you say this like it's a fact and not just your opinion . sure change a character many people love because a vocal minority suddenly take offence because of a problem that was never a problem to begin with. my opinion
They didn't suddenly take offense. Many of the people in the documentary had been upset by Apu for years, it was more that the suddenly had an outlet where they could voice their opinion.
As for what the Simpsons, could've done, not making a condescending 4th-wall break would've been nice. I think the seeds for changing Apu were already sown when we met his nephew Jamshed. Jay should have more appearances, Apu can try to modernize a bit, own more than one Kwik-E-Mart, and maybe his relationships with his other relatives can be explored. We barely know anything about Sanjay. It would also be nice if they changed Apu's voice but if they can't do that giving a recurring role to another Indian actor (like Jay being voiced by Utkarsh Ambudkar) would be nice.
I would also like there to be more brown and black characters in Springfield. Lewis seems to be the only black kid besides Janey and he has no personality. At least when Klasky-Csupo did the animation, we had more black people in the background, now Springfield pans around to a sea of yellow. And I'd also like better portrayals of Asian characters while we're at it. In Springfield Asians seem to be nothing but anime lovers (Kimiko) sushi chefs and karate experts (Akira.) And they all know Mr. Sparkle. They're racial caricatures and they don't have to be.
And don't give me the Groundskeeper Willie and Fat Tony are caricatures too. 1. they have spotlight episodes and character development beyond just 'rowdy, Irish drunk' and 'mobster' (Willie has episodes like My Fair Laddy and Mathlete's Feat) Fat Tony has been shown to play the violin and has a son he dotes on 2, they are not oppressed minorities.
There's alot I like about the Simpsons but the way they treat minorities isn't one of them.