Current Events > Joe Rogan: Akaash Singh's Defense of Apu

(+) Yeah! (+)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5pVVmcSXVU

People dont understand the criticism of Apu. It wasnt simply this is racist get rid of it!its that he was perpetuating a stereotype that affected people. It goes hand in hand with all the call center employee memes and bobs and vegene or whatever. When people think Indian person they think about the thick accent and all that. For awhile thats the only role a lot of Indian people could get, or thats the only type of person they were looking for, (like the dude in Big Bang theory). They werent saying get rid of him. They were just trying to educate people and make them understand that Indian people, actors, entertainers are more than the Apu stereotype.

But people just heard the problem with apu and instantly thought it was just about cancel culture.

Joe Rogan just apologized claiming he isnt racist. And the very next day brings on someone that defends a character that reinforced racial stereotypes lol.

joe rogan's 2 favorite things are disinformation and racism

Anyone else find the timing ironic in light of his recent issues?

Apu is a successful business man, owns a bunch of quickie Marts, is rolling in cash, is an intellectual and a ladies man. Why are people bitchin

Didn't Azaria retire the character 3-4 years ago?

My beef with Apu isn't the character itself. It's that there are so few roles for Asians as it is in Hollywood, and they couldn't even get an Asian to voice an Asian character. It's not like Asians get roles voicing non-Asians very often. Things are getting better, but that's my only objection to Apu. I don't have anything against Hank Azaria himself.

The problem with Apu isn't so much how the Simpson's treated him, he got more or less the same caricature treatment anyone on that show gets, it's that for years Apu was like the only prominent Indian character on TV. It made his characteristics much more prominent than say...Groundskeeper Willie. Even if the two weren't treated terribly different.

VipaGTS posted...

People dont understand the criticism of Apu. It wasnt simply this is racist get rid of it!its that he was perpetuating a stereotype that affected people. It goes hand in hand with all the call center employee memes and bobs and vegene or whatever. When people think Indian person they think about the thick accent and all that. For awhile thats the only role a lot of Indian people could get, or thats the only type of person they were looking for, (like the dude in Big Bang theory). They werent saying get rid of him. They were just trying to educate people and make them understand that Indian people, actors, entertainers are more than the Apu stereotype.

But people just heard the problem with apu and instantly thought it was just about cancel culture.

BS

VipaGTS posted...

People dont understand the criticism of Apu. It wasnt simply this is racist get rid of it!its that he was perpetuating a stereotype that affected people. It goes hand in hand with all the call center employee memes and bobs and vegene or whatever. When people think Indian person they think about the thick accent and all that. For awhile thats the only role a lot of Indian people could get, or thats the only type of person they were looking for, (like the dude in Big Bang theory). They werent saying get rid of him. They were just trying to educate people and make them understand that Indian people, actors, entertainers are more than the Apu stereotype.

But people just heard the problem with apu and instantly thought it was just about cancel culture.

Compsognathus posted...

The problem with Apu isn't so much how the Simpson's treated him, he got more or less the same caricature treatment anyone on that show gets, it's that for years Apu was like the only prominent Indian character on TV. It made his characteristics much more prominent than say...Groundskeeper Willie. Even if the two weren't treated terribly different.

AngelsNAirwav3s posted...

Apu is a successful business man, owns a bunch of quickie Marts, is rolling in cash, is an intellectual and a ladies man. Why are people bitchin

The last post is much closer to being correct than the first two.

The Simpsons dedicated an entire episode to Apu being the most desirable bachelor in Springfield by a mile. Then he got married, had a bunch of kids, and continually got treated with much more depth than the majority of characters on the Simpsons.

It's like no one who complained about Apu ever watched the show. The Simpsons was absolutely filled with stereotypes and caricatures racially or otherwise.

Groundskeeper Willie was probably one of if not the worst treated characters on the show. And to be fair, that was often done to hilarious effect. No one cared about Groundskeeper Willie LOL.

Compsognathus posted...

The problem with Apu isn't so much how the Simpson's treated him, he got more or less the same caricature treatment anyone on that show gets, it's that for years Apu was like the only prominent Indian character on TV. It made his characteristics much more prominent than say...Groundskeeper Willie. Even if the two weren't treated terribly different.

I agree.

The problem isn't with apu, it's with producers and casting agents that didn't give "default" roles to non-white people.

Casting should be much more race blind. If race isn't a major part of the character, the casting agent/producer should make the role open to all races.

Just like how the gender of Ripley in alien wasn't a huge important part so they gave it to a female and we got one of the first and best leading female action stars.

TommyG663513 posted...

The last post is much closer to being correct than the first two.

yea, because when most people think Apu they instantly think "successful business man" and not "funny accent guy who owns a 7/11, a very common joke/stereotype people use against indian people". this isn't about the Simpsons, its about public perception. Most people see him as a caricature that perpetuates their already preconceived notions about indian people.

VipaGTS posted...

yea, because when most people think Apu they instantly think "successful business man" and not "funny accent guy who owns a 7/11, a very common joke/stereotype people use against indian people". this isn't about the Simpsons, its about public perception. Most people see him as a caricature that perpetuates their already preconceived notions about indian people.

No your post was bad.

People who actually watched the show know the character or Apu. I don't care what some random person who kind of sort of heard of him thought. The character should have barely registered in their brains. It also stands to mention, of all the various caricatures on the Simpsons with varying degrees of racism then why is this the only one people care about?

The show is called the Simpson's not The Apu, at the end of the day he's a side character and its not like every episode revolved around him. People need to calm the fuck down and look at real racism. Why is this being brought up now it makes no sense.

So I guess what Tommy is saying is that Indians should be happy with the representation they got and shut up about it.

Being typecast because of your race is pretty messed up if you think about it at all

The whole controversy around Apu was fucking stupid.

CyricZ posted...

So I guess what Tommy is saying is that Indians should be happy with the representation they got and shut up about it.

That isn't at all what I said. Take your bad faith and leave this topic.

ChopinList posted...

Joe Rogan just apologized claiming he isnt racist. And the very next day brings on someone that defends a character that reinforced racial stereotypes lol.

I mean... after apologizing for the misinformation episodes, he posted fake news about Ivermectin a few hours later.

Ahsuis-shia-d51 posted...

My beef with Apu isn't the character itself. It's that there are so few roles for Asians as it is in Hollywood, and they couldn't even get an Asian to voice an Asian character. It's not like Asians get roles voicing non-Asians very often. Things are getting better, but that's my only objection to Apu. I don't have anything against Hank Azaria himself.

Akaash joked in his new special that he preferred it when Apu was voiced by a white guy because white people say that foreigners take all the jobs away from them in America and Apu was one instance where he could say that wasnt the case

I don't blame some of you for not understanding what the problem is. It took me a hot minute to understand the problem too. I'll try to explain it as best I can what the problem is.

The problem isn't directly Apu or The Simpsons. The problem is when people think of Indian people, they think of Apu and no one else. And they don't care for his success and positive traits either. People know him as the "Thank you come again" person and that's it, so they know Indian people for that only. Do you guys understand that it's bad to think of a whole group of people are all nothing but Apu's?

Veggeta_MAX posted...

I don't blame some of you for not understanding what the problem is. It took me a hot minute to understand the problem too. I'll try to explain it as best I can what the problem is.

The problem isn't directly Apu or The Simpsons. The problem is when people think of Indian people, they think of Apu and no one else. And they don't care for his success and positive traits either. People know him as the "Thank you come again" person and that's it, so they know Indian people for that only. Do you guys understand that it's bad to think of a whole group of people are all nothing but Apu's?

If you get your opinions of Indian people from a cartoon then I don't know what to tell you.

People treat media depictions way too seriously.

So many people these days sound like moms from the 90's complaining about Pokemon and Harry Potter. Media depictions in anything have some effect, but that effect is dramatically overstated by those who take issue with them.

Veggeta_MAX posted...

I don't blame some of you for not understanding what the problem is. It took me a hot minute to understand the problem too. I'll try to explain it as best I can what the problem is.

The problem isn't directly Apu or The Simpsons. The problem is when people think of Indian people, they think of Apu and no one else. And they don't care for his success and positive traits either. People know him as the "Thank you come again" person and that's it, so they know Indian people for that only. Do you guys understand that it's bad to think of a whole group of people are all nothing but Apu's?

maybe in a vacuum

But its Simpsons

Willie, Homer, Cleetus, Bumblebeeman

They're all stereotypes.

If anything I'd say Cleetus is more harmful than Apu.

It seems strange to single him out and go "Indians are too weak and unstable to handle a joke unlike everyone else."

I have no real dog in this fight, I don't watch modern Simpsons. I just don't buy the logic that stereotypes would stop existing if comedies making fun of the stereotypes are banned.

I also don't think there's anything wrong with voice actors performing other races so long as they are good voice actors

Christ Bart has always been voiced by a girl and no one cares

TommyG663513 posted...

If you get your opinions of Indian people from a cartoon then I don't know what to tell you.

People treat media depictions way too seriously.

So many people these days sound like moms from the 90's complaining about Pokemon and Harry Potter. Media depictions in anything have some effect, but that effect is dramatically overstated by those who take issue with them.

It doesn't matter if YOU alone don't take it from that from Apu. The problem is society does.

UnfairRepresent posted...

maybe in a vacuum

But its Simpsons

Willie, Homer, Cleetus, Bumblebeeman

They're all stereotypes.

If anything I'd say Cleetus is more harmful than Apu.

It seems strange to single him out and go "Indians are too weak and unstable to handle a joke unlike everyone else."

I have no real dog in this fight, I don't watch modern Simpsons. I just don't buy the logic that stereotypes would stop existing if comedies making fun of the stereotypes are banned.

I also don't think there's anything wrong with voice actors performing other races so long as they are good voice actors

Christ Bart has always been voiced by a girl and no one cares

Again, you don't seem to understand the problem here. People don't look at every Spanish speaking person and auto think "oh that's Pedro "The Bubblebee man"".

They do with Apu when they think of Indian people. This isn't about making fun of a stereotype or race.

Can someone please explain to me again why we suddenly care what the least funny guy from NewsRadio thinks?

Veggeta_MAX posted...

It doesn't matter if YOU alone don't take it from that from Apu. The problem is society does.

Again, you don't seem to understand the problem here. People don't look at every Spanish speaking person and auto think "oh that's Pedro "The Bubblebee man"".

They do with Apu when they think of Indian people. This isn't about making fun of a stereotype or race.

No not really. I've met quite a few Indian people in my life and I would imagine anyone living in or near a big city probably has too.

You're acting like people only ever see Indian person in media or that our opinions of people are only based on media depictions.

Tommy very excited to tell us there is, in fact, no issue to be addressed here, and if there were it's not worth addressing.

Veggeta_MAX posted...

Again, you don't seem to understand the problem here. People don't look at every Spanish speaking person and auto think "oh that's Pedro "The Bubblebee man"".

They do with Apu when they think of Indian people. This isn't about making fun of a stereotype or race.

Dude, there are tons of people with Indian/Pakistani accents in the communities. And its usually in jest within the communities themselves to use that voice.

Hell look at Citizen Khan. That show was loved by asian communities and the guy takes the proper piss out of the accent and culture.

Citizen Khan came out in 2012 and also was British.

Simpsons came out over 20 years prior.

CyricZ posted...

Citizen Khan came out in 2012 and also was British.

Simpsons came out over 20 years prior.

Also Citizen Khan wasnt portrayed by a white guy on a show produced exclusively by white guys.

This is the big problem people are glossing over.

who needs a kwiky mart

who needs
a kwiiiiky
marrrrtt

I iiiiiiiii

dooooo

Guys it's not 9am yet, not time for daily outrage

McMarbles posted...

Also Citizen Khan wasnt portrayed by a white guy on a show produced exclusively by white guys.

This is the big problem people are glossing over.

They call it acting for a reason.

Again, would it be nice for more asians to be in the entertainment industry? Yes of course. But we don't have people whining about white people or black people being in Bollywood.

These outrages seem to be a problem mostly within the western industries. Of course Bollywood has its own problems (including their fans).

TommyG663513 posted...

No not really. I've met quite a few Indian people in my life and I would imagine anyone living in or near a big city probably has too.

You're acting like people only ever see Indian person in media or that our opinions of people are only based on media depictions.

Again, just because YOU are capable of knowing not all Indian people are Apu doesn't mean the majority don't. Trust me I'd also like to believe that most people don't default think of Apu when they think of Indian people cause then they'd be no issue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7s7YR9wS8eg

best simpsons

SpiritSephiroth posted...

But we don't have people whining about white people or black people being in Bollywood.

People don't watch Bollywood portraying a White guy and then go "Oh that's how all White people are. They all act like this one White guy I've seen in this movie".

Veggeta_MAX posted...

Again, just because YOU are capable of knowing not all Indian people are Apu doesn't mean the majority don't. Trust me I'd also like to believe that most people don't default think of Apu when they think of Indian people cause then they'd be no issue.

Except when I think of an Indian/Pakistani guy fresh off the boat, I usually think of the accent Apu has. And its not necessarily a bad thing. We don't see it negatively, its only when outrage like this occurs that people tend to overreact. Its such a disservice to asian communities when Apu himself encompassed a whole generation of Asians working in the west.

Veggeta_MAX posted...

People don't watch Bollywood portraying a White guy and then go "Oh that's how all White people are".

What?

SpiritSephiroth posted...

Except when I think of an Indian/Pakistani guy fresh off the boat, I usually think of the accent Apu has. And its not necessarily a bad thing. We don't see it negatively, its only when outrage like this occurs that people tend to overreact. Its such a disservice to asian communities when Apu himself encompassed a whole generation of Asians working in the west.

Why do you guys keep thinking people share your opinion? LMAO.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

But we don't have people whining about white people or black people being in Bollywood.

-_-

Do you know why it's called Bollywood?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5xA21Qoxaw

SpiritSephiroth posted...

What?

This pretty much tells me you guys aren't able to understand how society views Indian based on Apu. You're looking it through your own eyes and your own experience and think that's how the world works only.

I'm really sorry to tell you guys this but the world don't revolve around you.

Veggeta_MAX posted...

Why do you guys keep thinking people share your opinion? LMAO.

I usually see white people, or the west reacting to something Asians rarely have a problem with. Only then when the outrage starts people look into things that probably wasn't even offensive to them in the beginning anyways.

You keep talking about opinions but I don't think you even know what these communities themselves even think.

CyricZ posted...

-_-

Do you know why it's called Bollywood?

You're speaking to someone whos dad has Bollywood blasting every single day in his livingroom.

Veggeta_MAX posted...

This pretty much tells me you guys aren't able to understand how society views Indian based on Apu. You're looking it through your own eyes and your own experience and think that's how the world works only.

I'm really sorry to tell you guys this but the world don't revolve around you.

Yup, and I'll have some guy who tells me what other people thinks based on HIS own view as well.

A bit hypocritical here dude.

And again, we're talking about comedy. So of course part of a personality trait in a race or gender will be exaggerated to an extent where it may seem ridiculous to some.

Although I think Apu wasn't even that bad from the beginning.

The dude is right though. Most the Simpsons characters are one dimension and exist to mock a trope like Moe the bar guy or Barney the drunk.

Apu actually is 3 dimensional and went beyond the stereotype and voice to become a real character.
Then they canned him and that explains why modern simpsons sucks.
Maybe it is a favor to Apu tbh to remove him so he can only exist in episodes when the show was actually good.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

I usually see white people, or the west reacting to something Asians rarely have a problem with. Only then when the outrage starts people look into things that probably wasn't even offensive to them in the beginning anyways.

You keep talking about opinions but I don't think you even know what these communities themselves even think.

You can only accept your world view and that's fine. I get it.

SpiritSephiroth posted...

Yup, and I'll have some guy who tells me what other people thinks based on HIS own view as well.

A bit hypocritical here dude.

I'm not the one not accepting what the deal is.