fazed. Supporters complained too, warning the Times that they would cancel their papers if the Times cancelled the strip. Ms. Zacchino said she received a letter from one white woman who explained how the comic strip prompted her to see her own racist stereotypes.
People expect homogenous, simple feel-good stuff on the comic pages.
A lot of people who reacted to the strip just didn't understand it, and they saw it as an attack. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette annually gauges readers' opinions on the comics that run in the newspaper. But instead of pulling the serial comic, editors gave it more time to gain a following. In the two years since the comic began running in the newspaper, criticism has waned, and the comic has gained a loyal following. Readers have told us that after having been initially offended, they have grown to like it.