JULIA: AM I, PARDON THE EXPRESSION, BLACKLISTED? (TV)

Summary

One in this series of comedies about Julia Baker, a black, widowed nurse, and her efforts to raise her young son, Corey.

Earl and Corey try to get Julia to get a toy they’ve had their eye on, but Julia tells Corey he will have to “earn” it. Dr. Chegley is visited by Gilbert Potts, the company’s security officer, who reveals that Julia once belonged to an organization called “ANTI.” He is uncertain as to what this means and is suspicious of her, but Dr. Chegley makes his antagonism towards Potts quite clear. Potts asks that Dr. Chegley keep Julia restricted to the clinic area and not to tell her that she is being investigated. Julia offers to accompany Dr. Chegley to tend to an accident, but he asks her to stay behind and does not explain why. Earl and Corey try to get Mrs. Waggedorn to buy them the toy but she refuses and agrees with Julia’s idea that they should earn it, suggesting that they shine shoes for the apartment residents in order to save up enough money. Julia becomes suspicious that Dr. Chegley will not allow her to assist him. He keeps asking Hannah to go down instead despite her constant complaints about her aching feet. The next day Dr. Chegley confronts Potts about the matter and asks him to conduct his investigation more quickly. Hannah overhears them and learns that Julia’s movements have been restricted. She is extremely upset at the situation and is concerned that Julia is having doubts about her capabilities.

That night Julia tells Corey about her troubles at work, believing that she may have to find a job elsewhere if they continue. Julia finds out about Earl and Corey’s shoe-shining “business” and becomes extremely upset, trying to get Corey to promise her never to shine shoes again. She talks about the matter with Mrs. Waggedorn, explaining that she had planned better things for Corey’s future, and that she feels shining shoes is demeaning and represents a throwback to a time when African-Americans couldn’t get anything other than menial work. Mrs. Waggedorn believes that times have changed and there is no longer a negative stigma against Corey for doing such work. They come to an understanding about the matter. The next day at work, Julia has lunch with Eddie the security guard, an infamous blabbermouth who tells her that she has been restricted. She is incensed and immediately goes to confronts Dr. Chegley about the restriction. He admits that it is true but that he can do nothing about it, but Julia is pleased to hear that he values her work and intelligence.

She decides to speak to Potts directly about the matter, and they argue with each other when Julia accuses him of singling her out because of her race. She reveals that “ANTI” is the “American Negro Training Institute,” a non-profit organization dedicated to teaching professional skills to underprivileged youths. Angered and frustrated by the entire ordeal, Julia decides to quit. Dr. Chegley visits Julia in front of her apartment building and informs her that Potts has granted her full security clearance. She explains that she quit but he does not accept her resignation and orders her to report for work. Julia takes this as a heartfelt, albeit begrudging, gesture on his part and thanks him. Commercials deleted.

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