Sarah’s quiet dignity, often portrayed through her resigned sighs or exasperated looks, isn’t merely a side act in the grand carnival of The Boondocks. It serves as a persistent, subtle reminder that amid the jokes and exaggerated narratives, there is still a relatable element of the human condition.
Through her character, we learn that being ‘normal’ doesn’t mean being boring, and within each of us, there exists a silent hero, just like Sarah, who is always ready to face the world with a brave smile.
Who Is Sarah Dubois?
As the spirited wife of Tom DuBois and the nurturing mother of the curious Jazmine DuBois, she plays a central role in the complex family dynamics of The Boondocks.
In the cacophony of outrageous personalities and on-the-nose societal satire that is “The Boondocks,” one character stands out like a sea of tranquility amid a storm of chaos: Sarah DuBois. As the quintessential “voice of reason,” she often becomes the grounding force that tethers the show’s wild antics to reality.
Family
- Unnamed Grandmother
- Tom DuBois (husband)
- Jazmine Freeman (daughter)
- Huey Freeman (son-in-law)
- Hayden Freeman (granddaughter)
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A Celebration of Subtlety
If Huey’s revolutionary spirit, Riley’s rebellious swagger, or Granddad’s old-school wisdom is the adrenaline rush in “The Boondocks,” then Sarah DuBois is its calming, soothing meditation session. The character has an uncanny ability to transform even the wildest of scenarios into a moment of relatable human experience.
Amid the prevailing themes of social criticism and lampooning, Sarah DuBois stands as an example of the ordinary citizen: well-intentioned, often oblivious, but not unremarkable.
Through her, we are reminded of our quirks and the often comedic nature of our societal engagements. Moreover, her character is a stark contrast, sometimes a counterweight, to the radical characters that inhabit Woodcrest.
The Voice of Reason Amid The Absurd
It’s in the face of the absurd, a frequent visitor in “The Boondocks,” where Sarah’s role shines the brightest. Her rational, measured responses provide a refreshing counterpoint to the series’ often hyperbolic and outrageous events.
She’s the voice of reason, whispering sanity into the ears of the audience while navigating through the wild, unpredictable waters of the show’s plot.
One such moment comes when she calmly dissuades Tom from buying an overly expensive and unnecessary security system after he becomes obsessed with home security. Her pragmatism amidst the hysterics makes her a beacon of common sense, often highlighting the show’s underlying commentary on societal extravagance and paranoia.
Sarah’s Personality
Sarah displays a friskier and more lowkey attitude than Tom, straining their relationship at times – such as when he refused to “lighten up” and have a “little extra wine” on their anniversary due to his prison rape phobia in “A Date With The Health Inspector.”
Though it might appear that Sarah has little to no respect for Tom, even seeming to “regret” marrying him, she genuinely loves him. Her worry surfaced when prisoners nearly attacked him.
Within the marriage, Sarah dominates, reigning as the authority in the household.
She even shows a self-centered side, openly flirting with other men like Usher, knowing it upsets Tom. The implication that Sarah had an encounter with Barack Obama adds more complexity to her character in “It’s a Black President, Huey Freeman.”
As a liberal and fiercely political figure like her husband, Sarah actively focuses her efforts against conservative parties. Her attitude towards her interracial marriage is unusually casual, and she even jokes about it when Tom faces mockery and attacks for it.
Tom and Sarah DuBois
Sarah openly loves Tom, but her frustration bubbles up due to his lack of confidence, uptight attitude, and inflexibility. She even appears to fantasize about stronger, successful black men like Usher.
Yet, she shows concern for her husband at critical moments, such as in the episodes “A Date With the Booty Warrior” and “The Fried Chicken Flu.”
In the episode “Tom, Sarah and Usher,” a flashback shows Tom and Sarah in a sexual encounter. While Tom ends up exhausted and sweaty, Sarah calmly reads on the other side, glasses on, without any signs of fatigue.
DuBois Family
The DuBois family from “The Boondocks” is an intriguing mixture of different personalities and traits, creating an entertaining and thought-provoking dynamic.
Here’s a closer look at the family:
Tom DuBois
Tom DuBois is an assistant district attorney and a quintessential worrywart. His fear of being sent to prison and getting attacked is a recurring joke throughout the series, creating both severe and comedic moments. Tom’s personality often leads to tensions within the family, especially with his more easy-going and adventurous wife, Sarah.
Sarah DuBois
As we’ve already discussed, Sarah is a character who embodies calm and reason but isn’t without her complexities. Her liberal viewpoints and occasional dissatisfaction with Tom’s timid nature are at the heart of many storylines in the show.
Jazmine DuBois
Jazmine, the young daughter of Tom and Sarah, is a character that often reflects innocence and naiveté. Her biracial identity is explored throughout the series, and she often struggles understanding her cultural background.
Her relationship with Huey Freeman, one of the main characters of “The Boondocks,” helps her navigate her confusion. Huey’s more cynical worldview clashes with Jazmine’s innocence, creating a unique and endearing dynamic.
The DuBois Family Dynamic
The DuBois family often acts as a counterpoint to the more radical Freeman family. They represent a middle-class, suburban lifestyle, with concerns and problems that contrast sharply with those of the Freemans.
Their interactions and how they deal with race, class, and culture issues provide a microcosm of broader social dynamics. The DuBois family’s more conventional lifestyle clashes and intertwines with the Freemans’ alternative perspectives, and their interactions make for some of the most engaging parts of the series.
Allies
Family:
- Tom DuBois
- Jazmine DuBois
Friends:
- Robert Freeman
- Huey Freeman
- Usher
- Ebony Brown
- Pretty Boy Flizzy
Appearances
Season 1
- “The Trial of R. Kelly” (debut appearance)
- “A Date with the Health Inspector”
- “The Itis”
Season 2
- “Tom, Sarah and Usher”
- “Stinkmeaner Strikes Back”
- “Ballin'” (silent cameo)
- “The Uncle Ruckus Reality Show” (mentioned)
Season 3
- “It’s a Black President, Huey Freeman”
- “The Red Ball” (silent cameo)
- “Stinkmeaner 3: The Hateocracy”
- “A Date with the Booty Warrior”
- “The Lovely Ebony Brown”
- “The Fried Chicken Flu”
Season 4
- “Pretty Boy Flizzy”
- “Good Times” (silent cameo)
- “Freedomland” (mentioned)
- “I Dream of Siri” (silent cameo/final appearance)
