The Simpsons has announced it will no longer use white actors to voice non-white characters.
Several characters will be affected by this changes, including Dr Julius Hibbert and Carlton Calrson, who are voices by Harry Shearer and Hank Azaria respectively.
In a statement (via Deadline) the show announced that: ‘Moving forward, The Simpsons will no longer have white actors voice non-white characters.’
The Simpsons also attracted considerably controversy some years earlier over the character of Apu, also voiced by Azaria, who became the focal point for much criticism over the use of Indian stereotypes.
After heavy backlash (and the release of documentary The Problem With Apu in 2017) the character was rested from the show before it was confirmed this year that Azaria would no longer voice him.
This new move comes as there have been sweeping changes throughout the animation industry in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, and the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Just last week, Jenny Slate announced that she would no longer be voicing her Big Mouth character, and would be replaced by a black actor.
The Good Place star Kristen Bell also confirmed she had quit her role in Central Park, where she voiced a mixed-race character.
Making the announcement on Instagram, Kristen said: ‘Playing the character of Molly on Central Park shows a lack of awareness of my pervasive privilege.
‘Casting a mixed race character with a white actress undermines the specificity of the mixed race and Black American experience. It was wrong and we, on the Central Park team, are pledging to make it right.’
Tina Fey has also called for episodes of 30 Rock which use blackface to be removed from all streaming services.
‘As we strive to do the work and do better in regards to race in America, we believe that these episodes featuring actors in race-changing makeup are best taken out of circulation,’ she began.
‘I understand now that intent is not a free pass for white people to use these images. I apologise for the pain they have caused.’
‘Going forward, no comedy-loving kid needs to stumble on these tropes and be stung by their ugliness. I thank NBCUniversal for honouring this request,’ she added in a statement to Variety.
The Simpsons is available to stream via Disney Plus.
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