Walter Mosley: Author quits Star Trek: Discovery after being asked not to use 'N-word' in writer's room

'I was in a writers’ room trying to be creative while at the same time being surveilled by unknown critics who would snitch on me to a disembodied voice over the phone,' novelist wrote in a New York Times op-ed

Walter Mosley quit a writer's room after being asked not to use the 'N-word' (Getty)

Novelist Walter Mosley quit his job as a writer on a television series after being “chastised” for using the N-word, he has revealed.

Mosley, known for his Easy Rawlins detective series, did not reveal which show he departed in an op-ed for The New York Times about his experience, but The Hollywood Reporter reports it was CBS All Access’ Star Trek: Discovery.

Showrunners were reportedly informed of the complaint via human resources. Morsley, who allegedly used the N-word multiple times, was informed that typical use of the word was a fireable offence but there would be no action taken against him. Instead, he was told that a writer in the room was uncomfortable with his use of the word and wanted to make sure he was aware of the studio’s policy.

“Earlier this year, I had just finished with the Snowfall writers’ room for the season when I took a similar job on a different show at a different network. I’d been in the new room for a few weeks when I got the call from human resources. A pleasant-sounding young man said, 'Mr. Mosley, it has been reported that you used the n-word in the writers’ room,'” Mosley wrote in the NYT. “I replied, 'I am the N-word in the writers’ room.'”

He went on to explain that the HR representative told him that while he was free to use that word in a script, he “could not say it”.

“I hadn’t called anyone it,” Mosley clarified. “I just told a story about a cop who explained to me, on the streets of Los Angeles, that he stopped all n***ers in paddy neighbourhoods and all paddies in n***er neighbourhoods, because they were usually up to no good. I was telling a true story as I remembered it.”

Mosley wrote that he is unaware who complained about his use of the word. “There I was, a black man in America who shares with millions of others the history of racism. And more often than not, treated as subhuman,” he said. “If addressed at all that history had to be rendered in words my employers regarded as acceptable.”

While Mosley did not say he was immediately threatened with termination, he ultimately decided to leave the show. “My answer to HR was to resign and move on. I was in a writers’ room trying to be creative while at the same time being surveilled by unknown critics who would snitch on me to a disembodied voice over the phone,” he wrote. “My every word would be scrutinised. Sooner or later I’d be fired or worse — silenced.”

CBS TV Studios responded to Mosley's op-ed on Friday in a statement that read: “We have the greatest admiration for Mr Mosley’s writing talents and were excited to have him join Star Trek: Discovery. While we cannot comment on the specifics of confidential employee matters, we are committed to supporting a workplace where employees feel free to express concerns and where they feel comfortable performing their best work. We wish Mr Mosley much continued success.”