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Harriet Glickman

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Educator

The Resume

    (November 1, 1926-March 27, 2020)
    Born in Sioux City, Iowa
    Birth name was Harriet Mae Ratner
    Los Angeles school teacher
    Penned a letter to Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz urging him to create a black character for his comic strip (April 15, 1968)
    Wrote the letter in response to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King eleven days earlier
    Letter resulted in the first appearance of Franklin (introduced July 31, 1968)

Why she might be annoying:

    Her letter to Schulz was well intentioned but slightly naïve, as if to suggest that having a black Peanuts character would magically make some kids ‘not racist.’
    Schulz initially responded to her that he had concerns about accurately representing a black character without 'patronizing our Negro friends.'
    While her efforts led to success, the Franklin character was never really developed as much as his white classmates (he didn’t even have a last name until 1994 - a full twenty-five years later).

Why she might not be annoying:

    She was the first child of Russian immigrants.
    Her entire family were all huge Peanuts fans even before she corresponded with Schulz.
    Part of her famous letter to Schulz read: ‘I've been asking myself what I can do to help change those conditions in our society which led to the assassination and which contribute to the vast sea of misunderstanding, hate, fear and violence.’
    When Schulz expressed doubt about not having lived experience, she asked several of her African-American neighbors to write in suggestions and encouragement.
    The introduction of Franklin was groundbreaking and met with a positive reaction overall, except from several Southern newspapers that tried to get the character cut from reprints (Schulz refused).
    When she retired in 1999, Southern California philanthropists created the Harriet Glickman Fund for Children in her honor.
    When the 2015 ‘Peanuts Movie’ hit theaters, she was invited to do a promotional tour with Franklin’s voice actor Marleik Walker (pictured), whom she called ‘perfect’ for the role.
    She remained humble during interviews until her death, and fully acknowledged that the fight against racism has not yet ended.

Credit: BoyWithTheGreenHair


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    In 2023, Out of 13 Votes: 0% Annoying