So, if you haven't done so, go - watch an episode. I admit that I, myself, was one of these people - for years I refused to watch that 'garbage,' until finally a friend forced me to actually watch a whole episode, and I realized that the show was actually making a point. The problem lies within the fact that most people don't seem to understand the concept of satire and self parody.
Unfortunately, many people take the show solely at face value, refusing to see the intelligence in it - South Park is admittedly filled with racist and sexist jokes, along with other offensive material. However, instead of presenting these issues as they are, they alternately project them through the exploits of four young boys in South Park, Colorado. Original air date: South Park residents are forced out of their homes when an Indian casino takes their land.
South Park is a satirical look on most anything from Western society - politics, the media, today's youth, celebrities, violence in our society, and much much more. South Park is one of the most misunderstood, and also the most intelligent shows on television.