Canadians Are Furious After The Simpsons Show A "Newfie" Clubbing A Seal
Last night's Simpsons episode has drawn the ire of many Canadians after a questionable scene that involved a Canadian Ralph Wiggum proclaiming that he is a "Newfie" and clubbing a seal. The episode that was set in Canada took aim at many things including Justin Trudeau and The Ottawa Senators.
Lisa Simpson speaks near a group of Canadians that are holding curling brooms, saying that, "I'm sure you treat all people equally". One replies, "except the Québécois. And the Newfies. Stupid Newfies". Then, Ralph Wiggum proclaims "I'm a Newfie!" and clubs the head off a stuffed toy seal.
Editor of a Newfoundland newspaper, Drew Brown, said that the joke was a "low hanging fruit", according to the CBC. The term "Newfie" is considered by many to be a derogatory slur. Also, while the seal hunt is illegal in Newfoundland, provincial officials have long defended the historical practice.
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TL;DR The Simpsons are taking some heat after last night's episode depicted a Canadian Ralph Wiggum proclaiming that he's a "Newfie" while clubbing a stuffed toy seal. A lot of Canadians negatively reacted to this episode but some are just annoyed that The Simpsons made such an easy joke.
Here's the clip that people are upset about:
Here's the full context of last night's Simpsons episode making fun of Newfoundlanders, does it change anything tha… https://t.co/njaGeb1Cqj— Peter Cowan (@Peter Cowan) 1556531939.0
People have naturally taken to Twitter to pronounce their outrage. Most are less angry about the seal-clubbing and more angry about the "Newfie" line.
What the fuck did I just see on The Simpsons? Ralph calls himself a stupid Newfie and proceeds to club a stuffed seal to death? Uh what?— Josh (@Josh) 1556497118.0
As a "Stupid Newfie" who has watched the Simpsons for the last 30 years, I have never taken such instant offense at a joke.— Kay Beer (@Kay Beer) 1556499872.0
People are going as far as calling out The Simpsons for racism.
Others are more upset that The Simpsons made too easy of a joke.
20 years ago a Newfie joke on the simpsons would have been fucking amazing, 10 years ago a Newfie joke on the simps… https://t.co/SRXsuKSmMM— The Chooper (@The Chooper) 1556503813.0
Interestingly enough, many people are showing support for the episode and are telling Canadians to relax.
Some people in Newfoundland took to Twitter to tell their compatriots to take a joke.
The Newfie reaction to tonight’s jab at us on The Simpsons further shows we’re a province full of people who can th… https://t.co/v70rNasKaU— Nick Greeley (@Nick Greeley) 1556507254.0
While others are calling out fake racist outrage on the social media network.
If you were offended by the “Newfie” jokes on the Simpson’s but laughed at the Apu jokes, Groundskeeper Willie Joke… https://t.co/BApkCTqZal— Dave Banfield (@Dave Banfield) 1556536068.0
The Simpsons has historically been a show that is fueled by stereotypes and plays with the public's perception of them. Characters like Apu have been endlessly criticized throughout the show's history. Public outrage actually caused that character to be written out of the show.
Did The Simpsons go too far last night or do Canadians need to relax and appreciate the joke in its context?
Of course, outrage will continue to happen no matter what. The Simpsons have survived it all, for better or for worse.