The Problem with Apu
Over the holidays I was surprised to discover there is a big problem with Apu. Comedian Hari Kondabolu has decided the portrayal of an Indian character on the Simpsons is racist and made a documentary along those lines. He has Whoopi Goldberg comparing Hank Azaria's portrayal of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon to a minstrel in black face. Azaria seemed to agree that those calling for his removal from the television show should be listened to and made it sound like there is some discussion along those lines. What do you guys think? Should Apu be forcibly removed from everyone's game along with KEMs or should there be an option for social just warriors to pay donuts to have his character excised from their individual towns? Will probably need to get rid of Sanjay and Manjula as well. I figure a 100 donuts a head ought to cover it.
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I live in Scandinavia, this discussion is going too far, nobody dares to say or do anything now. Always someone who can claim discrimination.
Some people have nothing better to do they go out and hunt for things to be offended about.
I mean he sells really old hotdogs but it's only Homer who eats those anyway.
Hmm, I wonder what will happen when they work out that Mickey mouse, Daffy duck, Roger rabbit etc where voiced by actors too, my goodness what's the world coming too these days, it getting to the point where you dare not speak or look at anyone without fear of offending someone, sad,sad days.
Going to quote my History teacher:
You can't judge history for the context of what we know and believe Now.
Apu has always been voiced this way. It is not Suddenly wrong just because the PC police busted in. It's just historically, the way it was done, and the way it will likely be until the Simpsons ends.
I cannot see them scrapping such a loved character, over such a made up sensitive issue. If the Indian actors didn't throw a fit then, and they don't seem to care now, everyone else needs to Let it go for them lol.
And like it has been pointed out, this is part of what makes comedy- if we can't make fun of anything because we may hurt someones feelings, comedy is destroyed. Its one of Many comedic elements people use- quit being so over sensitive. This is why there are made up articles about "safe zones", things like this that never needed raised as an issue, and now everyone is laughed at for being too sensitive.
Sry, Rant over
You can't do a similarly stereotypical Asian character voicing. Why? Because Asian Americans are historically insulted by that and are on the record as saying so. Apparently they had a bad century or two of being mocked as outsiders and decided this was unsavory. So, if we're seeing another group saying, "uhhhhh, that's enough of this !" , does their timing matter? Does it matter that they didn't protest 19 years ago? But at the same time, nowadays who knows if the actual community of India Americans is upset or if it's just another case of democrats getting offended ON BEHALF of other peoples again. And.... in the vein of Black Lives Matter, is it time for a White People Still Get To Do Stuff movement? (W.P.S.G.T.D.S.) So it's complicated. But so is the Simpsons. They model the world fairly well. Why would India want to opt out and no longer be included in that world while calling it a step forward for diversity? And Apu's family has shown the ability to branch out in various directions, personality-wise. So.....
Sure they can, Evil Shop Keeper, Yakuza Boss, Cookie Kwan, Akira all have stereotypical voicings
Well…. almost everybody
I agree 100%
There are plenty of roles filled by women but how many Indian voices are there? I love Apu and think Hank Azaria is excellent but the lack of representation is a valid complaint.