Ok, Thanksgiving was weeks ago. But it will come again and so will the accusation that it's racist, mainly because of this image showing Franklin, the only black character, sitting by himself.
First, lets put things in context. This cartoon was made in the 60s when cartoon characters in other strips were either white or embarrassing stereotypes. Franklin was written as just another kid. That was a big thing then. Including black characters was revolutionary and having one who doesn't make us cringe decades later is unique. Instead of condemning this as racist, let's give it credit for fighting racism. If the creators where actually racists then they wouldn't have included Franklin in the first place.
That said, there are reasons Franklin was seated where he was. Things look so lopsided because the Brown family (Charlie Brown, his sister and his dog) all sat together plus Peppermint Patty who had a crush on Charlie Brown. The singles, Linus, Franklin and Marcie all sat by themselves. If Marcie and Franklin's positions were switched, people would still be claiming racism. The impression of Franklin sitting by himself is plot-driven - they needed a table that was long enough for the Browns and Peppermint Patty to sit together.
But racism is often a matter of perspective. Look at this shot.
Franklin doesn't look lonely at all here. Or in this one which was done to publicize the show.
Or in this (undated) publicity still which includes the rest of the characters.
I will admit that it's possible that the animators kept Franklin at a distance because of the wide-spread racism that did exist at the time. It's unlikely but possible. Even if that happened, it's unfair to reframe a blow for racial equality as racist. Instead let's give proper credit to the cartoon for including a black character who wasn't a stereotype.
