They really should have tried harder than this.
The Simpsons episode no.633, titled No Good Read Goes Unpunished, aired in the States on Sunday 8 April.
It revolved around Marge finding an old book that she loved as a child and wanting to pass it on the Lisa, but upon re-reading it, she discovers that by today’s standards, the book is actually incredibly offensive.
Which lead to this interaction between Marge and Lisa…
#TheSimpsons completely toothless response to @harikondabolu #TheProblemWithApu about the racist character Apu:
"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect… What can you do?" pic.twitter.com/Bj7qE2FXWN
— soham (@sohamberlamps) April 9, 2018
If you’re not quite sure what that was all about, then let us bring you back a few months to the release of a documentary titled The Problem With Apu.
In it, an Indian comedian discusses the racial insensitivity that Apu is portrayed in by today’s standards, and how that level of racial stereotyping can be incredibly damaging when it takes place in such a hugely popular show.
The documentary’s director told IndieWire that, “Loving The Simpsons is like loving America, right? So there’s certain things about it I disagree with, so I protest. It’s like the anthem thing, with [Colin] Kaepernick. I’m not saying this is equivalent to it, but I’m saying it’s that kind of public discussion that we’re having.
“Is it OK to criticise things we hold sacred? Isn’t that what makes us good Americans, good Simpsons fans, thoughtful viewers, thoughtful humans, right? So I think that’s definitely a part of it.”
A few months back, it did appear that The Simpsons were going to tackle the issue head-on, with Apu voice actor Hank Azaria telling TMZ that, “I think the documentary did make some really interesting points, and gave us a lot at The Simpsons to think about and we really are thinking about it.”
“Definitely anybody that was hurt or offended by any character or vocal performance (makes it) really upsetting that (it) was offensive or hurtful to anybody. I think it’s an important conversation and one definitely worth having. We’re just really thinking about it and it’s a lot to digest.”
However, the clip seen above did not please viewers, who saw the show as more or less completely dodging the bullet, including the documentary’s director:
https://twitter.com/atsinha/status/983286772489695232
Wow. “Politically Incorrect?” That’s the takeaway from my movie & the discussion it sparked? Man, I really loved this show. This is sad. https://t.co/lYFH5LguEJ
— Hari Kondabolu (@harikondabolu) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/DrCanonic/status/983212695699763201
The Simpsons response to The Problem with Apu: a callous and resentful shrug. pic.twitter.com/8N6XRzNvsi
— William Mullally 🍝 (@whmullally) April 9, 2018
https://twitter.com/SaraJBenincasa/status/983279055762898944
As far as Apu on The Simpsons goes, I remember years ago vaguely thinking that the character seemed offensive and then figuring that since nobody seemed to have said anything, maybe it wasn't. So yeah, Simpsons, people noticed years ago, it's just nobody had a platform.
— x – Kathryn Brightbill 🌩️⚡⛈️ (@KEBrightbill) April 9, 2018
