Balancing Act: Hank Azaria’s apology for voicing Indian character Apu on ‘The Simpsons’ should lead to an honest reckoning on our bias against accents

Hank Azaria’s recent apology for voicing the character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, an Indian-born convenience store clerk on “The Simpsons,” has launched some fascinating discussions that touch on, but also transcend, the role of pop culture in shaping the world we all share. Azaria’s Apu has long come under fire for its stereotypical portrayal of Indian Americans. Stand-up comedian Hari Kondabolu, the son of Indian immigrants, explored the character in a 2017 documentary, “The Problem with Apu.” Kondabolu, who grew up watching and loving “The Simpsons,” has described Apu as, “A cartoon character …

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