by Ryan Schwartz | via TV Line
Leave it to The Carmichael Show to outdo the sheer awkwardness of its Bill Cosby discussion. In Wednesday’s episode, Cynthia’s birthday is nearly ruined after Jerrod’s white friend refers to him as “my n–ga.”
The half hour begins with a conversation about things black people should and shouldn’t be allowed to say. The back-and-forth is sparked by Jerrod and Maxine’s present for Cynthia: a first edition copy of Jacqueline Kennedy’s biography. Bobby immediately calls the gift stupid, insisting that “black people don’t read like that.” Joe agrees with his son, but refers to the generalization as an “embarrassment that black people would rather sweep under the rug — like Stacey Dash.” Jerrod then encourages everyone to divulge other things they’ve been too afraid to say out loud, leading Cynthia to admit that she isn’t a Denzel Washington fan.
To steer his family away from the idea that they can only do things that other black people approve of, Jerrod takes everyone out to Florentine’s, a fancy restaurant owned by the aforementioned white friend, Drew. When they arrive, Jerrod thanks Drew for getting them in at last minute, to which Drew responds, “Anything for you, my n–ga, you know that!”
Once seated, Joe makes his discomfort known: “When a white man uses the N-word, that is a fire alarm in a burning building that you need to get out of.” Jerrod, on the other hand, couldn’t disagree more. “We don’t have to be outraged every time we hear the word, alright? That’s just another black rule that hurts us more than it helps us,” he argues. “It’s just a distraction. We should focus on things that actually matter, like voter suppression, instead of Hulk Hogan or Dog the Bounty Hunter or Justin Timberlake using the N-word.”
To read the rest of the recap, “Cynthia’s Birthday ,” click HERE!!!
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