Posted on 04/25/2018 6:33:31 AM PDT by Ennis85
Hank Azaria says he is "willing to step aside" from his role voicing Simpsons character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon.
It follows a documentary made by Indian-American comic Hari Kondabolu that argued the Indian character is based on racial stereotypes.
Speaking on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, theactor said his "eyes have been opened" by the debate and that he never intended to cause offence.
He also distanced himself from the show's controversial response.
Shopkeeper Apu has been part of the long-running animation series since 1990, with Azaria adopting an Indian accent to voice him.
The character is one of several voiced on The Simpsons by Azaria - he is also the voice of Chief Wiggum, Comic Book Guy and bartender Moe Szyslak.
There has been a focus on the portrayal of Apu since Kondabolu's 2017 documentary The Problem with Apu.
The director told the BBC last year that the character was problematic because he is defined by his job and how many children he has in his arranged marriage.
He added Apu was one of the only representations of South-East Asians on US television when he was growing up and that other children imitated the character to mock him.
Azaria told Colbert: "The idea that anyone young or old, past or present, being bullied based on Apu really makes me sad.
"It certainly was not my intention. I wanted to bring joy and laughter to people."
When asked about the future of the character, Azaria said he was open to change and called for the South Asian community to be better represented in the industry.
"I've given this a lot of thought, and as I say my eyes have been opened," he said. "I think the most important thing is to listen to Indian people and their experience with it.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
Got a point there. That’s illiberal. It’s not wrong to be sad about a put-upon humanity, but it’s wrong to make up inapplicable excuses to be sad. Sin brings enough grief of itself.
Absolutely.
The government has no business policing speech.
Maybe I’m naive, but American society is strong enough to hold people accountable for what they say.
One of the most popular guys in my neighborhood is the Indian owner of the convenience store. Always smiling and jovial and working his tail off.
Yeah... I wish these lefty protestors would actually go visit some of the folks they think are getting put down.
It comes from knowing how to be happily humble. This used to also be well known as a Christian virtue.
Dr Nick and Bubmblebee man and Luigi
Just remember the end game of bowing to SJWs:
Get Woke, Go Broke. . .
Get woke on Starbucks coffee
Pathetic.
But he’ll keep taking the money from residuals right?
Yes. Speaking with an accent is racist. And it’s whitey’s fault no matter the circumstance.
Thank you, come again.
Did you see all the outrage from the Scottish people about grounds keeper Willie and his awful stereotypical depiction of them?
Oh yeah, there was none because Scottish people aren’t a bunch of pussies and have a great sense of humor.
Hank Azaria will now give away ALL the money he has made being a stereotype in Hollywood. I guess we will wait a long time for that to happen.
They even hired an Indian actor to play the role.
He goes on and on about his uncle being a "stereotype"
Yet how did the Indian actor portray an American?
He spoke like Eminem.
"Yo, dog, you know you're a stereotype!"
As if Joe-sixpack talks like that.
His nephew was offensive!
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