Man shares heart-warming story about growing up with a dad like Apu

Amid the controversy surrounding the portrayal of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon in The Simpsons, a man's story about growing up with his father - an Indian immigrant who worked in a convenience store - is going viral.

Concerns that Apu, voiced by white actor Hank Azaria, purports dangerous racial stereotypes of Indian immigrants recently came to a head thanks to the release of documentaryThe Problem with Apufrom Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu,

It argues that Apu is a reductive portrayal of an Indian immigrant, defining him by his job and offering him up as a constant punchline. Informed by a character who is written from a white perspective, people treated Kondabolu and other Indian-Americans he interviewed differently growing up.

Kondabolu thought the response from the long-running show added insult to injury and was dismissive of legitimate concerns, after Lisa asked in the latest episode: “Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive, is now politically incorrect. What can you do?”

Now, Twitter user Amar Shar is recounting his father's life to show that, while he appreciates Kondabolu for "bringing the discussion of Apu to the forefront", that the character "is much more than some stereotype".

Read Shah's full story below.

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