Allow me to copy and paste parts of this story from the AP:
"Grey's Anatomy" star Isaiah Washington said racism was a factor in his firing from the hit ABC series after he twice used an anti-gay slur.
Washington, who initially used the epithet during an onset clash with a co-star, told Newsweek magazine that "someone heard the booming voice of a black man and got really scared and that was the beginning of the end for me."
"My mistake was believing that I would get the support from my network and all of my cast mates across the board. My mistake was believing I could correct a wrong with honesty and sincerity," he said in the interview posted online Thursday.
"My mistake was thinking black people get second chances. I was wrong on all fronts," he said.
His unwillingness to act like a submissive black at work was part of the problem, Washington said.
"Well, it didn't help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn't a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn't speak like I'd just left the plantation and that can be a problem for people sometime," he said.
"I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that `some people' were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I'm a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn't go around saying `Yessah, massa sir' and `No sir, massa' to everyone?
OK, what this little rant reveals to me is that Isaiah has some really bad anger issues. Even if what he said was all true, which I don't agree with, the man is never going to work on a major TV show again. If I were the producer of a TV show, would I want this guy working for me?
Oh, I suppose the other African-American actors on "Grey's Anatomy" must be the "submissive blacks" he was talking about. Maybe you should let them know that. By the way, there are at least 100 other African-American actors willing and able to replace you, Mr. Washington. Good luck finding another acting job.
I'd have a lot more sympathy if we weren't playing the "bigotry" card to cover the reaction to his own bigotry. Um, hello? Black or white, straight or gay, we're all people: and hypocrites will always be annoying.
If we're gonna talk about race issues here, let's keep it to elves vs. dwarves and leave the sandbagging to People or Us Weekly.
If we're gonna talk about race issues here, let's keep it to elves vs. dwarves and leave the sandbagging to People or Us Weekly.
Destro, I don't want to sound rude, but this forum is for Off-Topic subjects like "race issues." That's why I posted it here instead of General D&D, where an Elf/Dwarf race relations post would go.
Let's call it what it is. He's black, he cries racism, so we're all supposed to lather our skin in the whale blubber of political correctness in our ever so gentle refutations.
His comments were disgusting, and this guy is one prize ass. He's the type who blames other people for his own failings. The problem with a rich black actor pulling the race card to explain why he was fired even after deigning to apologize for saying something hurtfully racial (see: crusty white ol' Imus' identical circumstance) is that there are many people who legitimately need to use that card. When frequent misuse and abuse of the card eventually creates a callous over many people's sensitivities they may suffer the reflexive desire to scoff. Then the people who legitimately need it most can't use it to any effect.
The race card should come with instructions:
1. If what is going wrong at this moment stems back originally to something you yourself did or said, didn't do or say but were supposed to, do not use. REPEAT: Do Not Use.
1a) Unless someone calls you a racial name, then jam this card in their eye.
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Bah, the first amendment gives pretty much everyone the right to say and do things that will make them seem like a jerk... so he had the right...
Personally, I would keep the guy on, free publisicity is pretty darn cheap. Then again, I am a sicko gaming geek who obviously worships satan, and sacrifices virgins between noon and 6pm every other saturday...
I've only been minimally following this case and since I've never seen Grey's Anatomy, I'm not exactly invested in this particular individual's acting future nor that of the show.
From my limited understanding of the situation, there was definitely fault on both sides (though Washington owns the lion's share). The tv producers could've at least partially avoided this latest stunt by the actor if they had simply chosen a reaction to his initial remark clearly and decisively. I think part of the problem comes from his cast/crew/employers "sorta" supporting his initial stance though he didn't immediately show repentence for his completely offensive remark. They were all enjoying the free publicity, I think, and letting speculation run rampant on whether he would/would not apologize and whether they would/would not fire him. Even his so-called apology was weak and hinted heavily of his own deeper issues. Then when he went off again at the awards ceremony, the cast/producers seemed likewise hesitant to take any real action against the man. THEN, after a span of time (and conveniently after all the fervor died down), *then* they fire him? I think it's hard for the tv producers to justify themselves on any moral high ground here. Even so, Mr. Washington's latest ploy with the oft-abused race card, just further supports the theory that the man is little more than an ass and deserved everything he got (and more).
Bah, the first amendment gives pretty much everyone the right to say and do things that will make them seem like a jerk... so he had the right...
Personally, I would keep the guy on, free publisicity is pretty darn cheap. Then again, I am a sicko gaming geek who obviously worships satan, and sacrifices virgins between noon and 6pm every other saturday...
I didn't speak to his firing being justified--that's just the unforgivingly politically correct world we live in. It was his comments after the firing I took issue with.
And most importantly, Dragonmann, I think you really ought to tell us what kind of virgins? Details, please.
Even so, Mr. Washington's latest ploy with the oft-abused race card, just further supports the theory that the man is little more than an ass and deserved everything he got (and more).
That's two wolf head avatar votes for "ass."
John Amos rocks. I was just thinking this a couple days ago.
Are you bringing up John Stamos because he played bad boy Blackie on General Hospital? That's racist, man. It's true, Greek-American actors don't get second chances.
I am kidding, of course.
As the honorable Eddie Murphy once said, "That's just jokes, baby."
I admire Martin Sheen... I mean, Ramon Estevez. The guy changed his name to get an "in," became one of the best actors Hollywood has ever seen, and his kids use BOTH names as a kind of in-joke, like they're above the whole issue. Amazing.
I never knew why they split names like that. Neat.
OK the guys a jerk.
But, I've been told' "You look wild and Scary!" "I'm scared, you might hurt someone.", usually from young white males, from the American continent. I'm large, muscular, and dark skinned. I am also load, educated and outspoken. Any one who knows me will tell you that I am intense. I think I scare white America, mainly other men. So despite being a homophobic big mouth, jerk, Isiah Washington makes a valid point. A lot of white Americans are affraid of of outspoken load, intense, dark skinned humans.
OK the guys a jerk.
But, I've been told' "You look wild and Scary!" "I'm scared, you might hurt someone.", usually from young white males, from the American continent. I'm large, muscular, and dark skinned. I am also load, educated and outspoken. Any one who knows me will tell you that I am intense. I think I scare white America, mainly other men. So despite being a homophobic big mouth, jerk, Isiah Washington makes a valid point. A lot of white Americans are affraid of of outspoken load, intense, dark skinned humans.
But is the point he's making actually valid for his own situation? Or is he borrowing the point from someone who had apt reason to use it? Klaus Kinski was a little white jerk-off and no one wanted to work with him either. There's being intense, and then there's being an intense icehole. No excuse for the latter. People who deliberately run around bullying and being offensive fear nothing more than facing their own culpability.
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OK the guys a jerk.
But, I've been told' "You look wild and Scary!" "I'm scared, you might hurt someone.", usually from young white males, from the American continent. I'm large, muscular, and dark skinned. I am also load, educated and outspoken. Any one who knows me will tell you that I am intense. I think I scare white America, mainly other men. So despite being a homophobic big mouth, jerk, Isiah Washington makes a valid point. A lot of white Americans are affraid of of outspoken load, intense, dark skinned humans.
But is the point he's making actually valid for his own situation? Or is he borrowing the point from someone who had apt reason to use it? Klaus Kinski was a little white jerk-off and no one wanted to work with him either. There's being intense, and then there's being an intense icehole. No excuse for the latter. People who deliberately run around bullying and being offensive fear nothing more than facing their own culpability.
I agree with The Jade here. Though there very well may be a fear of strong-willed African-Americans in this country, that hardly excuses his actions. Also, it's not like people are rushing to work with Michael Richards after his outburst at the Laugh Factory.