How a Teacher’s Letter Inspired Charles M. Schulz to Create Franklin, the First Black Character in Peanuts

Charles Schulz (left), Franklin.
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NEED TO KNOW

• Charles M. Schulz was first implored to introduce a Black character to the Peanuts gang after receiving a letter from a teacher, Harriet Glickman, following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.
• Franklin Armstrong debuted in July 1968, just three months later.
• Today, Franklin is a fan favorite whose story has continued to grow in the decades since.

In April 1968, Charles M. Schulz was deeply affected by the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. However, it was a letter from schoolteacher Harriet Glickman that prompted him to reconsider how he could translate that upheaval into meaningful action. The request was to add a Black character to the Peanuts gang.

Glickman later expressed her surprise at Schulz’s response to her letter, sharing her thoughts in a 2015 interview. “Like so many others, I felt helpless and like I had to do something,” she recounted. She believed Schulz could play a pivotal role in promoting acceptance, aiming to highlight what it would mean for a Black child to see themselves represented in a comic strip.

Charlie Brown welcomes Peppermint Patty, Marcie, and Franklin.

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In her letter, Glickman expressed concern over societal issues that contributed to the assassination of King, asking what she could do to help foster change in the prevailing atmosphere of misunderstanding and violence. She noted Schulz’s initial hesitation, as he feared that a character representing Black Americans might come across as patronizing or inauthentic.

Glickman sought feedback from her community, sharing insights with Schulz while he also received other letters advocating for diversity in the strip. Ultimately, he decided to proceed.

On July 1, 1968, Schulz wrote to Glickman, announcing that readers would see the new character in the comic during the week of July 29. This announcement stirred excitement for Glickman, and the debut of Franklin Armstrong shortly thereafter marked a significant moment in the series.

Reflecting on the impact of Franklin’s introduction, Glickman noted, “When people saw it, there were a lot of positive reactions.” Nevertheless, not all responses were favorable. Some editors raised objections to aspects of Franklin’s portrayal, arguing against the depiction of integrated interactions between characters.

Schulz recounted one instance where an editor protested a comic strip featuring Charlie Brown and Franklin at the beach, and another objected to them sitting together in school desks, citing regional tensions. However, Schulz remained steadfast, affirming to the United Features president that he would only proceed on his terms.

In 2024, a special titled Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin further explored the character’s backstory, emphasizing Franklin’s roots as the child of a military family who forms a friendship with Charlie Brown. Today, Franklin stands as a testament to Schulz’s commitment to addressing contemporary social issues through his work.

Schulz passed away in February 2000 at the age of 77. Harriet Glickman, who helped inspire Franklin, died 20 years later, in 2020, at the age of 93.