The Simpsons did and didn’t really respond to the Apu stereotype controversy in their new episode. In truth it felt more like they acknowledged it but didn’t do anything or even say anything worthwhile about it. This is an old controversy that’s been going around since back when people used to simply ignore it and push forward, enjoying the comedy and trying not to notice the rather negative connotations that were brought about by characters like Apu and other stereotypes that made their way onto the show. In some ways it seems as though ignoring the issue is not going to make it go away, but then there are the beliefs that have been around for some time and make a great deal of sense.
Where was the controversy when the show first aired the character of Apu? Why was nothing done then? One could claim that it was shuffled off as nothing more than using Apu as a caricature of Indian cultures, though this of course would anger people all the same since it still put a rather negative spin on those people that identify with this culture. But then you could argue that it’s all in fun and isn’t meant to harm the reputation of anyone or be seen as a negative stereotype. Then you might get people who are still offended simply because it’s being brushed off and they feel victimized by it. In this world the one thing that people need to learn quickly and without reservation is that no one is going to satisfy all of the people all of the time. The character of Apu is not indicative of all Indian peoples’, nor is he the epitome of what they are believed to be like. He is a cartoon character that is made up to satisfy the need of a show, nothing more. One might argue that those who would say such things would be offended if their own race was portrayed in a different light, but if a person was smart they would realize that no, they wouldn’t.
Cartoons being used to define people and push forth agendas have become such an issue in society these days that they’ve become less worth watching by the year. It would seem that anywhere a political lean or belief can be used it’s going to be, and anywhere a racial controversy can be brought up it will be. There’s no moving forward by being offended by a cartoon. Intelligent, educated people understand the difference between a cartoon representation and real people, or at least we hope they do. Apu is a funny character on the Simpsons, he is not a rallying point for those that think he represents the Hindus or the Indian peoples that might be offended by his inclusion into the show.
At this point the desire to see people wise up and grow up is still unrealized, but the hope is that more and more individuals will see that cartoons are less than an issue when it comes to controversy.
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