I did read about it and I think you’re missing the point here. It’s not about what he did or didn’t do to prepare about the part, it’s about the way real South Asians feel about the part. The only people’s opinions that matter on that topic are the people who are being impersonated, because they’re the only people who…

Yeah, Jez could have spoken up. They also could have more South Asian representation. They routinely drop the ball on a lot. And? My point stands. People who were offended were being ignored because they didn’t have a voice.

Right. That’s the problem- Apu provides the go-to insult for racists. He’s not providing representation- he’s providing cannon fodder for racists, partially by the fact that he’s got stupid catchphrases in a ridiculous accent that stick in the brain more than anything from any other minority character on the show.

Good question. Luckily there is a documentary exploring that questions.

I totally agree. Could a person be any less hysterical than Hari Kondabolu? He’s clearly a fan who sees a problem that hurts him, and speaks eloquently and calmly about it. He’s hardly frothing with outrage.

Where were all of you in the 28 years before that??!!

It’s an account with only a handful of posts, most on here which at one point uses the phrase “white devils”.

That’s some George Lucas level revisionism there.

Half-Indian, half-white person here. I pass for white, and there have been multiple occasions in my life that I’ve heard white people around me make jokes about Indian people by doing the “thank you, come again!” Apu voice.

From one South Asian to another, your experience and opinions do not represent all of us. I’m quite happy if it is white privilege that has people questioning how they represent and treat us.

Your daily reminder that the United States does NOT have a justice system. We have a legal system. And it is callous as fuck. It continues to trample on the dignity of people everywhere. Especially women and minorities.

“It’s a time in our culture where people love to pretend they’re offended.”

Mr Groening, and others of your ilk, I’d like to tell you a story.

So he had an Indian friend? 

They thought he was a terrible caricature and racist representation. In actuality, the fellow playing Ben Jabituya(Fisher Stevens) went to India and lived there for a while to get the part as authentic as he could.

Yup. Hari and others in the documentary reference having “THANK YOU COME AGAIN!” yelled at them in a threatening way, being called “Apu” and other Apu-adjacent phrases (think: “Who is watching the Quick-e-mart?”)

If an abusive ex posted their partner’s banking info online instead of their body, there’s no question everyone would see it as a serious crime and the ex would be in jail forever. You would think all these libertarians who hold property rights sacrosanct understand that nothing is more your private property than your…

I just don’t understand how anyone can hear Hari’s super clear, very thoughtfully-explained arguments about Apu (which basically boil down to the fact that it’s hurtful to see a caricature of a group underrepresented in media used for cheap jokes) and then just dismiss them with, “ehh, but I like Apu”. At this point…

“it’s a time in our culture where people love to pretend they’re offended”

“I agree politically with everything Hari Kondabolu says up to the point where it inconveniences me in any way.” -Matt Groening