Oversensitivity is hardly something new, and in 2018 it may have been considered a trend. While we all hope to see things improve in 2019, that doesn’t mean we can’t take a moment to look back. These are some of the most hilarious moments from last year that offended the public.
1. Controversy Over Apu On The Simpsons
If you’re unfamiliar with Apu’s character on “The Simpsons,” he plays an Indian-American owner of the local Kwik-E-Mart. The obvious stereotype suddenly offended everyone in 2018 after a truTV documentary called “The Problem With Apu” aired, even though the show has been around for several decades. Aside from the fact that the character displays offensive Indian stereotypes, the man who voices Apu, Hank Azaria, isn’t Indian.
While the creator of the show, Matt Groening, had little to say on the issue, Azaria did. He said he’d be happy to transition the character into something else or step aside entirely. Additionally he said:
“The idea that anyone, young or old, past or present, was bullied or teased based on the character of Apu, it just really makes me sad. It was certainly not my intention. I wanted to spread laughter and joy.”
In true Simpsons fashion, they addressed the issue in an episode of the show.
Lisa: “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?” (Looking at a photo of Apu.)
Marge: “Some things will be dealt with at a later date.”
Lisa: “If at all.”
2. Kanye West’s Meeting With Trump
When a rapper meets with the president of United States and has serious political issues to discuss, it’s hard not to view it as a joke. Kanye West took the opportunity to discuss everything with Trump from racism to the need for arts programs, and his nonsensical ramblings became a major controversy in the media for weeks afterward. Trump even made a comment about the possibility that West could become our country’s next president (gag).
The duo quickly became a joke which offended Trump supporters all over the country. If that weren’t enough, West seemed to come to the conclusion that Trump had played him and used him as a pawn in his political game. How shocking!
3. When Samantha Bee Called Ivanka A “Feckless Cunt”
We were all thinking it, but Samantha Bee was the only one with the balls to say it. If you don’t recall, children were being torn from their parents by the dozens and thrown into school-like prisons. The news was full of stories about children forgetting their parents’ faces, the lack of records being kept, immigrants children being put up for adoption, and far worse. So when Ivanka posted a photo on social media of her with her son, Bee felt the need to point out the irony on her show saying:
“You know, Ivanka, that’s a beautiful photo of you and your child, but let me just say, one mother to another, do something about your dad’s immigration practices, you feckless cunt!”
This, of course, caused an enormous uproar that resulted in everyone from the trolls to the president demanding she
“A lot of the loudest voices that came out to speak about me should be embarrassed by their own conduct these days. I could not give a single fuck what they think of me. And why should I?”
4. The Starbucks Holiday Cup
In the past, Starbucks released holiday cup designs that screamed Christmas which pissed off practically everyone. Not everyone celebrates the overly-advertised holiday so they were forced to re-think their designs over the years and eliminate anything that refers to Christmas. This year, however, the coffee enterprise offended the public for not being festive enough.
Their red and green designs still subtly resemble their previous Christmas cups, but instead of displaying nutcrackers and reindeer they’ve gone with more understated images. Leave it to us to be offended by something that worked hard to be unoffensive. Yes, that’s quite a tongue-twister.
5. Santa Baby Banned From Radios
Someone decided to analyze the lyrics to traditional Christmas songs in 2018, and it was decided that “Santa Baby” was creepy. In fact, it was thought to be creepy enough that it was banned from several radio stations which led to people all over the country suddenly finding the song offensive.
While yes, the lyrics certainly sound like the man is coercing the woman to spend the night with him, which is not considered consent, there’s more to be considered. The song was written in the ’40s and it’s safe to say that dating back then was far from what it has become today. One night stands were a huge no-no for women and something good girls simply didn’t do. The song isn’t actually about the man trying to coerce her to have sex with him, but him basically offering acceptable excuses for her to spend the night because she’s worried about what others will think.
Here’s a simple breakdown of the lyrics. When she sings things like “the neighbors might think,” “I ought to say, no, no, no sir,” and “there’s bound to be talk tomorrow,” she’s voicing her concerns over what everyone would think if she stayed at this man’s house later than an unmarried woman should. She’s also expected to turn down a man’s advances or else she’d be considered easy or a whore. He offers her excuses to use so that she can keep her pure reputation and still spend the night with him by singing things like, “no cabs to be had out there,” “it’s up to your knees out there,” “if you got pneumonia and died,” and of course the classic line “baby, it’s cold outside.”
The line that seemed to offend people the most, “hey, what’s in this drink?” was commonly used during that time period. It was a joke
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