Somehow, the writers and creators of Reasonable Doubt have convinced themselves that the language, behavior, and cultural norms depicted are authentic and unapologetically Black. Um, no.
As an African-American professional in my early 50s, (Same age group as Morris Chestnut), an HBCU graduate, and a product of a middle-class childhood community that was 90% African-American, I don't know a single person who goes around using the N-word or listens to music with lyrics that use the same. We're the Anita Baker generation who love Alicia Keys, John Legend, and jazz.
This show has great plot points and a compelling storyline, but every time the main characters open their mouths and utter that word, their intelligence, awareness, and enlightened personas are discredited and thrown into the garbage. The recycle and repurpose rationalization of the N-word is a ridiculous justification and holds no water.
By contrast, Morris Chestnut's character is great and the epitome of poise, class, sex appeal, and everything the main character and her spouse should portray.
Emayatzi Corinealdi is a phenomenal actress who deserves better material. To the creators, depicting these characters in this light is short-sighted and overshadows your theme, general narrative, and character arcs while showing a level of ignorance not befitting your target audience, which I assume are young Black professionals and not the street gang crowd. Please, do better.
