Black Jesus

"Black Jesus" was indeed the second episode, and merely the first to stir controversy in its themes. J.J.'s second painting has remained hidden in the closet from prying eyes until Michael finds it, a portrait of Christ as a black man, proudly hanging it on the wall in place of the original. This doesn't sit well with his devout Christian mother Florida, who was brought up to believe in the bearded white one, refusing to worship what turns out to be a likeness of 'ghetto prophet' Ned the wino: "the one thing he don't need is a partner!" Michael stuns his mother by quoting Christ's appearance in the good book: "his hair is like wool, and his eyes are like flame of fire!" This, coupled with the sudden streak of good luck for father James, earns 'Black Jesus' his spot on the wall during Black History Week. J.J.'s famous cap debuts at the end, along with a one word catchphrase that would quickly become his trademark - "Dy-no-mite!" (exulting at Black Jesus hanging on the wall permanently). Ned the wino would make his first on screen appearance before season's end (played by Raymond Allen), while Sweet Daddy Williams waited until the third season's "Sweet Daddy Williams," essayed over seven episodes by Theodore Wilson.

JJ paints a portrait of Jesus. This does not sit well with Florida because he is not white. Florida scolds JJ for painting a picture because it is not the image she grew up with. The Evans family begin experiencing good fortune. Florida is upset, mad and confrontational because of the string of good luck.

Florida starts brow-beating the family with self righteous platitudes and pleads for James to take the non-white picture down. JJ needs the portrait for a community contest. James hesitantly allows JJ's to take the portrait down and enter it into the contest. Florida would repeat this unusual preference of not accepting financial advancement or act as if she prefers to live in poverty.