The lead voice actor for the long running animated series Bob’s Burgers has apologized after tweeting a “Me So Horny Joke.”
The tweet from H Jon Benjamin which has since been deleted faced immediate backlash on social media from many who considered it racist.
According to Pop Culture, the original tweet read “Quick idea for the name of a tea shop- ‘ooh me so horny, me love you oolong time tea shop,'”
It’s a reference to an iconic line from the 1987 movie Full Metal Jacket which has long been derided as sexualizing and exoticizing Asian women.
Benjamin did not hesitate to delete his tweet and issue an apology.
to make light of the big picture stereotyping of Vietnamese people and Asian Americans in general. I’m sorry I ever made that cup of tea. And thanks for making me realize this in quick order
— h. jon benjamin (@HJBenjamin) September 23, 2018
In case some didn’t get the apology, the Twitterverse explained it further.
The me love you long time shit stemmed from the old brothel in Vietnam war era , for fucks sake White People please let it go , you wanna be racist at least say shit that’s reflecting current atmosphere, shits getting old .
— Booboo (@Booboo93697826) September 24, 2018
really shoulda started with this: pic.twitter.com/GGBpdnkod0
— Kate (libra) ♎️?☕️ (@kateofgrace) September 23, 2018
The fact that you’re apologizing for making tea and not your cheap racism jokes is exactly the Gas lighting tactics that we all recognize white ppl love to do, buddy. How does it feel being united airlines 2.0 with that non apology?
— John (@TheVaguePoints) September 24, 2018
Others, however, commended Burger for seeing the errors of his ways.
A sincere apology goes an oolong way. I’m Asain and before my disappointment for that joke could steep, you swallowed your pride by giving some acknowledge-mint to the bitter origins of that expression.
— Jay (@Jayt0626) September 23, 2018
Humanity is making a mistake. Maturity is admitting you made a mistake and apologizing. Thank you for being a mature human about this.
— Not That Moose (@mizmoose) September 23, 2018
Still others questioned why an apology was even necessary.
I saw nothing wrong man. Love Full Metal Jacket!!
— Michael Peck (@Michael28090770) September 23, 2018
I’m Vietnamese and that was funny lol
— Joey Luu (@crownofaragon) September 24, 2018
Where do you fall in this debate? Let us know by commenting below.
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