Isaiah Washington Apologizes (Again)
I wonder what well-paid speech writer came up with this one? I’m not so convinced that Washington came up with this himself…
“I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. By repeating the word Monday night, I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on ‘Grey’s Anatomy.’ I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.
“I know the power of words, especially those that demean. I realize that by using one filled with disrespect I have hurt more than T.R. and my colleagues. With one word, I’ve hurt everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted. I welcome the chance to meet with leaders of the gay and lesbian community to apologize in person and to talk about what I can do to heal the wounds I’ve opened.
“T.R.’s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.”
I’m oddly unmoved.
Via | Zap2It
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28 opinions for Isaiah Washington Apologizes (Again)
Stephen C
Jan 19, 2007 at 11:16 am
As a gay male, if he were to address me as “faggot” I would address him as “nigger”.
Then I would ask him if gets it now.
JCW
Jan 19, 2007 at 11:44 am
I too have doubts about the apology’s
authorship and sincerity.
Now here’s the thing: Way back when this first happened, I felt that the issue was bigger than just a squabble between castmates. Predjudice and bigotry have no place in ANYONE’S workplace. The fact that the incident took place on a hit TV series, involved famous actors and became widely publiscized is what put it in the public eye, but I’d have been just as outraged had it become public knowledge it was happening anywhere.
Only after there came a public outcry
did Washington issue his first, rather vague, apology. At that time many Grey’s
fans began with the “He apologized, what more do you want?” argument. I felt that if Washington was sincere, he ought to take the opportunity to make a public statement denouncing hate speech. Many grey’s fans said “Why should HE have to speak out against hate speech? He apologized already - leave it alone”.
In the end, I did leave it alone as did the rest of the public and the press. We all hoped it was a one time thing and wouldn’t happen again. I still did not think him sincerely sorry, but along with everyone else gave him the benefit of the doubt.
Basically, at the time Washington got off easy. Based on the recent turn of events, it would seem TOO easy.
Emboldened by the lack of consequences for the incident, Washington steps forward at the Golden Globes to state that the original incident, which he APOLOGIZED for, never happened. He is so confident that there will be no consequences, that in front of GOD, the world, his executive producer and the full cast, he attempts to re-write history and cast himself in a better light. In doing so, he casually referenced the same gay slur he had directed toward castmate T.R. Knight only months earlier.
I will never forget the look on his castmates faces as he did this. If looks could kill, Isaiah would have dropped dead on the spot.
Perhaps he had reason to feel so confident? Previously, ABC and his show’s producers had stood behind him
and his castmates had remained - or been forced to remain - silent.
Not this time. First, Katherine Heigl bravely stands up that very night to object to Washington’s statements. No response from Washington’s camp.
Then, T.R. Knight comes forward to say yes, indeed, the incident really DID happen. No response from Washington’s camp. Late on Thursday, three days following the Golden Globes, with pressure building from viewers, bloggers, and social orgnizations, ABC issues their strongly worded statement
condemning the incident and hinting that there might be reprecussions.
Then and ONLY then does Washington’s camp spring into action issuing an apology about an hour later. Knowing that this time it will not be quite as easy, he goes so far as to do a Mel Gibson and offer to meet with members of the community he offended.
NOWHERE in this “apology” does Washington apologize for lying at the Golden Globes. It’s the same old, sorry I got caught, not sorry I did it routine. He got his message out - he never called T.R. a gay slur, and even if there’s an uproar, a certain segment of the viewing audience will now go back to the old “We don’t even know it ever happened” argument and stand up for him.
Throughout it all, show creator/producer and frequent spokesperson Shonda Rhimes remains silent. In all liklihood, having issued their statement ABC will now remain silent as well.
Prediction? Washington will remain employed and the uproar will die down.
I believe that in public Washington will now moniter his choice of words more carefully. However, privately? If he gets away with it again, I believe he’ll remain a bigoted man who looks down on gay people.
There’s no REAL price to pay, why should he change?
I’m sorry Mr. Washington. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice? Shame on me. I’m not buying it this time.
adamblast
Jan 19, 2007 at 5:36 pm
Wonderful post, JCW.
I think his denial is what burns me the most. I’m afraid I’ve gotten angry at Shonda over this now. Discretion and privacy are one thing, sweeping bigotry under the rug is another.
Sick of American Hypocracy
Jan 20, 2007 at 7:50 am
Has everyone forgotten the “Kramer” incident? Here is a man who more than 10 times used the ‘N’ word and it was a mere ripple in the pond that is Hollywood. Why? Because he referred to a group of African-American men as the ‘N’ word–no surprise there, half of Hollywood does. However, someone says that Isaiah Washington referred to T.R Knight using the “F” word and half of Hollywood wats to lynch him. He, unwisely, brings it up again. He DID NOT CALL T.R a ‘Fa—-’ he used the word to say he did not. See the difference? If not, get your head examined. T.R. is not as hurt as everyone, but him, says he is. T.R. is being a very smart boy by listening to his publicist and taking the publicity shots as they come. Washington forced him to come out? No he didn’t.T.R. saw the door and went right on through. To make it to the top he had to use someone as the step, Washington is that step.
P.S Stephen C is an idiot who wants to fight bigotry with bigotry. Is he the first gay member of the Klan? Do you understand now?
Sick of American Hypocracy
Jan 20, 2007 at 7:55 am
WHO SAYS WASHINGTON LIED? T.R. Knioght was not even there for the fight. If anyone should have said something it should have been Dempsey, the only person besides Washington WHO WAS ACTUALLY THERE!!!
JCW
Jan 20, 2007 at 9:01 am
Dear Sick - I’m not sure you’ve followed all the developments of the story… First off, the Kramer incident: Vile, horrible, wrong and very different from the Grey’s incident.
The Grey’s incident involves co-workers
in their place of employment, the Kramer thing was performer and audience members. Perhaps one of the reasons you don’t hear calls to have him fired for his “N” word tirade is because HE IS NOT EMPLOYED! Another reason it died down as quickly as it did was because the audience members invoved immediately got legal representation, demanded a face to face meeting with their tormentor, and also sought monetary damages. It is pretty well known that the issue was settled out of court - how much money they got was not disclosed - but it was enough for them to drop the entire matter. All in all, the matter was in the news for about a month… so far, the Grey’s matter has only been discussed for 5 days.
As to the Grey’s incident, there were many more people on set than you seem to think. Cast and crew - including T.R.
who was just around the corner, were all there to hear what was said.
Naturally it became public - dozens of people were there to hear it. Then the press descended like vultures on T.R.,
hounding him and following him around.
By coming out, he made the guessing game a non story and has been left in relative peace since then. T.R. and the rest of the cast dropped the issue after the first apology last Oct. T.R.
never attempted to use this situation for publicity - he only went on Ellen to tell the truth of the matter AFTER
Isiah TOOK BACK HIS ORIGINAL APOLOGY,
and it was pretty obvious he did not enjoy doing it
Please see my comment above from 1/19 for a timeline of events if you’re still confused.
Your “Kramer” victims exploited what happened for profit and went away. T.R.
has only stood up to tell the truth because the man who has made slurs against him lied in public and said it didn’t happen.
There’s a world of difference.
You are certainly right to be outraged
by the Michael Richards incident - I know I was as well. However, your perception seems to be that people are only willing to condemn Isaiah because he is black - or that you feel not enough attention is focussed on slurs against African Americans.
The Michael Richards episode was horrible and wrong and the man obviously has issues.
The Isaiah Washington episode was
horrible and wrong and the man obviously has issues.
In Richard’s case, he apologized, paid his victims and it quieted down.
In Washington’s case, he apologized,
it died down, and then he took his apology back, and now it’s all over the place again.
Mr. Washington is responsible for putting this matter in the headlines
once again and there is no hypocrisy
involved in the majority of people standing up and saying he is in the wrong.
Sheldon
Jan 20, 2007 at 10:40 am
FIRE HIM!!
E. Doss
Jan 20, 2007 at 1:29 pm
My concern is that Washington snatched the mike out of the hand of Shonda Rimes during the time that the entire cast was celebrating a great accomplishment. That was disrespect directed at her, his boss. It said, I don’t have to show you any respect, you are just a woman, and a black one at that. Washington would not have done that to a white woman. This was deliberate. It was mean and hurtful. The program should check him into a rehab center, without pay, for the rest of the year that might make him mindful of the feelings of other people. He not only hurt Knight he also hurt the other members of the cast. His apology is not sufficient for me. I am beyond angry because as an African American woman we have gone through too much crap to stand silent when one of our own is trying to show disdain for our position. Rimes is/was his boss. I personally would have fired him on the spot. “Get the hell out of here NOW.
JCW
Jan 20, 2007 at 2:38 pm
E-Doss,
Interesting point of view. Frankly his behavior with Rhimes only strengthens my notion that he feels very safe and secure with her.
Indeed, why didn’t she go off on his ass after that? For that matter, why didn’t she go off on him when this all started, or at least make a public statement denouncing the language he used towards a fellow castmate.
Ms. Rhimes has been strangely silent since this all began, and Mr. Washington has been unaccountably bold…
Hmmm… Wonder what’s going on there.
jns
Jan 22, 2007 at 9:26 pm
i’m a little new to this whole thing so forgive me if i’m a little slow. . .but if a man addressed you as a “faggot” you would address him as a “nigger”. . .why? to set back years of progress and fighting for gay/lesbian rights to become yet another white supremacist? because there is a stigma that goes along with the homosexual stereotype. there are a lot of people who believe that homosexuality is a choice. i’m not sure. . .i’m not homosexual. but i am black, and that is something that i did not choose. i was quite offended for t.r. that his personal life became a target for isaiah washingtons slander. but with the backlash and how it automatically becomes a race issue. . .its hard to sympathize with the struggle. if you can’t make it better for him and raise awareness instead of eyebrows–then maybe you should just keep your mouth shut.
Ric
Jan 22, 2007 at 10:09 pm
Mr. Washington is a pathetic nigger. He should be lucky to have such a good job, because the skanky coon can’t even act. Hope he loses his job: pehaps he can work at a watermelon patch.
JCW
Jan 22, 2007 at 11:23 pm
Ric - you are pathetic. You obviously just weighed in to try and stir sh*t up with your lame ass racism. I think you’re on the wrong site - perhaps you ought to be looking at KKK.com? There’s no room here for this kind of sh*t. Grey’s fans may disagree on this issue, but they are not a bunch of ignorant rednecks.
Whatever legitimate feelings you may have about this show and this issue are rendered unimportant by the f*cked up language you use and the attitude behind it.
Tanesha
Jan 23, 2007 at 10:43 pm
He apologized and you are still haggling him? It like you say “Apologize! Apologize!” Then when someone does you completely disregard it as insincere or not heartfelt enough. Get over it! At least he is trying! I wouldn’t call someone that name, but if i did I would expect my apology to be welcomed. And apparently T.R. is over it, because he accepted his apology after the golden globes and they are fine! GET OVER IT! IT”S NOT EVEN OUR BUSINESS! The black community is over that kramer guy, get over this! And being gay is nowhere near being black, the N word is way more offensive than the F word in my opinion, so stop with comparing being gay to the civil rights movement! If gay people are so tolerant and want people to accept them, why can’t they tolerate Christians? It’s a double standard, get off your soapboxes and enjoy life for a change.
JCW
Jan 23, 2007 at 11:19 pm
Hey Tanesha, let me introduce you to Ric, the comment two before yours. You will like each other - you both have issues. He thinks black people aren’t as good as him, and you think gay people aren’t as good as blacks.
This is a match made in Heaven.
And by the way Tanesha, where do you get off stating that gays can’t stand Christians? Many gays ARE Christians.
What many of us object to is supposed Christians who hide behind their religion to justify their bigotry.
Sound like anyone you know? Take a look in the mirror.
If you really knew anything about the civil rights movement, you’d know that the Reverend and Mrs. King would find your attitude and comments abhorrent.
You should be just as ashamed of the trash you’re spewing here as Ric should be. Two peas in a pod.
Ria
Jan 24, 2007 at 12:31 am
Thank you Tanesha and Sick of American Hypocracy.
JCW, thank you for addressing Ric but you forgot Stephen. Now, you want to say that Michael Richards paid his people off for him calling them the ‘N’ word so it will be okay if Washington paid Knight and everything will be back to normal. That works for white people but not for black peolpe. You want not only for him to humble himself with I’m sorry for something that was not his fault but you want his job and career. He said something wrong but you can not make one black man pay the price when serval white men have used the ‘N’ word like it was apart of their everyday lang. oh my bad they still do use it.!!!!!!
**Shonda has the right to not take sides. Damn if she do and Damn if she don’t. So don’t make her take sides.
THIS IS FOR YOU RIC
** OH Yeah for all the minority people in the world FUCK YOU Ric for your slave master comments that was just not called for get out of the board and go back to the KKK or Redneck board.
“For your info all black people don’t like watermelons some of us do however enjoy Fried Chicken, collards, chitterlings, basketball, and Bling-Bling asshole.
OH YEAH DON’T FIRE ISAIAH!!!!!!
JukeBox Hero
Jan 24, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I don’t feel Isaiah should be fired for his little”faux paus”,if he apologized..and he did..the matter should be forgotten.I knew T.R. was gay since the 1st season,his mannerisms give him away,but guess what?I still think he’s an excellent actor.I agree with Tanesha,no one cannot equate being called a “faggot”,with being called a “nigger”,first of all,gay people generally run into trouble with straight people when they try to force them to accept their lifestyle choices,if they wouldn’t try to glamorize being a homosexual in the media,and basically try to promote it as a”alternate”lifestyle,and such,i doubt there would be an issue.The problem is,that impressionable kids are watching,and they are being taught from a young age that it is okay to be gay,think about this:If EVERYONE were gay,how would the human race survive?two men cannot produce another human life,without a woman,and vice versa,If it was intended to be an”alternative”to the traditional way of doing things,same-sex procreation would naturally be possible.In most REAL christian households this is simply not the case..belive it or not the bible actually explicitly condemns homosexuality in plain language so that it couldn’t be confused about where god stands on the issue.Second of all,being born a black person in America,and being discriminated against,not because you have done anything to anyone,or a particular stand you’ve taken,or even a particular belief,but just because of the color of your skin..is far different than a person CHOOSING to reveal himself to be a homosexual,in an effort to i guess, recruit people over to the “other”team,lot’s of successful white people,are “closet” homosexuals,and when they don’t “advertise”their preference,they continue to reap the benefits of being a white person in america.This is the problem with T.R. being”outed”by Isaiah,it’s that T.R. feared that if people found out he was a homosexual,that he wouldn’t be able to continue to reap the benefits of being a member of”the club”,this is the REAL problem,not so much as him using that word.As for Katherine Heigl taking a”stand”against Isaiah for the sake of her cast-mate,i have to question her motives,and whether or not she would have been so adamant about the issue if the tables were turned,and it was T.R. instead calling Isaiah a “faggot”would she have felt the need to rally the troops and back up Isaiah in that instance.She probably went and told the rest of her white cast-mates about Mr.Washington’s misstep,and got the whole cast on the bandwagon against him,so as to get him fired,it’s happened before,but i doubt it will happen here. Isaiah is one of the only major established stars coming to the show,he brought his celebrity with him,Katherine and T.R. are relatively unknowns who are making a name for themselves by appearing on Grey’s. As for “Ric”,and other’s who think like him,are what’s wrong with the world today…you sir are a pathetic waste of life.
Donna Pearson
Jan 25, 2007 at 10:30 am
What has transpired on the set and things Washington has said are wrong no doubt about it. We as US citizens we have the right to believe things are right or wrong and I don’t think we should have to apolgize for them. If someone believes that living a gay lifestyle is wrong WHY should that person have to apologize. No, you should never be mean to someone because of it, but is you think it is wrong, then that is your opinion and you are entitled to it. If Isaiah Washington made these comments because he believes it is wrong, then yes he should apologize for the statement, but seek counseling over something like this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard of.
JCW
Jan 25, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Donna, The problem with your argument is the assumption that being gay is a “choice” that is open to judgement by others. Not so. There is no more choice involved regarding a human being’s sexual orientation than there is his or her height, eye color, or color of skin.
And there is no “gay lifetyle” as you put it, anymore than there is a “straight lifestyle”. One’s lifestyle is not dictated by one’s sexual orientation.
Whatever Mr. Washington chooses to believe in his personal life is beside the point. His words and actions contributed to a hostile work environment and that is officially
prohibited by ABC company policy, as well as State law. Had Mr. Knight chosen to make a big stink out of it, which he has not, he could most certainly have seen to it that Mr. Washington was fired.
Mr. Washington was never expected to apologize for his “beliefs” as you imply. He was expected to apologize for calling a co-worker an inflammatory and derogatory name and contributing to a hostile work environment.
As to the counseling, that is merely ABC’s way of trying to assure an angry public that they take this matter seriously. Trust me, as it means he gets to keep his high profile and well paying job, Mr. Washington is more than happy to comply.
Had Mr. Knight wanted to exercize his legal rights, he could have made things very rough for ABC and Mr. Washington.
I think he’s shown himself to be a pretty damn tolerant man throughout this entire ordeal.
michael mcintosh
Jan 25, 2007 at 9:54 pm
Please tell, what did Isaiah say?
Thanks
michael mcintosh
Jan 25, 2007 at 9:56 pm
Please tell me what Isaiah said?
Michael
Jan 25, 2007 at 10:27 pm
Stephen, your comment is out of line now. I believe what Issiah Washington said was very wrong, hurtful and should not be tolerated, but by you using the N-word and saying it is anything like and slur for a homosexual is so off base. I am not saying the words don’t hurt but but the N-word holds alot of meaning in America and brings back bad times and a lot of pain… for you that is what gay slurs are, but there where never laws to keep you a way from voting or learning to read. I hate that all these type of hateful words are used but be the bigger person Stephen and curse him for using hateful words but don’t stoop to his level.
Chase Callahan
Jan 26, 2007 at 2:47 pm
JCW, I believe your argument is falling on deaf ears. I, for one, totally agree with you that sexual orientation is as much a chooice as skin color. I am gay, and I love myself for who I am.
JCW
Jan 26, 2007 at 2:54 pm
Um… Michael… gay people ARE treated as second class citizens in this country. Yes, I can vote. Yes, I was taught to read. This is the same for every black person my age in this country. However, I am not allowed to marry my partner of 16 years…that’s equality? I do not share in his insurance benefits as a legal spouse would, is that equality? Without drawing up expensive legal documents I have no say in his healthcare in event of an accident. Is that equality?
Everytime I turn on the TV, some preacher is telling the world I’m corrupt and a sinner - don’t see that happening to black people nowadays.
When the President speaks, he refers to having to “protect” marriage from people like me. Don’t see that happening to black people nowadays.
You are absolutely correct in pointing out to Stephen that he was out of line.
However, you are off base about the power of hate speech. More people are killed in this country today while having the “F” word screamed at them than the “N” word - look it up.
Predjudice against gays is running strong and growing - just look at some of the comments on this site.
Both words are bad, both words are hateful, and I cannot help but feel that there is predjudice as a motive for those who want to say that one isn’t as bad as the other.
Wrong is wrong people, and these attempts to bring the “N” word into the discussion serve no purpose as nobody was called the “N” word! Where it has been used to illustrate that hate is hate, I can understand. Where it is being used to say that gay, white guys got it good and shouldn’t complain and black men have it bad so excuse Isaiah is an argument that smacks of homophobia and counter-racism.
I’d like to think that Grey’s fans are above that.
Ria
Jan 29, 2007 at 2:04 am
JCW I have had enough of you trying to control everyone and make everyone see things your way. You don’t see things happening to black people on TV, but the cops are in our faces day and night. No cause when he speaks he is trying to protect jobs and car and housing loans from us. Your nowadays serve no purpose in this discussion. You Sir are counter-rasists.
I agree that both words are wrong so let it go and let him stay and get help.
*Jukebox Hero I am glad that someone else thinks Katherine H. is using this to get some more camera time, and fame. I don’t think she cares about TR that much. She justs see a chance to make a name for her self, and get more Red carpet interviews!!!!
***Oh I don’t know if yall have checked out the older discussion boards but there is one with about 82 comments Jukebox hero, Tanesha, Sick of.. yall should check it out the dicussions are good. Your comments would be good to see on there.
JCW
Jan 29, 2007 at 7:14 am
Yeah, Whatever, Ria.
If you’re concerned about comments serving a purpose in this discussion you might want to stay on topic.
The topic? A gay slur between co-workers on Grey’s Anatomy that went public.
You want to debate race? Certainly a worthy topic, but perhaps you ought to try a blog dedicated to that subject.
JukeBox Hero
Jan 29, 2007 at 6:52 pm
Thanks for the invite Ria,i’ll be sure to slide over and check it out.It’s called”Sick of…”right?
Beavis
Feb 1, 2007 at 1:12 pm
This thread is filled with suppressed premises and poorly thought out shotgun logic. You should all be ashamed of yourselves, particularly you JCW. Your contrived arguments matching the plights of oppressed people in the past with today’s homophobia is nothing short of a damnable offense. You need to seek help.
Ria
Feb 3, 2007 at 9:52 pm
Jukebox Hero it is the board that has like 92 comments and the top say Isiah to be Fired (I think that is what it the title is) you will have to go back to the older comments like 6 or more pages.
Well JCW go back and look at the comments I was not the first to make this a race thing I think you forgot about Ric and Stephen. So don’t you dare try to get nasty with me, before you go back on this board and read the truth and you need to address someone else who brought up racist first with that comment, because I don’t won’t to read that garbage. I tried to make peace with you, but you keep on trying to control everyones thoughs and make them agree with you on every board that I go to. I will not let you take over and brain wash everyone to beleive your right about the issues at hand.
Beavis I am glad you stated your mind and that was a good comment.
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