Fox’s popular animated series “The Simpsons” has been airing for 36 seasons, giving viewers plenty of time to analyze and become familiar with the series. Longtime fans have theories about everything, from Springfield existing in its own space-time bubble, to Marge’s family supporting them financially, to the idea that they’re all actually geniuses. One particular theory that has gone viral on TikTok is that the family is black.
Technically, producers have never confirmed the specific race of the Simpsons, but most viewers assume they are supposed to be white. However, Black fans have watched this situation closely over the years and have noticed some engaging cultural features.
TikTok users cocoa butter, officialshe noticed that Marge has an afro, which is why she and the children have textured hair that grows upwards. The clip also notes that Marge’s sisters, Patty and Sema, are “two cigarette-smoking black aunts” who have no time for Homer’s treatment of his younger sister.
We also have theories about Marge’s hair, as we’ve seen her change it in flashbacks and specials, much like black women like to do. Plus, the way Marge holds her cluttered family in check energizes the black mom.
Meanwhile, iamthekayelle he also has ideas for Marge’s hair, reminding everyone that she wears bonnets to bed. But the real evidence is the scene where he cuts the children’s hair and stores it in the freezer. They believe this may indicate her Creole origins.
In the comments of the post, someone cited Marge’s family as evidence and replied, “Her sisters? her mom, yes, they are black. Another pointed to her original surname, Bouvier, writing: “She Creole showed that French maiden name.”
Perhaps the most obvious example of them all appears in the season 21 episode “The Color Yellow.” While working on a school project, Lisa discovers that her ancestor Eliza tried to help Virgil, an escaped slave, escape north. When the child fails, her mother, Mabel, takes her to Canada, where they got married and started a family. These are the Simpsons, which is where they actually come from. Apparently it’s already canon that they have a black ancestor.
The point is that we’re talking about cartoon characters in a fantasy setting where funny things are constantly happening. Honestly, The Simpsons can be whatever you want it to be. So if you want Homer to be secretly rich, or for this all to be a dream taking place in his head, or for the entire series to be one big time loop, that’s fine. The important thing to remember is that my version of Springfield and its inhabitants does not diminish yours, so there is no need for more rabid fans to attack just because we are having fun exploring a cool, interesting fan theory.
If you’re in the mood for a rewatch, you can relive the entire series on Disney+.
This story originally appeared on The Root, our sister site, on Tuesday, November 1.
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