Is ignoring something you see as a problem the right thing to do? I’d suggest not personally. The right thing to do might have been mention the potential for offence on the thread at least, or to the OP in a polite private message rather than simply ignore it and nip any doubt or ignorance in the bud early doors.
Yes there is always context and nuance. But I'll give another example. I'm a great fan of Muhammad Ali. There was a famous quote by him about his reasons for being against going to war in Vietnam, I'm sure you remember it. It involved the n word.
If any Simpsons characters, surely Apu.
is a good way away from that and is generally used as comedically crass. But it's the internet and we are anonymous people. If Richard little John's using the word we would understand that he was using it in a derogatory way rather than humourous. So I do understand why they take the line they do. It is what it is.
Apu has been taken down already. I've been saying for years there's no way that character would be allowed in a sitcom in the UK in the 90s. Nor do I think there was ever any malicious intention in any of their characters. They use stereotyping for comedy. And due to context it's now deemed unacceptable due to sept 11 and increased racism toward people of Asian origin.
