Hank Azaria's public apology
Hank Azaria has publicly apologised for voicing the Indian character Apu in The Simpsons.
He said he stepped away from the role last year after doing some research into structural racism.
Hank made his apology during a chat with Dax Shepherd and Monica Padman on the Armchair Expert podcast.
He said, "I really do apologise... I know you weren't asking for that, but it's important, you know?"
"I apologise for my part in creating that and participating in that."
Really beautiful and thoughtful episode with Hank Azaria today. One of our favorites to date. Please enjoy @HankAzaria 🍒 pic.twitter.com/xmffa1u9ib
— Armchair Expert Podcast (@ArmchairExpPod) April 12, 2021
Hank continued, "You know, part of me feels like I need to go 'round to every single Indian person in this country and personally apologise. And sometimes I do."
The actor has come under fire for portraying racial stereotypes in the character.
So he did some research, and decided to educate himself on the matter.
He recalled, "It became apparent to me - 'Do I keep voicing this character or not?'"
"And I couldn't make that decision very quickly. I didn't know how to make it."
Hank educated himself
The actor revealed, "I went and learned. I read and I talked to people. I talked to a lot of Indian people."
"I talked to a lot of people who knew a lot about racism in this country," Hank continued, "I took seminars."
The 56-year-old had been playing the character since 1990, before stepping back last year.
He admitted, "I really didn't know any better... I didn't think about it..."
"I was unware of how much relative advantage I had received in this country as a white kid from Queens."
"I didn't think about this stuff because I never had to."
Hank continued, "And there were very good intentions on all of our part and we tried to do a funny, thoughtful character."
"And, just because there were good intentions, doesn't mean there weren't real negative consequences to the thing that I am accountable for."
Hank continues to educate himself, and has joined a group called the Soul Focused Group.
"I'm working with them to actually become a facilitator, a trainer of these seminars. I feel like I have a unique story to offer in my journey with this Apu stuff. So, we're working on that."
Many fans of the show have been expressing their delight over Hank's apology online.
