‘The Simpsons’ Finally Responds to Accusations That Apu Is a Racist Stereotype
“Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?”
The Simpsons‘ Apu has come under fire recently, notably after Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu made a documentary exploring how the character is based on and perpetuates stereotypes.
At last, The Simpsons has responded to The Problem With Apu, in a bit that its critics are calling “completely toothless.”
In the recent episode “No Good Read Goes Unpunished,” Lisa Simpson references the controversy next to a framed photo of Apu, which bears the phrase “Don’t have a cow, man.”
#TheSimpsons completely toothless response to @harikondabolu #TheProblemWithApu about the racist character Apu:
"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect… What can you do?" pic.twitter.com/Bj7qE2FXWN
— soham (@sohamberlamps) April 9, 2018
“Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?” Lisa says.
Kondabolu, who brought the criticisms to the fore, was not happy with the sketch.
“Wow. ‘Politically Incorrect?’ That’s the takeaway from my movie & the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad,” Kondabolu wrote on Twitter.
Wow. “Politically Incorrect?” That’s the takeaway from my movie & the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad. https://t.co/lYFH5LguEJ
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
In “The Problem with Apu,” I used Apu & The Simpsons as an entry point into a larger conversation about the representation of marginalized groups & why this is important. The Simpsons response tonight is not a jab at me, but at what many of us consider progress.
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
His documentary explored the impact of the character of Apu on Indian Americans, at a time when there were no other Indian characters on television.
It also brought attention to that Apu is voiced by actor Hank Azaria, who is white.
“I think the documentary made some really interesting points and gave us a lot to think about and we really are thinking about it,” Azaria previously told TMZ.
“Definitely anybody that was hurt or offended by it, or by any character or vocal performance, it’s really upsetting that it was offensive or hurtful to anybody.”
“I think it’s an important conversation worth having,” he added. “We’re still thinking about it. It’s a lot to digest.”
It seems the conversation is not yet over.
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