Revolutionary
Member

So apparently someone made a documentary called "The Problem With Apu" last year and The Simpsons finally addressed it last night, and the usual suspects aren't happy about it. Here's a write-up from The Hollywood Reporter because I'm too lazy to do one myself: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/simpsons-addresses-apu-stereotype-controversy-1100853
It's worth pointing out the "applauded" part, as Apu's inclusion in the show was indeed applauded at the time when there were very few Indian characters (real or fictional) on American TV.Following recent criticism that the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon pushed negative South Asian stereotypes, The Simpsons addressed the controversy on Sunday's episode.
In the episode "No Good Read Goes Unpunished," Marge and Lisa indirectly discuss the portrayal of Apu. In the scene in question, Marge has edited a new version of The Princess in the Garden, tailoring it to what would be acceptable and inoffensive in 2018. Marge reads the story to Lisa, but the new version is much shorter and lacking in an "emotional journey" for the central character. Both Marge and Lisa then make reference to Apu, with Lisa looking at a picture of the character and saying "something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive, is now politically incorrect. What can you do?"
Last November, the documentary The Problem With Apu explored the problematic nature of Apu and looked at how non-South Asians would use the character's exaggerated mannerisms and catchphrases as slurs or as casual racism.
And here's the full scene in question:
I haven't seen the documentary, but based on what I've read about it today, it seems borderline disingeuous for ignoring the fact that EVERY character in The Simpsons is a caricature. Fat Tony? Groundskeeper Willie? Bumblebee Man? I can go on.
What's your take on this "controversy"?