Reuters repeats
Reuters TV covers the Simpsons / 7-Eleven issue with the same structure you’ve seen before: Ultrabrown, 7-Eleven spokesman Scott Jorgensen, 42nd St. store owner Amit Chaudhari, franchisee Serge Haitayan’s forum post, random passers-by. These guys look like they’re getting tired of answering these questions. Nice big sound bite though.
… the 7-Eleven convenience store chain’s emphasis on Simpsons’ Indian character Apu Nahasapeemapetilon has some of its franchisees as well as other Indian Americans upset by what they see as an attempt at racial stereotyping. [Link]
on Thursday, July 19th, 2007, 3:40 pm in Issues, Simpsons, TV, Video clips › 
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Right on, Ultrabrown. Just because discrimination is “in good fun” doesn’t make it less offensive. And just because making fun of Indians isn’t as politically charged in the States as making fun of certain other races, doesn’t mean its carte blanche to go all out and do it. Satire is one thing, and to a degree, I can understand how Apu’s character fulfills that role. But if they’re going to do satire, then they should at least make the 7-11 employees that they’ve paid to dress up and say “Thank You, Come Again,” rip off their customers and pocket the change.