Joe90 wrote:
Funny how the only both black and foreign character in the Simpsons becomes so controversial after 30 years of such a great show.
Technically, Apu is "Asian"; but yeah, you have a valid point!Joe90 wrote:
Why is it racist for a white person to voice a black person? Is it racist if a black person voices a white person?
Some consider it racist, others consider it cultural appropriation, and still others consider it wrong for anyone but a south Asian person to voice a south Asian character.Joe90 wrote:
I feel that skin colour shouldn't be focused on as strongly as it is today. That people are just people, black or white.
I whole-heartedly agree. Once humanity gets away from "race" as a social construct, we will all be the better for it.Joe90 wrote:
But I do like the range of diversity the characters in the Simpsons have. Is it racist to make a Scotsman the school janitor?
A white Scotsman, voiced by a white actor, as decided by a bevy of white producers is not racist, even if the Scotsman also drinks heavily, wears a kilt, and plays the bagpipes.Joe90 wrote:
In the newer episodes groundskeeper Willie is apparently really poor. And also aggressive. Ain't this a stereotype against Scotsmen?
Joe90 wrote:
Or do stereotypes not matter as long as they're white?
In a white-dominated industry, stereotypically white people may seem 'normal'. When those 'Redneck' jokes first became popular, I wondered what was so funny about them, because J.Foxworthy was simply describing people with whom I grew up.Joe90 wrote:
What if Apu was originally the groundskeeper/janitor who lived in a shack? Would it be controversial then?
Perhaps even more so.Joe90 wrote:
Yes, before you delete this post please give people a chance to read it and respond. If it does start a flame war then you can delete if you wish. But I'm only trying to educate myself, not bigot against any race. Just give it a chance. I might learn something.
Joe, I think you are one of the good people here.
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