He is not black, they are using a bunch of commercialzations and stereotypes. Thus setting the theme for Knuckles.
First they made it seem. He lives on an island like Sonic. I mean the game used themes but it was never so commercial the way it was in Adventure.
He is not black at all. He is suppose to be a cousin of Sonic ( As Enchida are cousins of Hedgehogs ). SEGA took the islander image, and decided to roll with it.
They destroyed the character. In fact that proves how weak Sonic games are.
Okay......If they had kept themes to the level of Sonic-R. I would have no problems. Sonic-R is as good as Sonic music will ever be in the 3d universe so far. If you could find one game that is better then Sonic-R in terms of music, please show me.
I am just guessing some idiot in the US most likely said. Hey lets make knuckles have a Reggae themed background. Then some moron in JP said "Hey lets just make him out to be a typical Sexualized Americanized ( what is hip ) young person".
He lives on a flying island that flops back and forth between dimensions. High above the atmosphere. He does not live in the streets, and goes clubbing.
The first SA game was pretty decent. I will admit, because they kinda BALANCED IT OUT. The second game was failure, not because of the stage designs but because every second their is a theme coming along. What was the final Boss?
A giant Ghost, and I am running around with glasses, a vacation shirt, and knuckles atop my already powerful enough to stop Super Sonic Knuckles; fighting a giant ghost. Of all the bosses they could have; Knuckles fights a giant ghost.
Why not just bring back Zelda Two Wizrobes while your at it.
::GOT::
Speaking of Wizrobes. It is funny how Link becomes lighter, and brighter, and whiter with every single release. I mean why can't they just go back to Zelda 101 and bring back super badarse rugged, permiscuos ( whatever word spell ) Link, where Ganon face is barely shown. Ganon is another problem as well.
::end of GOT::
SA1 > SA2 either way no matter what.