Simpsons3 Apu in a Kwik exit
RACE AXE ANGER
CITIZEN Khan star Adil Ray has slammed The Simpsons for axing Indian shopkeeper Apu after a race row.
He said he was “gobsmacked” by the decision to write-out the character who has been behind the counter of Springfield’s Kwik-E-Mart for 28 years in the US cartoon.
The move came after Apu – voiced by white actor Hank Azaria – was branded a racist caricature in a TV documentary.
Adil, 44, tweeted: “What about those of us Asians who loved Apu?
“We recognise that many of us are shopkeepers, but are aware that not all of us are.
“The solution is more varied depictions not less. Regressive. Most of my uncles talk like Apu.
“What do the so-called liberals want? Asian uncles living as stockbrokers living in penthouses? Is that the acceptable face? I’m gobsmacked. Apu out of all of them was the hardworking, family man and proud American.
“I can’t believe America of all places has employed censorship in this way.”
Adil – who was born in Birmingham to a Pakistani dad and Kenyan-Asian mum – said he was taunted with The Black And White Minstrel Show at school.
But he added: “Never wanted TV shows banned.” Sky News presenter Rita Panahi said The Simpsons’ producers were weak to give in to the “crazy mob”.
She said: “Apu, like every other Simpsons character, was a stereotype but he was also positively portrayed as a hardworking, family man.”
The Simpsons’ production company Gracie Films had not commented last night.
RAPPER Stormzy has revealed he didn’t realise getting stabbed wasn’t normal until a trip out of his community in south London.
The grime star, 25, was brought up in Thornton Heath and admits he was knifed several times, including once in the head, before he became famous. What a sad state of affairs. Thankfully, Stormzy is now using his platform as an artist to raise awareness that this is NOT normal.
And with more than 100 people being killed in London this year alone, with dozens of the deaths the result of stabbings, let’s hope people realise things need to change. Now.
Stormzy also revealed one of his childhood pals, Bjorn Brown, died after being stabbed by two men.
He’s not one to shy away from the big issues. He used the Brit Awards as a platform for launching scathing criticism of Prime Minister Theresa May for her alleged inactivity over last year’s Grenfell Tower fire.
Fingers crossed people will sit up and take notice.