WARNING! This article contains a controversy. We absolutely take no responsibility for any controversial topics (including this page). Read at your own risk should you continue. The reason given is: The episode essentially provides a non-response to the controversy surrounding the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon; more information is provided below.
"No Good Read Goes Unpunished" is the fifteenth episode of Season 29.
In an attempt to bring the family back together, Marge forces everyone to hand in their electronics and take a trip to a book store.
Full Story[]
After Marge forces everyone to hand in their electronics, the family takes a trip to a book store. There, Bart discovers that he can use the book The Art of War to manipulate Homer into allowing him to go to a Tunnelcraft convention. Homer reads the book to, in turn, manipulate Bart by behaving like Ned Flanders.
Meanwhile, Marge purchases an old book that used to be her favorite in hopes of reading it to Lisa, but realizes that it is culturally offensive. Marge agrees to edit the story in order to lessen the offensive stereotypes and clichés, but after she reads it to Lisa, the two agree that it has lost meaning. Lisa chooses to take Marge to Springfield University, where she is told to her relief that modern critics read the book as a subversive satire of conformity. However, Marge is not entirely convinced.
Controversy[]
In the episode, Marge tries to read a beloved book to Lisa, only to realize the book is incredibly terrible and offensive for modern times. Lisa looks directly at the camera and explains how something from decades ago can be applauded as inoffensive, but is now deemed "politically incorrect". She turns to a framed photo of Apu and says "What can you do?". Marge responds by saying how some issues will be addressed at a later date, "if at all" (at this point, both Marge and Lisa look at the camera).
The scene written as an indirect response to the 2017 documentary, "The Problem With Apu", which was a discussion on the character of Apu Nahasapeemapetilon and how he negatively impacted Indians in America. It was heavily criticized, including by the writer of the original documentary, Hari Kondabolu, for failing to understand the point of the documentary, or providing any real solution on the manner.
