Fox’s popular animated series The Simpsons has been airing for 36 seasons, giving viewers plenty of time to analyze and review the series. Longtime fans have theories about everything from Springfield existing in its own space-time bubble to Marge’s family supporting her financially to the idea that they’re actually all geniuses. One particular theory that has become popular on TikTok is that the family is black.
Technically, producers have never confirmed a specific race for The Simpsons, but most viewers assume The Simpsons are supposed to be white. However, over the years, black fans have observed closely and picked up on some interesting cultural traits.
TikTok user Cocoa butterofficialpointed out that Marge has an Afro, which is why she and the children have textured hair that grows upwards. The clip also states that Marge’s sisters Patty and Sema are “two cigarette-smoking black aunts” who have no time for how Homer treats their younger sister.
We also have theories about Marge’s hair, as we’ve seen her alter it in flashbacks and special episodes, much like black women tend to do. Plus, the way Marge keeps her chaotic family under control energizes the black mother.
In the meantime, iamthekayelle also has ideas about Marge’s hair and reminds everyone that she wears bonnets to bed. However, the real proof is found in a scene where she cuts the children’s hair and stores it in the freezer. They believe this may indicate their Creole origins.
In the comments on the post, someone cited Marge’s family as evidence and responded, “Her sisters? her mother, yes, they are black.” While another pointed to her original last name, Bouvier, wrote: “She Creole to show off that French girl’s name.”
Perhaps the most obvious example of all is the Season 21 episode “The Color Yellow.” While working on a school project, Lisa discovers that her ancestor Eliza tried to help Virgil, a runaway slave, escape north. When the child fails, it is her mother Mabel who takes him to Canada, where they marry and start a family. This is the Simpsons they are actually descended from. So apparently it’s already canon that they have a black ancestor.
This is about cartoon characters in a fantastical setting where ridiculous things are constantly happening. Honestly, The Simpsons can be anything you want it to be. So if you want Homer to be secretly rich, that everything is just a dream happening in his head, or that the whole series is a giant time loop, then that’s fine. It’s important to remember that my version of Springfield and its residents does not weaken yours. So there’s no need for more intense fans to go on the attack just because we’re having fun exploring a cool, interesting fan theory.
If this makes you want to rewatch, you can relive the entire series on Disney+.
This story originally appeared on The Root, our sister site, on Tuesday, November 1st.
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