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Twitter Calls To Remove Apu From The Simpsons

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12 November 2017

By Bronwen

After news broke out a few months ago that comedian Hari Kondabolu is making a documentary about Apu from the Simpsons, the debate about whether the character is racist or not has been ongoing. In the trailer, Kondabolu briefly explains why he believes Apu has been harmful to South Asians in America and the Apu themed abuse they have had directed at them.

However many people don’t have an issue with Apu and some Twitter users have pointed out that most Simpsons characters are based on stereotypes.

Groundskeeper Willie, Cletus Spuckler and Luigi Risotto are all characters based on negative stereotypes.

https://twitter.com/NBrisbon/status/929787832973045760

Even main character Homer Simpson is supposed to be a typical white, American male. He’s obese, work-shy and slightly neglecting of his children at times.

The main issue with Apu seems to be that he was he only South Asian/Indian character in mainstream television when the series first aired. Had there been more characters and public figures in the US media of the same nationality, the stereotype and portrayal may not have had such an impact on the lives of the South Asian Americans who claim to have been affected by the show.

Other Twitter users say that the stereotypical portrayal of Apu actually gave a good impression.

Until the documentary is released, there isn’t much we can do except speculate but it is likely that the 28-year-old series will be ripped to shreds.

 

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