The Simpsons Star Hank Azaria Apologizes For Offensive Apu Voice
Actor and comedian Hank Azaria, who voiced Apu on The Simpsons for decades, has apologized for his offensive interpretation of South Asians. Throughout its record-breaking run, the hit animated sitcom has produced an astounding number of beloved characters, but controversy has also followed the series since its first season.
While the controversies that The Simpsons has been involved in were typically related to short-lived taboo issues, the creation of South Asian Kwik-E-Mart proprietor, Abu Nahasapeemapetilon, was one controversy that only grew over time. The character itself is so downright charming, funny and kind that for so long many people felt Azaria’s take on a South Indian accent was just harmless fun. The series itself made no attempts to change up its approach to the cultural stereotypes that Apu was built on until recently. This change in direction could be attributed to many growing factors, but one of the biggest forces for change was the 2017 documentary by comedian Hari Kondabolu, The Problem With Apu. The film explored Kondabolu’s feelings about Apu as both an Indian man and Simpsons fan.
Though Azaria officially stopped voicing the character of Apu last January, it seems as though the Simpsons veteran is now truly beginning to understand Apu’s impact. As The Wrap reports, Azaria is apologizing for his time spent as Apu, as well as for helping to create the character in the first place. Admitting that part of him feels as though he should apologize to every single South Asian person in America, Azaria stated:
I really do apologize. It’s important. I apologize for my part in creating that and participating in that. Part of me feels like I need to go to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologize. And sometimes I do.
For some, Azaria’s apology will undoubtedly feel too little too late. An entire generation has grown up watching Apu, and in this respect, damage has been done. At the same turn, however, Azaria’s apology comes at a time in America when race relations feel particularly fractured. Simply acknowledging that he was wrong is a strong step in the right direction for Azaria and The Simpsons, but an apology isn’t going to undo cultural stereotypes that characters like Apu have helped to perpetuate for decades. Perhaps the most unfortunate aspect of Apu’s existence is that the character has always had so much more to offer viewers but has consistently been relegated to the status of goofy convenience store owner.
While there doesn’t seem to be any reason to doubt the sincerity of Azaria’s apology, it does seem that he still doesn’t fully understand the extent of the damage that Apu has caused. Admitting that part of him feels the need to apologize to “every single Indian person” in America neglects the fact that The Simpsons is broadcast all over the world, meaning that it isn’t just Asian-Americans who might feel bothered or offended by Apu. Hopefully in time Azaria will do what needs to be done to make amends for a character that has been the thorn in the side of an otherwise spectacular animated series.
Source: The Wrap