Gay Activist is Fighting for Washington’s Return
A gay and lesbian activist who previously worked with Isaiah Washington (on the Pan African Arts Festival) has started a petition for him to get his job back on Grey’s Anatomy, suggesting that his termination has an air of racism.
Apparently a trend has been noted at ABC where minority actors have been fired at an alarming rate over the past two years, citing Star Jones (The View), Harold Perrineau (Lost), and Housewives trifecta of Alfre Woodard/Mehcad Brooks/Page Kennedy as examples.
Cannick argues to the New York Post:
“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?”
I can’t really speak about the other firings or dismissals mentioned here because I don’t know enough about each of those cases, but it is disturbing to note that many minorities have been losing their jobs in the last two years. Nevertheless, in this case where Isaiah Washington was fired from Grey’s Anatomy, I believe justice was served. Homophobia is not acceptable in the workplace. In my opinion, ABC took too long to fire him and should have dealt with it right away instead of waiting for the season to end. What is your take on this?
5 babblicious comments:
Isn’t that just convenient to call it racism when he was being homophobic? He got what he deserved. Better late than never!
What he said wasn’t right, but he apologized, went to counseling, and everything else they asked him to do. So why did they turn around and fire him? Yes, it’s wrong and yes, and I believe that there is a little stinch of racism on ABC.
I think firing Washington is crazy. Yes, he made a stupid mistake…(which by the way wasn’t done in front of millions like Imus). And yet, he still made a public apology. I think they are going too far with this. Again, this is crazy…..He should have not been fired!!!
It was very wrong saying what he did, and tolerance for those kinds of comments should be low. However, it should not be impossible to make ammends. His apology seemed sincere, and he did everything he was asked to do. So why was he fired? Who knows. From other things I’ve heard, it sounds as though he has an anger management problem, and more than once has gotten physical with others on the Gray’s set and on other sets before that. Perhaps there is a touch of racism here, but it’s also possible that there is a lot more going on behind the scenes.
nice pic