Hank Azaria to stop voicing Apu?

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So if we disagree with the changes, we're bigots?

No but not recognizing that Apu is very offensive to Indians and denying that makes me question ones thoughts.

they need to think outside the box, have Apu sell to an ET, just think of the plot complications that would ensue

That is what society is nowadays. Everything's racist. In cartoons all characters can stereotype a community, but when it comes to stereotyping the middle-east community, it's very racist and controversal and cartoon characters end up getting changed because of it.

How come I've seen so many American films where a slave/butler is a posh British snob and that is allowed and doesn't offend me?

TBH the show really fell off my radar after season 17.

People still watch The Simpsons?

Matt Groening has finally weighed in:


https://www.msn.com/en-us/tv/news/‘simpsons’-creator-says-of-apu-criticism-‘people-love-to-pretend-they’re-offended’/ar-AAwBGpI?ocid=spartanntp

Hi all.

I know that this topic is pretty much dead, but I just want to weigh in a tad more.

I have noticed that anti-Indian racism is on the rise nowadays. That being said, I'm not sure if Apu is the main cause of this racism. In my opinion, many people are racist towards people of south Asian descent because they just don't understand the history of India.

India is currently in bad shape. A lot of people assume that the country has always been this way. Perhaps that's the real reason why anti-Indian racism is on the rise.

India actually has a very badass history behind it. For example, many people in ancient India were skilled mathematicians. Also, the Ancient Indian army managed to stop Alexander the Great using war elephants.

That's not all. Do you know why Sikhs carry a kirpan? In the early days of Sikhism, Sikhs were often violently persecuted by Muslims. Sikhs believe that it is their duty to protect themselves and others from oppression, which is why they have to carry big, badass knives everywhere.

Perhaps people would appreciate India more if they saw the other side of Indian culture - the badass side.

That is all. Think about that.

The show has many stereotypes. If they do change Apu than it can create a snowball effect.

it takes more imaginative writers to wring humor out of non-stereotypical things.

Please explain how Apu's portrayal is racist and offensive.

If anything is racist, it's the whitewashing that Smithers received early on.

Because everything's racist in this modern day society. All this political correctness has gone too far.

What if there was never any Indian characters to begin with in the Simpsons? Would Indians be complaining that it's racist because there's NO Indian characters?

It's what the world is now. It's OK to stereotype every other race and culture in TV shows, but when it comes to Indian culture, you're suddenly racist.

I know... *sigh*

I keep trying to think of when he might've come off as offensive, but all I can think of were the episodes where he and Lisa were enlightening the masses (TV viewers) on certain points of Indian culture.

But I haven't watched the show since probably the 90s, so I certainly can't speak for every Apu appearance.

it seems the majority of human humor involves the denigration of something or another.

I always thought that if the Simpsons, South Park, et al, were to be doomed, it would be at the hands of some Brent Bozell/Mary Whitehouse-type complaining about “filth” on TV.

I hope brent bozo stays away today. and tomorrow.