I can’t find anything where it talks about Nell Carter’s feelings about the episode and I thought that I came across something but it was just describing the episode itself, and it was posted long after she was gone. I wonder if those tears were real and unexpected, when she confronts Samantha in the kitchen. This one must have been really difficult to get approved, and to tape. Even if it was all acting. Is there anything out there that mentions Nell Carter’s feelings about it at the time? Have the girls ever discussed?

I have no idea how Nell felt about it but it came during a time where the wheels were coming off the show. We already had Samantha call Nell the N word in season 1. Joey accidently shot Nell and Nell was so full of herself her concern was Joey was not concerned how she was recovering. Total selfishness.
Also Blackface was accepted for humor in the late 70s and 80s even though people knew it was wrong. It was done on All In The Family. It not until people look back do they cringe at these scenes.

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In “Baby of the Family,” a child’s innocent mistake opens the door to a painful cultural memory. This video explores blackface history, cultural amnesia, and the dual loss of innocence that unfolds in one unforgettable living room moment.

Joey Lawrence in Blackface in Gimmie-A-Break-S4-E11