Erin Jensen

USA TODAY

It might feel like Dr. Mindy Lahiri barely scratches the surface of white male privilege with her perfectly manicured bear claw hand in this week's episode of The Mindy Project. But Mindy Kaling and her crew smartly tackle the topic in an episode titled "Mindy Lahiri is a White Man," by infusing humor into realistic and sexist situations.

Though the show isn't Grand Canyon deep, we applaud those who work on the Hulu series for bringing attention to the issue and encourage everyone to remember whose voice is telling the story. After all, this is the same character, brought to life by Mindy Kaling, who tossed her vegetables and a utility bill when doing "that Japanese decluttering thing" and argued for an hour with her ex that the theme of their young son's birthday party should be "leather and lace." She is a ridiculous character who has been mindfully sculpted to generate laughs.

So, it only seems true to her lighthearted form that Dr. L wishes to be a white man after not progressing in the interview process to be head of obstetrics at St. Brendan's, listing the benefits as being able to "hail cabs, direct Hollywood movies, host late night talk shows," and "write in the snow with their pee.”

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Parts of the episode feel incredibly honest, including a scene in which Mindy, in her own body, discourages a fellow female candidate, Dr. Irene Lee, from chatting so they aren't labeled an "Asian clique."

During her first interview, a man asks Mindy how she will balance the position given that she is a single mom. Another asks if she possesses "the ability to keep your emotions at bay and think logically under stressful situations." Though the interviewers said those questions were asked of all those up for the job, viewers can assume the sexist query was not posed to the men.

However, other punchlines feel so exaggerated that they undercut the honesty of the episode. Jokes like Mindy declaring "being a white man rules" after learning Dr. Lancaster is trying to gain weight, or one of the interviewers saying, “I’d follow that jawline off a cliff,” distract attention from the message.

The most poignant part of the episode comes when Mindy, as Dr. Lancaster, realizes how superior a surgeon Dr. Lee is and attempts to help her secure the job. Though the board decides to give the position to an elderly male physician rumored to have killed his wife. Go figure.

Mindy's journey comes full circle toward the show's close. In Dr. Lancaster's body, she delivers a monologue that will hopefully resonate with those previously blind to their privilege. “There’s a million great things about being a white guy,” she says, "and that’s just counting the things you can do with your penis. But the sad thing is having the ability to help other people and most of the time just not doing it. It’s just so easy not to. Your life is so carefree, you start wondering why other people just don’t help themselves because you think life is just as easy for everyone else."

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