A Second Helping of ‘Soul Food’

It’s more than a bit unusual for television producers to rally behind a repeat showing of a series’ episode, but tonight’s airing of “Soul Food” (10 p.m. Showtime) merits the support.

“I’m Afraid of Americans,” directed by Jeff Byrd from a script by Salim Akil, originally appeared in September--within a week of the terrorist attacks that sucker-punched the national consciousness. In the maelstrom of emotions and events that followed, it was thought that the program’s impact may have understandably been muted, particularly since it dealt with social issues that suddenly seemed relegated to back-burner significance for many.

Some may still find it difficult to deal with the bruising racial components of the episode, in which the police beating of Hassan (Cabral Richards) escalates into a riot that has friends and family at odds because of their conflicting views on what is unfolding in the community.

The unflinching treatment points fingers in all directions, using the strong cast and talking-head segments with such notables as attorney Johnny Cochran, radio personality Larry Elder and National Assn. for the Advancement of Colored People President Kweisi Mfume to bring divergent flavors to the mix.

Much of the credit for making “Soul Food” more than a hollow echo of the successful 1997 movie can be given to executive producer Felicia D. Henderson, whose ambition for the show was rewarded last month with another renewal notice from Showtime. And just last week, the series received the most nominations for a TV drama by the NAACP Image Awards.

Ready or not, the “I’m Afraid of Americans” episode is worth your time.