Was Isaiah Fired Because of Racism?
JUNE 19, 2007: An apparently delusional African American gay activist Jasmyne Cannick has started a petition to get actor Isaiah Washington hired back onto "Grey's Anatomy," saying that the decision to let him go was racist.
According to Cannick, who worked with Washington on the Pan African Arts Festival, the axing "further adds to a disturbing new trend at ABC wherein minority actors have been dismissed at an alarming rate over the past two years."
She then goes on to mention Star Jones (formerly of 'The View'), Harold Perrineau ('Lost') and Housewives' Applewhite family of Alfre Woodard, Mehcad Brooks and Page Kennedy as examples.
In a statement to New York Post Cannick also says: "Isaiah has done more for the gay and lesbian community than T.R. Knight did in or out of the closet. He did what they asked him to do [apologize and star in a PSA], and now they want to make sure he will never work again. At what point is enough enough?"
Uhm... Will you, my darling readers, take this one or shall I? :)
Here I go.
First of all, wasn't that beard Star Jones fired because she was becoming way too obnoxious even for "The View"?
Didn't Harold Perrineau ask to leave "LOST" as he believed, as do some other actors who are a part of that enormous ensemble, he was being underused?
Furthermore, "LOST" kills off characters left and right, so there have obviously been a lot more Caucasian casualties.
The Applewhite storyline on 'Desperate Housewives' was a complete disaster and the viewers were eager to see them go.
Finally, how Cannick can compare what Isaiah and T.R. did for the gay community is really beyond my comprehension. Besides, Washington's recent comments have revealed the only reason he did what he did was because he was asked to do it, he was trying to save his job, and he apparently never really meant it, he has never really shown any genuine penitence.
Therefore, one final time - good riddance. Now... Could we finally put this case behind us?
Labels: Grey's Anatomy, Isaiah Washington, T.R. Knight
posted by Justin Van De Kamp at
7:15 PM
24 Comments:
Now I'm really curious to see where this goes. Since I think Washington's firing was wrong,(I mean comeon, they insult Christians everyday on TV) and I sorta hope they do get him rehired. Seriously, its almost laughable how childish both sides are acting now. The heck with Grey's Anatomy, this is the real drama. Two childish sides fighting over an issue that should have been settled with a simple "I'm sorry". Just goes to show how PC just isnt working.
Jeez, cut the man some slack. He has done more than TR. And whoever is writing this, can't you at least pretend to be neutral. Not everyone agrees with you.
I hope they do get him back. He's twice the actor TR is, and the show needs him.
Well said Justin. Not to mention you see the recent interview by Isaiah who is now putting himself in the same category as Malcom X. I'm sorry Isaiah hasn't been to the AIDS walk for charity. Isaiah did a PSA announcement to save his booty. T.R. has done work for charity that is not even in the public eye. Whereas Isaiah has done to save his reputation.
Isaiah's behavior has been documented since 1997, and his behavior has continuely increased to the point he got canned on the show. Not to mention we weren't on the set. We have no idea what is like on the set just that Isaiah was the cataylst that made a hostile environment. By law ABC had every right to fire him. I agree they should have gave him the heads up on them firing, but it's clear to me Isaiah missed the point. And is continuely showing his arrogance.
This is a personal blog. It is the writers opinions not a newspaper. The author has every right to be as baised as he wants and if you don't like it don't read it.
Maybe your racist against white people.
I get really disappointed reading that Isaiah has done more than TR. Like someone said, TR gets himself involved in charity works and not because he wants to keep his job, he does it because he's a good person, not because ABC or his publicist told him to.
People should really stop to blame TR. He hasn't done anything. He was offended and remained in silence until Dempsey had that fight with Isaiah. He was forced to talk about his private life and he never wanted that. He's been through a lot and now people blame him because he was the victim. He never asked for all this. And he has the right to not apologize this person Isaiah W. This is crazy, a person is offended, is the victim and yet he is the guilty one, the one to blame. BTW, ABC fired this guy because he's bad press, not because TR doesn't like him.
Well, i really wish this story ends. Isaiah was fired and he deserved. And i really think things should remain that way.
It goes nowhere, JJ. He's fired. By the way, exactly what slur do they (whoever 'they' is) use to offend Christians? A word as horrible as calling a homosexual a f*****? Running an abortion storyline on your favorite daytime soap doesn't count, you know...
Anonymous #3 - thank you! I see some people simply don't understand the concept of a blog, so one needs to define it once in a while. We all have our opinion and I am here to express mine. Blogs are not neutral. That's why they are blogs.
I was not referring to running abortions on television shows. First of all, I do not appreciate any putting down of Christianity. I know that it is a popular thing that stars seem to like nowadays. Heck, the BBC loves to critisize America for being a religious nation period. But, those things just don't get much attention. That is how we know that political correctness just isnt working. It just gives some groups special treatment. Thats it. I really hope this "he was fired because he was black" thing goes far, even if it doesnt give him his job back, I hope it alerts people to the absurdity of what went on with this thing.
That's exactly what I thought. You can't find that word, can you JJ?
Now, how can I put this simple enough...? INSULTING AND CRITICIZING ARE TWO SEPARATE CONCEPTS. Hello!!!
There is nothing wrong with criticism. In fact, criticism and differing opinions are the bread and butter of democracy.
And there is absolutely no reason why religion should be beyond reproach. If I disagree with its principles, you're damn right I'm going to criticize it.
Well, in addition to critisicm, Christian insulting isn't even news anymore its so frequent. I really don't see how what Isiah did was so bad. I mean, what year was that word suddenly criminalized?
Also, calling all Christians and Conservatives bigots and homophobes, now THAT I am INSULTED and OFFENDED by. So I want to ban those words, oh thats right, I forgot, I'm not a member of the special treatment class. Political Correctness doesnt apply when insulting me.
Oh, so would you say there is nothing wrong with the word that Isaiah used, JJ? Is that word a part of your repertoire, too?
Let us not overdramatize, shall we? If the use of the word was criminalized, Isaiah would be rotting in jail, not looking for a new job.
I never called ALL Christians and conservatives homophobes. I actually know a lot of Christians who are not homophobes. And I've met homophobes who were anything but Christian.
Well, Isaiah used offensive words towards a castmate based on his sexual orientation. This is called discrimation. I don't know in your country, but in mine this is a crime. At least according to the law. If it's not against the law to discriminate and use offensive words, at leat this should be considered disrespectul and shameful. How is this not bad?
Lets not get into discrimination here. I can go into how Christians are being REALLY discriminated against all over the country.
Also, what Isiah said was wrong, but if we fired everyone who says something wrong, the unemployment number would not be below 5% like it is right now.
And Justin, did I ever say I was referring to YOU calling Christians homophobes? No I don't recall specifically mentioning you in particular. I was referring to other people. And being labeled a homophobe is very offensive.
No, that would teach people not to use that kind of language at the workplace.
Do you find the word "homophobe" offensive? Well, good. Because it is very, very ugly to be a homophobe.
One other thing. Isaiah Washington is a celebrity who was seen every week by over 20 million Americans and many more people across the world. Whether we like it or not, people look up to celebrities, they see them as role models. A person who uses the F-word is not a role-model. So, there is no place for him on the show. He's the weakest link. Goodbye.
Yes, I find that word offensive. Especially because I am NOT a homophobe. I do not like being called something that I am not, and having that word used to degrade me as a human being, which is exactly what the liberals seem to want to do. You say it is very ugly to be a homophobe, I say it is uglier yet to call someone that. It is a form of discrimination, it is labeling someone something. You should practice what you preach. By calling someone a homophobe, I feel that you are no different than IW himself.
JJ, aren't you taking it a bit far?.. Don't take it so personal. Chill out a bit..
And you really can't see what Isaiah said as bad?...So, why are you making such a fuss about christianity being insulted?... Aren't you, like, cutting with a double edged sword?... You only find somthing offensive when it suits you and your beliefsystem?
Isn't that a tad hypocritical?
Also, IW wasn't just fired because of what he said... That incident was just the last drop in an already overflowing bucket..
There is a huge difference between calling someone a f***** and calling someone a homophobe, JJ.
If someone calls a gay man a f***** or a lesbian a d***, they are doing so because of who that gay man and lesbian ARE, not because of something wrong that they did.
If I call someone who insults or discriminates against gay people a homophobe, I am doing so because of something wrong that they DID, not because of who they are.
Of course you should be offended if someone calls you a homophobe, that is if you are not one. Just as anyone who is called a murderer should be offended if they never killed anyone.
But if they did do what they are accused of, then one needs to label them the right way.
F***** is a derogatory term, homophobe is terminus technicus.
Here is the thing that you folks are missing, it is a double standard.
Do you realize how loosly the F word is thrown around. I've been called it thousands of times and and Im as straigt as an arrow.
The people who call someone a homophobe BELIEVE that the person is. So in other words, they are callings somebody that because of what they THINK they are. Isiah's case of insulting was just true. If someone insulted a heterosexual with he F term, Im confident that he would be in trouble.
I am not saying that someone should be in trouble for simply calling someone a homophobe. But you see, I am offended by it. As much as TR Knight was offended by what Isiah said. But, people brush aside insults like homophobe, and bigot.THey rationalize that it is right to call somebody those words, because they deserve it. Little do they realize that the real homophobes feel the same way about homosexuals. So in a way, they are hypocritical. They are rationalizing a type of discrimination, the very thing they preach against. Most people are caught up in this, so they do not even see it. I just want EQUAL rights for EVERYONE, but some minoriities getting special rights, because THAT is what I am seeing today. Its so politically incorrect by society to insult homosexuals, but it is more then ok to try to push Christianity under the carpet, and use any words to insult them. Its just a double standard, and rationalizing doing it, is just contribution to the problem.
Oh, can I say one more thing? You said that insulting and criticism are different. Did you know that most people who simply critisize the homosexual lifestyle are labeled racists and homophobes? They never took any hate actions, never said they hated homosexuals, never even said they supported any form of discrimination. They just critisized the lifestyle. Yet, they would be labeled by society today. It just goes to show that there IS a double standard today. But, its very easy to overlook, cause if you are not an active member of that group, you usually are part of the labeling. So, I simply ask for equal treatment. I would like MY religion respected, and I should not have to take insulting because of my religion. This is America, yet, it is turning into one of those countries that frowns upon religion. The days of discrimination have not disappeared, they are just discrimination a different group of people. But, no news network ever reports that. Its a double standard, and so many people just cannot see it.(And I have to let this out, and posting topics like these sorta invite it.)
I say, Shonda made her decision, and just let it go. As for Isiah using the excuse that he did "everything they asked him to, including apologizing with his PSA..." That is something he should've done on his own to show that he regretted what he had said, not just because someone told him to. As for T.R., he says numerous times that he hadn't planned on coming out but was forced to do so after the incident. Cut him some slack when it comes to "representing the gay community". Does that mean I, as a Korean, feel that Sanda Oh is letting down the Korean community? NO. The whole cast is a group of talented actors, just leave it at that. As for people saying that people insult Christians everyday on tv, then don't watch those shows, and stop attacking Justin for his own PERSONAL blog that helps keep us informed on ridiculous claims like this new "racism" idea.
Thanks, Erin.
Now... What the hell is a "homosexual lifestyle"?!
That's what i wanted to know too. :P
You'll have to excuse my strong language, but JJ's claims of "discrimination" are beyond absurd. Christians are the people who RUN this fucking country. And now we're supposed to believe they're being "persecuted"? Give me a break, JJ. Spare me your false martyrdom. Our national government is controlled mainly by white Christian men.
And, no, Christians are NOT being discriminated against. Look up the word "discrimination" because you are using it incorrectly.
Fact: Under federal law, you cannot fire someone because of their religion.
Fact: Under federal law, you CAN fire someone because of their sexual orientation. (Yes, you read that correctly.)
Remind me again who is actually being discriminated against?
Oh, and "homosexual lifestyle"? That's a code phrase for "those dirty homosexuals." Its anti-gay connotations couldn't be clearer.
Again, if T.R. called Isiah a nig you'd be calling for his head. You pain in the @ss hypocrites have no credibility anymore crying over this stuff.
If TR called him that, I'd think he's a loser like I think IW is, but, I see worse things every day. Man, people need to GROW UP. Everyone on that GA set involved in this is acting childish. Ok, IW was a jerk, he said he was sorry, you move on. Its amazing really. Whats even more amazing is the hypocracy of the other side. Heh, and they are just too blind(or is it stubborn?) to see it.
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