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W. Kamau Bell took to Twitter following the April 8 episode of “The Simpsons” to criticize the show’s response to the Apu controversy. The Fox animated series has been scrutinized for its stereotypical portrayal of Springfield’s Kwik-E-Mart owner Apu Nahasapeemapetilon. A recent episode found Marge and Lisa alluding to the fact that the show still has no idea what to do with the character.
“It’s hard to say,” Lisa said. “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?” The show then panned to a picture of Apu.
Bell responded on Twitter: “I think the fact that they put this ‘argument’ in the mouth of Lisa’s character, the character who usually champions the underdogs and is supposed to be the most thoughtful and liberal, is what makes this the most ridiculous (as in worthy of ridicule) and toothless response.”
“The ‘argument’ the episode makes is basically things used to better before political correctness when nobody cared about all these groups,” Bell continued. “It ignores the facts that ALL THESE GROUPS ALWAYS CARED ABOUT ALL THESE GROUPS. But these groups’ complaints weren’t respected/supported.”
The comic and television host also referenced his friend, Hari Kondabolu, who wrote and starred in the documentary “The Problem with Apu.” The movie explored the history of “The Simpsons” character and asked South Asian actors, comedians, and more to weigh in on how well the character represents their culture.
You can read Bell’s entire response to “The Simpsons” episode in the Twitter thread below.
The Simpsons, 1989 – 2018 #RIP 😢 https://t.co/FLTsUwFBsQ
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
I think the fact that they put this “argument” in the mouth of Lisa’s character, the character who usually champions the underdogs and is supposed to be the most thoughtful and liberal, is what makes this the most ridiculous (as in worthy of ridicule) and toothless response.
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
My friend @harikondabolu made a beautiful & powerful film. It took guts to do it. He knew he was going after a sacred cow. (Pun intended.) He knew many people would just watch the trailer or see the poster or just hear the title & immediately just hate on it & him.
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
& my friend @harikondabolu had to convince a network to air it even though that network has NOTHING ELSE ON ITS AIRWAVES EVEN CLOSE TO THIS. & Hari included some of the most powerful & respected South Asian Americans to speak their truth, showing that he wasn’t alone on this.
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
I always tell the #UnitedShades crew that comedy can fix any creative issues. That’s what comedy’s for. It can’t fix real world issues. But it can get you out of a creative jam. The Simpson’s, 1 OF THE GREATEST COMEDIES OF ALL TIME, coulda dug deep & wrote their way out of this.
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
I can’t find a recent image of it but just Google image search “Simpson’s writers room”. I think I’m about to crack the case of why The Simpson’s aren’t more sensitive to these issues, Gumshoes! 🙎♂️🙎♂️🙎♂️🙎♀️🙎♂️🙎♂️🙎♂️🙎♂️🙎♀️🙎♂️🙎♂️🙎♂️
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
The “argument” the episode makes is basically things used to better before political correctness when nobody cared about all these groups. It ignores the facts that ALL THESE GROUPS ALWAYS CARED ABOUT ALL THESE GROUPS. But these groups’ complaints weren’t respected/supported.
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
Black people always had to explain why Nigger Jim was named Nigger Jim in Huckleberry Finn to our Black children.That didn’t start when white people noticed how “weird that was” in the 1990’s. 🤔
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
I’m sure South Asian parents who took their kids to see “Annie” in 1982 had to explain to their kids why Punjab, an already problematic “magical” servant, was played by Geoffrey Holder, a Trinidadian-American. Something to the effect of, “We aren’t cast in many movies in the US.”
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
The entire anti-political correctness argument is…
“I don’t get why you’re complaining that your toe was stepped on when I never felt my toe being stepped on… What does me wearing steel toed boots & you not having shoes have to do w/ anything?” – Steel toe boot factory owner
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
It’s even more noteworthy because this is the era that on 1 hand created President Trump & on the other (Black) hand created Black Panther. Art always takes a side. Usually it’s regressive vs. progressive. It’s up to the artists to choose a side. & it’s up to the ppl to buy it.
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
Most importantly if you haven’t already, watch my friend @harikondabolu‘s film. It is amazing, bold, reckless, & important. & I’m not just saying that because I’m in it.
It’s called The Problem with Apu. It’s truly great. My friend’s making a difference.https://t.co/JTxE4qqevn
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
Submitted without further comment.https://t.co/rFPPJbdNbL
— Wakanda Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell) April 9, 2018
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