After Decades of Brownface, South Asians Fight for Better Representation | National Geographic

South Asian Americans are expanding on the success of their immigrant parents, creating a blended cultural identity-and turning the tables on old stereotypes. In recent movies and on television, there’s been an increase in diversity and representation, but it wasn’t always like that. This short video explores how we got from white people in brownface to authentic storytelling and also examines stereotypes that still linger on.
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After Decades of Brownface, South Asians Fight for Better Representation | National Geographic
• After Decades of Brown...
National Geographic
/ natgeo

[@NatGeo]

What are your thoughts on the state of South Asian representation in movies and television?

[@lillieghoast]

People need to learn how to take a joke.. every race is stereotyped in films, etc.🤣 calm down sjw National Geographic

[@CeliaTyree]

Do you guys realize we don't care?

[@CeliaTyree]

I personally came for science, not politics.

[@NeWx89]

Kudos for not disabling the comments.

[@karenjhine]

Let's focus on climate change, not identity politics. Better representation of minorities in entertainment media would be great, but stopping emissions would do way more to help people (including South Asians). Sorry for the whataboutism but maybe a brand like National Geographic should focus on bigger issues like saving the planet.

[@jasminelee8994]

i kinda hate the fact im so insecure about my literal ethnicity. im half nepalese, and i just feel like no one speaks up about racism towards south asia like blm, but just ignore us instead. i lie about my race whenever people ask, saying im from somewhere else in asia like the philippines or something. i just want to feel like people like us, and dont see us as fat hairy smelly weirdos because thats not true.

[@SS-wd5sg]

FAX!!!!!

[@yoongiintheclouds6127]

bestie im also half nepalese you are now my representation

[@rotisserie8444]

This is sad :/ you should be proud of your Nepali heritage. but I agree, we never speak up for ourselves.

[@patrickcampillocastaneda7752]

Well,every ethnic group has its own stereotypes .

[@gamerboyss5310]

i mean to an extent it is bhai

[@LHGaming25]

South Asia is not only India but bangladesh, pakistan,Nepal,Sri Lanka and Myanmar. But for ignorant Americans everyone from subcontinent is indian

[@mamta5335]

just because its famous... im from Pakistan

[@riyana5477]

I’m from Sri lanka

[@semolinalibra]

Lmao I though America was a country

[@sangwoo9065]

@@semolinalibra it ain't?

[@riyana5477]

cold coffee america is a continent

[@burntcookieswithlove]

and to all of you calling us indians separate from Asian, learn geography. EVERY CITIZEN OF ASIAN COUNTRIES IS AN ASIAN

[@SS-wd5sg]

Lol in the states and Canada, Asian aren’t brown. Even the other Asian Americans/Canadians don’t consider south asians, Asian

[@Koshermail]

@@SS-wd5sg Everywhere else in the world, Asian includes South Asian because they are Asian

[@SS-wd5sg]

@@Koshermail yeah I’m aware lmao, I’m from india but when I moved to Canada, when ppl say Asian they’re referring to East Asians not south asians.

[@chikibakaashi5699]

@@SS-wd5sg nobody cares what "canadians" think of other asians.

[@SS-wd5sg]

@@chikibakaashi5699 I'm indian-canadian, I was born in India...

[@uzzaaair7552]

India doesn't represent whole South Asian!

[@yajjhajhria3558]

Yes we do

[@nobodyum249]

Yaj Jhajhria actually no South Asia consists of Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Maldives so you’re wrong and I am Pakistani and I have been mistaken for being Indian, it’s not exactly offensive but it’s not nice when someone doesn’t know your nationality so please think before you speak!! Thank you!!

[@virendersingh-mw7sf]

@@nobodyum249 I think indians and Pakistanis have same colour and facial features , so it's not there fault , as they don't know about you .

[@Sunilpawar-ii8kk]

@@nobodyum249 pakistani is not ethnicity...

[@nobodyum249]

** yes Ik but I was referring to all ethnic groups from Pakistan so I wouldn’t have to say then individually

[@mustavogaia2655]

Not sure if Nat Geo is the best ont to point fingers ai it, after a century of banking on "exotic" places and peoples.

[@skunk12]

Hit em with truth, son.

[@ugnug]

Lol I'm Indian, and I think we are fine lol. Focus on more important stuff. I don't think we need to be focused on, police shooting(police officers getting shot and the other way around) are way more important than apu.

[@ugnug]

But I love this tho.it's so cool

[@retiredshitposter1062]

Listen to Nat-GEO's neo-marxist propaganda.. you're an Indian therefore you're an automatic victim and everyone is racist against you.

[@sunny_disposition]

yeah but what are all these kids with genders studies and african american studies degrees do for a living!?

[@ugnug]

@@sunny_disposition sorry bro, what do u mean?

[@TheSwimpsu99]

Of all things you pick police brutality?!? How about India having the poorest areas in the world, death at birth, and clean water and starving children......you pick police brutality?! You dumb?

[@william_2610]

Pretty sure every Simpsons character plays on a stereotype... isn't that the whole point? Lighten up.

[@bigm2480]

He right you know.

[@MikeNificent]

Lighten up?! Racist Dog whistle! I need my safe space. Now.

[@dertythegrower]

National Geographic again with the half wit SJW subjects.. apu is literally every guy at 711 gas stations.. indians with surname Patel own literally 1000s of 711 marts. Denver, Miami, Detroi, LA.. every city, its A REAL THING, NOT RACISM PREJUDICE.. WAKE UP NG

[@MikeNificent]

@@dertythegrower your sarcasm detector isn't working....

[@ritwiklakhanpal7935]

Yeah but APU is the only one not with yellow skin color rather brown. So consider that too!!!

[@BlackDog2774]

The Simpsons is literally 100% stereotypes.

[@SirClawedfrog]

The whole point of Apu's character is to subvert expectations for the sake of comedy. I mean, he's an Indian guy with a thick accent who works at a convenience store, yet the twist is that he's a very fleshed-out character who goes through a lot of development, and is actually really grounded and down to earth compared to most of the other characters. That's the whole joke. It's not just mindless stereotyping.

[@yusufgazi7]

Sort of but not really

[@DocRealTalk]

@@SirClawedfrog The guy doing his voice literally said the character was suppose to be as insulting as possible. They developed the character as time went on because they saw the backlash coming.

[@moundain4220]

There whole show is steriotype like its okay and they accept it and even make fun of US .

[@DocRealTalk]

@@moundain4220 Making fun of your own culture or race is very different from making fun of a different culture or race. Particularly a minority that has no positive representation in the media. Those stereotypes tend cause far more harm.

[@bobsquare2043]

Homer is a drunk bad husband so let’s talk about stereotypes

[@mustavogaia2655]

Apu seems to be one of the few balanced character in the series.

[@Hedgpig]

Don't forget he's fat and stupid, too.

[@AntoineIbanezgio]

Ikr this is fcking ridiculous national "geographic"

[@elessal]

and the mayor is corrupt and cheats on his wife. the science guy is the stereotypical cartoonish nerd. the comic books guy is the stereotypical fat geek. the jewish clown (literally, no insult intended) is obsessed with making money. apparently, stereotypes in cartoons are bad just when is about ethnic minorities.

[@LocalMultiplex]

and nobody cares about the fat, lazy, donut eating police officer

[@aaronwilson3061]

I love how many people here clearly didn't watch the video and only commented because Apu was in the picture.

[@ravkaur2447]

Now let’s talk about the whitewashing in Bollywood films and soap operas

[@shreyaputhran7646]

Exactly

[@MalluStyleMultiMedia]

😂👍

[@krsna753]

Now let's talk about how Bollywood is not the only film industry in India.

[@joewilson3575]

I thought this was National Geographic video, I suppose I accidentally clicked buzzfeed or vox?

[@flamah10n]

Just whqt i thought... i suspected the Yellow lines.... XD

[@RealMailou]

So true

[@SinoCortez]

I wonder why this same kind of energy isn't directed at Willie. I mean he's a stereotype of a Scottish person. Oh wait, I know why.

[@superscaredcorncutt1202]

Pretty sure there's more representation of South Asians than Scottish people too lol

[@thegreenjarret5184]

No one complains about *Burns* NatGeo is getting more cancerous by the minute.

[@RevanBC]

"Do Not Touch - Willie" ... Good advice.

[@flamah10n]

Yeah we know LOL

[@mmartinisgreat]

Why?

[@jimmywork6285]

We should just quit making movies so we don't offend anyone

[@ciyoduhkriter]

@Ella Blun whats wrong with handsome actors and beautiful actresses?

[@aadyasharma7352]

This reminds me of when the live action Aladdin almost made the actors and actresses do brown face 💀

[@MinecraftVearatThemePlay]

One of the most common stereotypes that i get all the time as a Sri Lankan, is: “Hey, are you Indian?” I mean come on India is not the only south Asian country.

[@ShadowOfNexxus]

I don't even think Indian is an Asian country

[@MinecraftVearatThemePlay]

@@ShadowOfNexxus wdym

[@v.k5417]

Are you sinhalese?

[@MinecraftVearatThemePlay]

@@v.k5417 yes! :D

[@v.k5417]

@@MinecraftVearatThemePlay Do you support what you did to the Tamils?

[@bicky210]

This is called blowing out of proportions. I'm an Indian. People need to stop coming up with agendas like this. We are making the best curries. We know we good. 😉

[@WesternAustraliaNowAndThen]

Mmmmmm curries

[@ARMY_LA-MIGRA]

I wanna try some Indian food now......

[@retiredshitposter1062]

you're not allowed to eat indian food unless youre indian, that's cultural appropriation and blatant racism!!!

[@ciaphascyne8866]

this is no joke the best argument against racism. indian food is amazingly good. cant hate when your belly is full.

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

@Poke Poke Indian people are self aware and realise the joke.

[@gunner2225]

"We lost 19 of our best guys" lmao

[@StreetDrilla]

indians arent even related to 9/11 so it would've been better for an arab to say that. Most of the people in 9/11 were friends of America actually, Saudi Arabs.

[@P-van]

@@StreetDrilla it's not about that but every person who got brown skin or or typically brown will be stereotyped, american dont care what ethincity/nationality you are

[@bySaverio]

Like/dislike ratio is going to be the worst ever recorded on National Geographic channel.

[@Dualitiy]

Na, they've uploaded rubbish like this before. Sadly.

[@Puch_Henke]

hopefully

[@demandred1957]

It's probably already there recheck the stats

[@AnonymousAnonposter]

The video about a muslim female "Iman" had a record of deslikes.

[@Therealtuxedo]

@@Dualitiy rubbish?

[@comicbookguy2326]

stop being so sensitive

[@silverhawk923]

And to you

[@obiwankenobi5769]

What did you think of the venom movie?

[@silverhawk923]

Obiwan Kenobi Why?

[@obiwankenobi5769]

@@silverhawk923 not you that was for comic book guy

[@silverhawk923]

Obiwan Kenobi ah ok. My badness

[@-KillaWatt-]

The SJW culture is ruining everything. What about Grounds Keeper Willie, Fat Tony? Apu isn't brownface. If anything he's representing a group who at a time wasn't represented at all. The Simpsons gave that platform. If you ever watched the Simpsons in the first place you would know Apu is very much Americanized. Even the aspects of Apu that are not Americanized represent his culture well. It's never made fun off. Only argument that could be made is Homer making fun of Vishnu but that was clearly used to highlight Homer's ignorance. I get the feeling the people outraged at Apu don't even watch the Simpsons. Is it the stereotypical accent? If so stereotypes exist for a reason. They are often grounded in truth and thats what liberials don't like facing. The truth.

[@dertythegrower]

Killa Watt The fact of this matter is, its not false.. go to any 711 store in america.. more than half are owned by indians! duh.. they made the stereotype themselves, how pitiful of NatGeo, so wrong..

[@stevonico]

derty QWERTY “...They made the stereotypes themselves.” LOL

[@browngirlinaclownworld2077]

Hinduism has been mocked a few times on The Simpsons, but not nearly as much as Christianity has been. Matt Groening is an atheist. Of course he mocks religion.

[@goldwolf0606]

All non whites go through the same thing.

[@SS-wd5sg]

Not to compare but Indians are the least represented because we ourselves are so divided due to the diversity of South Asia

[@ruby4751]

Most of this progress is only for South Asian MEN, South Asian women still don't get nearly enough representation.

[@mustavogaia2655]

The office example seemed very bad. As I remember Kaling's character was barely related to South Asia - maybe two or three episodes. Not to mention she was one or the series writers- did she brownfaced herself? By those parameters, some other characters were worstly treated by the series.

[@SinginTheDream]

That's the point, she barely made any reference to her South Asian heritage but was expected to perform as an expert on the culture. Kaling used the stereotype to highlight the issue through the comedy.

[@Abdullah-gv3zo]

this is not the content i subbed for, NG ...

[@marihus]

lol right...so weird

[@angeliparraguirre7329]

Definitely off brand... But not poisoning anything relax ppl. It might help remembering that these kind of ppl usually are a few years behind when it comes to socially aware stuff or internet savvy things. I'm glad they didn't do video on memes. That might have been terrible

[@flamah10n]

So do i! I might unsub...

[@elias_xp95]

I want to know about the national geography not Sociology.

[@elias_xp95]

@@Anonymous-nd7gy r/whoosh bro don't read to much into things.

[@affanorama]

There is no problem with Apu... Please concentrate on things that truly matter..

[@DeathWatch-jh3yx]

WTF... This almost made me unsubscribe... This is not the type of content of which we are subscribed for. Just stop.

[@angeliparraguirre7329]

😂 big mood with a lot of youtube channels these days

[@DeathWatch-jh3yx]

@@angeliparraguirre7329 si mano. En realidad es algo que ya apesta. La mayoría de la gente no le gusta que le estén metiendo ideologías locas en la cabeza.

[@Rainygirl3100]

...what exactly ARE you subscribed for? Nat Geo has always reported on cultural representation and social issues just as often as nature documentation, why is it an issue now...?

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

@@Rainygirl3100 Because this isn't a social issue or misrepresentation. This is straight up propaganda.

[@Rainygirl3100]

@@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174 Oh hey, it's you again. You really like the word propaganda, don't you?

[@mahoney86]

The Simpsons is ALL stereotypes. That's the point! Geez

[@mahoney86]

@@ilovecarpileups467 I did watch the video.

[@nalinm3363]

Which is what makes his existence so much more polarizing because even though a character like homer is stereotyped, people still realize that he is not an accurate representation of all American dads. But apu is what many people associate all south Asians with.

[@eps3154]

This was an interesting and thoughtful video essay. I loved the ending. It was perfect! I look forward to more diverse South Asian stories in the great American narrative.

[@BJAnimatix]

As a non Indian Person (Im Asian) in an Asian country all I have to say is that Nat Geo should get rid of its SJW staff and replace them with people with no agenda aside from benefitting the pursuit of knowledge. Fun fact: many stereotypes are not as false or true as you think. Example: my race is often stereotyped as being fearsome tribesmen who chop people's heads off. In the past that is true but we have not much violent tendencies when we are not at war with other people and We are actually proud of being headhunters

[@littlebirdie4333]

You're from Nagaland???

[@wanetiles6166]

This will be received well

[@Puch_Henke]

ofc

[@thegreenjarret5184]

This will age even better

[@elias_xp95]

Grab your spices.

[@bySaverio]

Can't wait for the comment section to get wild. Good job national geographic.

[@KatherineUribe-1]

WTF? Homer is yellow. You don't hear Caucasians throwing a fit about that.

[@bicky210]

Calm down Kathy. No one's throwing a fit. They're talking about stereotyping brown people in foreign culture.

[@elias_xp95]

We don't all have liver disease!

[@pasijutaulietuviuesas9174]

@@bicky210 Then you've missed the whole point. SJWs have thrown a fit for several years about how "racist" The Simpsons are against Apu. To the point when Lisa had to look at the camera and address this thing.

[@SomeGuyNotKnown]

@@bicky210 If this isn't a fit, then nothing is.

[@aniwolfboy]

Ohh... by that logic they could have made Apu blue then.. It's about how people are represented!!

[@shalinitiwariscorner5210]

South Asia is the southern region of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The region consists of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Topographically, it is dominated by the Indian Plate and defined largely by the Indian Ocean on the south, and the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Pamir mountains on the north. The Amu Darya, which rises north of the Hindu Kush, forms part of the northwestern border. On land (clockwise), South Asia is bounded by Western Asia, Central Asia, East Asia, and Southeast Asia.

[@97tanuki]

Afghanistan is central asia

[@ARTCreationsOfficial]

@@97tanuki According to my knowledge Afghanistan is in South Asia. Afghanistan is part of SAARC

[@aliimran2485]

@@97tanuki afghanistan is a South Asian country

[@maitreyi6675]

@@ARTCreationsOfficial no, Afganistan and Myanmar are often included in the discussions in the SAARC but they are not a part of South Asia .

[@defenderofjustice3435]

We Indians are not the same as Pakistanis

[@jamesmcgrath4250]

I'm not from the US but when I went there 9 out of 10 times in 7/11s and gas stations, there was a central/ South-East Asian guy behind the counter. Apu isn't actually all that far off.

[@storiesandfantasies1216]

Their are doctors , it engineers as well but only gas station was selected

[@rugs777]

Aight buddy, keep on stereotyping people lmao

[@jamesmcgrath4250]

@@rugs777 Well blame America for setting it up that way or whatever, but that it literally what I saw.

[@silvermeta2421]

@@jamesmcgrath4250 And ignore the 1st comment you dumb mayo.

[@sajinmathew450]

@@silvermeta2421 CEO of google, ceo of Microsoft, ceo of mastercard, ceo of pepsi, ceo of Adobe,ceo of ibm etc.all these are also indians.(google it).

[@helloperson1668]

Ok but India isn’t the whole south Asia

[@autobotrock4789]

If you are a human being who is of a particular race, from a particular region, or have any beliefs of your own then you will be subject to scrutiny by the media in some form.

[@killercaos123]

As a Jew, I know for sure that it is impossible to regulate what people "think" is the true nature of a foreign culture. It's impossible. You can't change people's perceptions. Perception is reality.

[@abc12369]

killercaos123 ofc you can. black culture was previously seen as degenerate/disgusting but nowadays youth from all over the world try to emulate it. it is 1000% possible

[@alphonsofrett2757]

Back in Grandma's day black people had real problems not this nonsense if you don't like the movie making your own! Being worried about not getting shot in Chicago is a real problem this is not!

[@richd21t]

When's your next Gender Revolution episode?

[@GuardianDarzeit]

women accept equal responsabilities in the west, Release date: never

[@tuts351]

The funny thing is I'm south Asian and I'm not offended by Appu. Seems like the whites are getting on behalf of us

[@joyasaxena9976]

My South Asian father found Apu offensive so I don’t really agree with this comment.

[@v.k5417]

@@joyasaxena9976 Appu is the store runner in simpsons, right? I wasn too offended and im south asian

[@Rinchen8192]

Compared to actual South Asian media from the late 80's or early 90's, Apu seems to be toned down in the stereotype department.

[@thepatriot4458]

I thought this was National Geographic not some crappy sjw channel.

[@Rainygirl3100]

Nat Geo has always reported on social issues and cultural representation, why are you people getting mad about this just now lol

[@helratz9627]

Characters and stereotypes have always existed in entertainment, and always will.

[@Dualitiy]

What a time we live in. No comedian could have come up with what's happening in the last few years. Lmao

[@elias_xp95]

Like... 4 years... that's all it takes for society to fail.

[@Mira-gu6we]

Yeah. Cant peacefully mock and crack racist jokes on other peoples culture sighh.. .

[@killercaos123]

No one defines Indians, Bangladeshis, Nepalians or Bhutans as "terrorists". No one. Except for Pakistanis. They are capable of doing that. I mean, Where was Bin Laden found?....

[@olliespeed22]

smells like buzzfeed

[@aurielle7766]

What's wrong with the guy on Grey's anatomy? It's in its 15th season and they've hardly had an Indian character and now it's stereotypical for them to have one?? He's a really bad doctor too so that's even less stereotypical

[@ojomnesir9182]

I think calling them "brown face" is worse than anything in those movies

[@mindsetoverhaul]

Misusing clips from films and TV shows to illustrate your point which are comedically satirising stereotypes and such, is already, more so than you, effectively making a point and is not valid evidence of misrepresentation. Creating problems that don't exist and ramming them down our "silly, unaware and insensitive" throats is why most people greatly dislike the "social justice warrior" types. This video stinks! The down votes speak volumes of what we think of this kind of content. Yucky

[@525Lines]

The stereotype is they're smart.

[@dragsterbixing2584]

The stereotype is that americans are humble

[@bobsquare2043]

You lucky to have Apu

[@TheValinov]

who needs the quicky mart?... i DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

[@timepickle8443]

Lots of butthurt mayonnaise comments lol.

[@mulberry8754]

its funny how its just indians representing south asia.

[@VicariousReality7]

If you get your perception of real people from mainstream media....

[@deliman7203]

South Asian? That's a pretty broad spectrum, geographically. They're know to me as East Indians, cus I am a West Indian from the West Indies (Caribbean).

[@SS-wd5sg]

Lol first time I’ve heard Indians being called East Indians, all love tho 💯

[@aeroplay9939]

If an Indian heard east Indian he would probably think of someone who comes from the eastern part of india😂😂😂

[@aeroplay9939]

Lots of love to the west indies

[@shmo3723]

When ever i see a brown person from Trinidad or Guyana, i automatically think of them as Pakistani/ Indian with a Caribbean twist .

[@v.k5417]

Arsent west indies people african descent?

[@GrowingDownUnder]

People get offended too easily, it's just a colour and a movie/cartoon...don't take it so seriously and if you do well there's nothing wrong with being offended just don't watch it and don't complain about it.

[@lostarchived2]

Looks like you don't understand until you experience it. Whatever sense of humor you got everyone else don't have.

[@balasankarcs898]

I am not an Indian American but,Many Indian American kids get bullied because of this stereotype,do you have anything to say about that

[@GrowingDownUnder]

@@balasankarcs898 Sure, bullying is bad. Comedy isn't. Find the difference, is it a joke and comedy? have a laugh. Is it bullying? learn 2 important skills, how to deal with emotions and how to defend yourself. If you are able to protect your emotions (your mind) and your body then nothing can harm you not words, no bullies either.

[@blossumgang1357]

I get some reason to get tired of the stereotypes as a south Asian myself. BUT CMON LITERALLY MOST SOUTH ASIANS ARE FINE WITH APU AND IN FACT ADORE HIM. THE WHOLE SHOW IS BASED AROUND STEREOTYPES

[@nimratpannu]

EXACTLY (I’m Indian and I literally don’t get offended by the simpsons.

[@vshekar]

He is portrayed in such a flattering way. Not offensive at all.

[@beactivebehappy9894]

That's some internalised racism for ya

[@vaticancitybride7137]

@@beactivebehappy9894 do you know what’s real internalized racism? Treating your own ethnic group like a fragile totalitarian hive mind, and actually Racist groups like BLM where they claim they’re helping black lives when in reality they are exploiting black lives.

[@balasankarcs898]

But he was the worst stereotype in that show and many Indian American kids get bullied by relating them with apu

[@anim2698]

Can tell people didn't watch the full video. Thank for this! I hope representation continues to get better for us :) The dislikes are all from racists

[@jakeknapp6833]

The video doesn’t have dislikes

[@vaticancitybride7137]

Oh yeah because criticism equals hate😂 it’s 2023 the words racism and racist are so overused than they mean nothing now, stereotypes are funny get over it!

[@ko_djo]

This video is so pointless. Most South Asians aren't even bothered by this.

[@DogratDavis]

I'm sick of seeing all of my favorite things become infested by this SJW nonsense and I'm sick of all the in your face identity politics and Liberal propaganda coming from the entire media and entertainment industry This video is talking about a non-issue, normal "South Asians" aren't getting their feelings hurt over this.

[@ShubhamCL]

Lol, people really need to learn to not take everything so seriously. Love and peace from india ❤✌🇮🇳

[@SS-wd5sg]

Lol you wouldn’t get it. I’m an Indian living in Canada and the amount of discrimination, racism and stereotyping I’ve faced is crazy. It’s time for change.

[@ohtaesvn]

@@SS-wd5sg THIS. Same here, bro, Im a Canadian too.

[@Therealtuxedo]

You’re a person living in India where you are surrounded by people like you, you don’t know what it’s like to be stereotyped, generalized and discriminated against. And no we cannot just let these things go, because when we are stereotyped like this in the media, people think that this is actually how things are and generalize us to the stereotypes. Your comment is stupid.

[@rotisserie8444]

🙄🙄🙄 I dare you to come to the west and say the same thing smfh

[@DerelBosco969]

National geographic a place of science not sjw bs

[@DVaccarelli1988]

The Simpsons began its first season in 1989, not 1988, not counting the Tracey Ullman shorts.

[@vshekar]

It was late 1989 too. What a weird fact to get wrong.

[@jackie1949]

*_but can we speak about the thumbnail?_*

[@siremet1009]

Denzel was speaking truth.

[@kainleingod9662]

Also Nat. G. you are a freaking Nature/Historical Documentary company/channel stick to that, thanks (trying not to swear like a sailor)

[@Rainygirl3100]

Not really, they've always reported on social issues and cultural representation along with history and nature. Just look at their magazine archives and the variety of topics their shows cover.

[@Rainygirl3100]

@@Anonymous-nd7gy I do know actually, I've been reading their magazines for 12 years/watching their media throughout my lifetime. I've also looked through the covers of most issues in online archives, and have read a few of my grandpa's copies of the magazine, I believe the oldest was from the 1960s. Again, they have ALWAYS included social studies and woldwide cultures, and they were originally founded as a geographic society that reported on the world's landscapes and peoples, then branched out into general sciences and photography on top of sociology/social issues and religion.

[@Rainygirl3100]

@@Anonymous-nd7gy Woops! I'm blind apprently lol. Sorry about that. Though, if you haven't seen past Nat Geo covers already, I recommend it, it's cool seeing issues and reports on the past, sorta like reading old newspapers!

[@alecazadi-hocking8381]

the point of Apu is to subvert stereotypes… he’s literally the most fleshed out and successful person in Springfield next to Mr. Burns

[@matthewmann8969]

Yeah South Asians are often seen in the lowest rung of the hierarchy of Asia with South East, West, And East Asians usually above them in a lot of ways

[@Therealtuxedo]

Why does this have so many dislikes-

[@nothanks131]

I thought brown face was people who dressed as Natives/Mestizos/indigenous people of Latin America

[@terrybatman]

There is no problem with Appu. The problem is for a very long time all there was on TV to represent Indians was Appu. Indians don't enjoy getting "Thank you come again" from random people on the streets. It's annoying AF

[@kanona76]

Oh boy this comment section gonna be a warzone

[@Phurfee]

Vice? is that you?

[@user-pj7zj6wz1l]

It doesn't matter, the simpsons died a long time ago.

[@mariabernard4657]

I am brown in colour ( god I hate to introduce myself by skin colour) I am happy that apu made it to Hollywood.. in India we don't include foreigners in our movies , the representations are almost always spot on..

[@NorthEevee]

* cough cough * SJW propaganda...

[@killercaos123]

Matt Groening grew up in a time when the "stereotype" of Indians in convince stores was a big thing. Sure they could have gotten a Indian to voice act, but it was a true reflection of what Matt grew up with.

[@Imran-iwnl-Haider]

WE don't have a bad reputation. Neither do south asians look 'brown', particularly NW indians, and pakistanis...

[@aneeshprasobhan]

For those who are wondering about the outro song, its Daniel Mumford's Basement Case.

[@travis1190]

Please don't turn into "VICE" or "Buzzfeed" National Geographic. You are my favorite!

[@nittygritty7034]

Love you, Nat Geo.

[@raymondrenfrowrayren98trib34]

Abu from The Simpsons is the spitting image of most of the people you meet of Indian descendant that are in the gas stations and convenience stores, unless you've been living under a rock this is not new news.

[@adamtaylor1739]

Half of these examples were absolutely awful...

[@tsingh7275]

Please also differentiate ‘South Asians’. We often are completely different in many respects. Sikhs have no real similarities with Muslims with regards to political views and culture traditions but Muslims are often labelled ‘ south asian’ putting us all int the same bracket. It’s especially annoying since most people don’t realise 99% of people who wear turbans are Sikhs, not Muslims and after ever jihadist attack, Sikhs are often the only victims of backlash

[@gauravohm]

It is Indian subcontinent

[@itsmevanilla3244]

Benjamin Rood south asians are people from the Indian subcontinent

[@dinobroofmf]

I’m confused this video has so many dislikes does that mean people are disliking the stereotype or the message of the video

[@Retroboy51]

the only people being sensitive and getting offended, are the ones who dislike this video and complain about sensitiveness and offending in the comment section.

[@kumogate]

"Only in America can a first-generation Indian muslim get up on this stage and make fun of the President." Uh ... I don't know how to tell you about the rest of the developed world existing.

[@अण्वायुवरीवर्त]

To all complaining about india is not the south Asia, It's the Indian tectonic plate, Indian subcontinent. It's an ethnicity and So long you have even a little bit hint of desiness you are ethnically Indian.

[@pieordi]

It's not our fault if they have an accent lol, it's not like we're looking down on them

[@tarkan13850]

They realize all the "brown face" examples were from before 1988...and if I counted correctly there were two of them. Also...I don't think you're supposed to take Indian Jones seriously. The whole ripping someones heart out of their chest with your hands seemed kind of far fetched. Just saying.

[@Coach_BigMac]

Strange how the issue of colorism in Asian cultures wasn't spoke of, much.

[@V13teampain]

Almost unsuscribed, hope this doesnt becomes a trend on this channel

[@AFPMPU]

as an Asian who's been a fan of the Simpsons since the late 1990s, we are fine thank you very much. If ever we will get offended, that is the assumption of Nat. Geo that we are a bunch of snowflake SJWs. Please leave us out of the PC culture that is a growing trend in the West. Let us live in peace

[@Outherewithoutfear]

Denzel scene was 100% true

[@thereisalist-t3b]

*thank you, come again*

[@shyamparakkal]

I'm indian. And I couldn't care less about this sjw nonsense. If anyone feels insecure about these stereotypes, grow up.

[@s4rthakforreal]

Ben Kingsley as Gandhi was lit. Hank Azaria as Apu made me feel, as an Indian, represented.

[@silvermeta2421]

There's such a thing as negative representation? Apu got us stereotyped as nerds, because that's what he was, a nerd. It's upto you to decide whether that's a good thing but don't ignore the elephant in the room and go on about how he was great representation because he was smart.

[@s4rthakforreal]

@@silvermeta2421 I didn't say he was smart. I said that at least I felt represented in Hollywood.

[@rotisserie8444]

You’re so happy you’re represented by a racist stereotype 🤦‍♀️