LogFAQs > #911260728

Spam_n_eggs posted...

masterpug53 posted...

The way I understood the controversy when it first came to light, Apu's characterization wasn't the problem; in prime Simpsons era, he was actually a pretty decent and unique Indian representation in media, considering that he could often be the least caricature-y of the cast. The problem was that, since Apu was pretty much the only Indian representation in pop culture at the time, he subsequently became the standard stereotype for how Indian men were viewed and treated in American society. Hell, we had a South Asian kid in high school that we relentlessly nicknamed 'Apu,' and at the time we didn't think anything of it; in obvious retrospect, that was very shitty and marginalizing behavior. So the problem isn't necessarily with Apu himself; the problem is with how jock-itches like I used to be reacted to Apu and treated real life South Asian males as a result.

But of course now the effect has become the cause and this message has been lost, and the correct but more difficult option (change the hearts and minds of white people to not view South Asians as literal cartoon characters) is being ditched for the quick and easy option (wash hands of said cartoon character).

Yeah nobody owes anything to south Asian characters.

Homer is a BAD stereotype of white males and their privilege. Flanders is a BAD stereotype of Christians. Willie is a BAD stereotype of Scottish people. Dont get me started with fat Tony... so Italians are fat monsters huh? Literally fat mobsters with brass knuckles.

Etc etc etc.

But somehow Apu cant have an Indian accent or own a supermarket or else its wrong?

People with empty lives desperately wanna be heard. The public is getting dumb enough to hear them out now. Force a change, whether positive or negative, and you get to feel influential.