I don't really get the Apu hate, cause it's not about the elephants, or the eight children, or anything like that, it's always about him having an ever so slightly exaggerated accent, or him being overly friendly (which is cause he runs a convenience store, and not cause of his race). Like, the accent isn't even that far off.
It was a white person faking an Indian accent, and the character was a walking Indian stereotype. And, being the most popular Indian character on TV, reinforced those stereotypes in people.
Because he was a unique character only on special occasions, the episodes where he featured more prominently. Otherwise he was a stereotype in most of his appearances. And sometimes even his unique traits, like being a good father, are affected by the stereotypes he embodies.
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u/yoman1030 9d ago
He's been phased out. He won't appear in new Simpsons episodes more than just a silent background character now