He is one of the most famous Indians on the planet but he isn't voiced by an Indian? So following years of criticism that the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon pushed negative South Asian stereotypes, The Simpsons finally addressed the controversy this week.
In a recent episode of The Simpsons, mum Marge is seen reading a book to her daughter Lisa in which she refers to the heroine as a "cisgender girl".
Lisa notes that the character as such is "already evolved" and "doesn't really have an emotional journey to complete," so as such there's "no point" to the book.
Marge asks, "Well what am I supposed to do?" Lisa turns to the camera and says: "It's hard to say. Something that started a long time ago decades ago, that was applauded and was inoffensive, is now politically incorrect. What can you do?"
She then looks at a framed photograph of Apu on her nightstand which is inscribed with the message "Don't have a cow." But many thought writers didn't go far enough.
Hari Kondabolu produced a documentary last year, saying the character was founded on racial stereotypes.
In 'The Problem with Apu', he said Apu was one of the only representations of South-East Asians on US television when he was growing up and other children imitated the character to mock him.
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#TheSimpsons completely toothless response to @harikondabolu #TheProblemWithApu about the racist character Apu:
— Soham (@soham_burger) April 9, 2018
"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect... What can you do?" pic.twitter.com/Bj7qE2FXWN
I wish the Simpsons writers had some idea of how shitty they made the childhood & teenage years of so many brown kids. The show turned our parents into punchlines. We never clapped. Apu was a cheap joke in an otherwise clever show. How hard would it be to admit that? https://t.co/f3rgT1RYP0
— Erika H. (@DrCanonic) April 9, 2018
The Simpsons goes after politically correct critics, singling out "The Problem With Apu” https://t.co/4QRHsUJnd9 pic.twitter.com/HZRYPWoqaI
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) April 9, 2018
Hey so I love the Simpsons but Apu is absolutely a problematic caricature and the show has plenty of other issues. Do NOT fucking act like your fave is above all this nonsense, esp a 90s show.
— 🍑thotbot🤖 (@feminazgul) April 9, 2018
But others did not think there should be an issue.
outrage over @TheSimpsons is crap. Apu is probably as old or older than most people bitching about the character. So we get rid of a staple character for what? I guess we should lose all the stereotypes- groundskeeper Willy, Luigi Risotto, and Cletus? Where’s the outrage for them
— GrievousError (@ErrorGrievous) April 9, 2018
I remember when the #TheSimpsons did that Australia episode based entirely on stereotypes. We were all drunk yobbos. It was really funny.#Apu is university educated, a small business owner and a devoted family man. #Apu is depicted far better than we were.
— Skill Up currently reviewing God of War (@SkillUpYT) April 9, 2018
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel