Is Apu from the Simpsons racist?

Apu Nahasapeemapetilon fits a certain stereotype for Indians as a Convenient Store owner, along with Telecommunications Customer Service Reps, Snake Charmers,
and they all worship Kali Ma like Mola Ram in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

 

I agree

It’s not like any of the other Simpsons townspeople are ethnic stereotypes too. Like Cletus the redneck, the Bumblebee Guy, Luigi, and Groundskeeper Willie. Why get offended by Apu but not any of these characters?

It’s schoolmarms like this who get off on being offended by anything politically incorrect, that caused just enough people to hold their noses and vote for Trump. Which created the world we now live in today.

Bill Maher warned you all not to take PC nannying too far. NOw look what you’ve all done

 

Rules go the way of both opinions

Look at the post of a mod. So discussions of that topic not here. Pretty common theme on here for the man to be in every topic from his supporters and I only bring it up because a mod has. We have a whole forum for that saltiness.

 

Lol you poor thing

 

It was so dumb, about a machine that reverses the direction the toilet flushes

 

Bollywood is one big stereotype anyway, why do they have to have 100 people dancing in like every movie, doesnt that get old fast?

 

Apu is Indian isn't he?

 

Maybe. I haven't seen the show since who knows when. I don't have TV; well, I have one but it's not connected to anything but a DVD player. So, I watch X-Files reruns on DVD for now (until the library runs out of seasons lol) and a different movie every night. I stay entertained. Whatever news is on the web or on the TVs at the gym is the only news update I get. So "The Simpsons" is never on. I could probably find some at the library though.

I think he is Indian, so I perhaps should have checked first before lumping the Middle East into one group like that. My apologies.

 

He may be a racial stereotype or used to hang racial stereotypical jokes on but that's not a problem. Soulcompromise, if you feel different about that, i would like you to adequately explain why.
Does a comedy need to display every ethnic minority nonstereotypical? No, not at all. Its a comedy/parody on american society and clichés for christ sakes.

I strongly disagree that comedy has to be subjected to this principle.
Yes, a lot of americans seem to have a disturbed worldview and think in stereotypes, and yes, regularly to a nonsensical and problematic degree. But no, that does not mean you can't show this or make fun of it in any way on tv or in other media, or just in jokes in public (although with the latter the exact joke and your audience can matter).

People are too busy with 'is something racist', wether its in a wellment comedy like the freaking Simpsons (which makes fun of an existing situation in your society, which it is ment to do) or actual discrimination. Discrimination = bad. Making fun of our societies quirks is not. Even if it involves racial stereotypes.

Because americans have a prejudiced view on certain kind of immigrants (agreed) the character of Apu in the Simpsons is problematic? No way. Disagreed. Maybe if you think the meaning of comedy is to install a nuanced worldview in american citizens. Or that that's the purpose of tv. I can go along with that its one way tv and other media can be used. But it can and should also be used for witty and unrestricted comedy, which often in their own way makes people think as well and can be full of excellent criticism on aspects in society.. without walking on moral eggshells. I love it. That's how it should be. Good comedy doesn't tell people what to do or think, or leaves 'dubious' thoughts and mindsets out of their show. It plays with them. Like the Simpsons does with Apu

 

I consider myself 'well meaning' in regards to the matter of Apu from The Simpsons. But there's racist humor involved to be sure, and that is something that I'm against.

 

Goddamnit MeAgain, you made the point im trying to make with much less sentences

 

The road to hell is paved with good intentions

 

Thank you, come again

 

Way I see it, shows like The Simpsons and Family Guy can get away with this stuff because they make fun of everybody. Including themselves. Especially Family Guy.

 

Too bad Family guy often acts like any offending remark is a good joke. Hey, i don't mind a good joke being offensive. But it has to be good you know, like witty, or creative or original in some way. Otherwise its just like making a thread called Women should get back in the kitchen and act like you were using good humour to illustrate some truthbomb

 

Family Guy jokes are hit or miss. Sometimes they are funny and witty, other times just juvenile and petty.

 

Nah that's just being a pussy.

@machinist

 

My experience is they try to make too many, and often get the feeling the bad ones get excused by the good one. But if i get annoyed by the bad ones (because they're lame, stale, unoriginal, too easy etc.) I don't enjoy a show or the good joke in full extent. That's why its worthless comedy to me. They don't time their jokes.

 

Soulcompromise, i hope you get the real meaning of this proverb. Just because you're coming from good intent/are well meaning doesn't mean your preference of how the Simpsons should handle a character like Apu is the best one (not even for american Indians)