badrogue17 wrote:
Don’t know if this previously posted .
Hank Azaria, who voices Apu in The Simpsons, has finally responded to a documentary that has accused the show of racial stereotyping with the character.
Comedian Hari Kondabolu's The Problem with Apu explores South Asian representation, stereotyping, racism and Azaria's accent in his documentary about Springfield's Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
The documentary's producers suggest elements of Apu's character promote racial stereotyping including his arranged marriage, the fact that he has lots of children, and that he is defined by his convenience store.
Azaria has now expressed his sadness that his character may have caused offence to the show's Indian and Indian-American fans.
"I think the documentary made some really interesting points and gave us a lot to think about and we really are thinking about it," the Ray Donovan star told TMZ.
"Definitely anybody that was hurt or offended by it, or by any character or vocal performance, it's really upsetting that it was offensive or hurtful to anybody."
On whether this could potentially lead to changes to the character or the show, the actor went on: "I think it's an important conversation worth having. We're still thinking about it. It's a lot to digest."
Speaking to the BBC, Kondabolu explained: "Of course [Apu is] funny, but that doesn't mean this representation is accurate or right or righteous.
"It gets to the insidiousness of racism… because you don't even notice it when it's right in front of you. It becomes so normal that you don't even think about it."
The documentary, which includes interviews with comedians Whoopi Goldberg and Aziz Ansar, recently aired on TruTV.
I laughed my ass off at the store owner because we all know the stereotype and can relate. Nothing wrong at laughing at that kind of humor.
Bugs Bunny chinaman was funny at the time because people needed a release from the war and the hard times they where going through. Laughter was the best kind of medicine for a sick world.
No excuse for this cartoon. It's not funny and only feeds on the racism and hatred that was going on back then.
The problem is how do you separate the two types of "humor"? You either have to A) write a general rule as to what you can and can not air on TV B) Let the public express their opinion by boycotting your company or not watch the show.
The problem with option A is it is hard to define what is not allowed, so they cast a large net over everything and still can't please everyone. If we banned averything that was offensive to people, we would be left with episodes of leave it to beaver and the Brady Bunch. Give it enough time and I am sure people would find things offensive about those shows.
Option B would be the best answer if everything was equal. The KKK could start up a game show (use your imagination) and it wouldn't get the ratings to survive outside of Alabama. Hillary Clinton could start an money making show about investing in Uranium and it would be atop the T.V. ratings.
I would just keep things as they are and if you don't like it MOVE. You can't ban every little thing that offends people. Grow some balls people!
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