Washington: Racism Caused My Firing
Ex-"Grey's Anatomy" Star Tells Newsweek That His Race, Not Homosexual Slurs, Were Behind Firing
28NEW YORK, June 28, 2007 | by Caitlin A. Johnson
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Co-Stars React To Isaiah Exit
The decision to let Washington go was made by ABC executives. Gay rights groups that had demanded Washington apologize say they did not seek his firing and gained nothing by it. | Share/Embed
(CBS) Will Isaiah Washington ever let go?
In a Newsweek article, the embattled former "Grey's Anatomy" star who was fired after using a homosexual slur says he was let go because of racism, not because of the word he used.
"I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that 'some people' were afraid of me around the studio," he told Newsweek. "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? It’s nuts when your presence alone can just scare people, and that made me a prime candidate to take the heat in a dysfunctional family."
Everything came to light because Washington and co-star Patrick Dempsey had an argument and Washington ended up calling another co-star, T.R. Knight, a "faggot," something he later denied at the Golden Globes award ceremony. But when he denied the incident, he used the word, angering many people including some co-stars. At ABC's behest, Washington got counseling to address his homophobia.
What upset people was not so much what he said, Washington asserts to the Newsweek reporter, was that it came from an African-American man.
"Someone heard the booming voice of a black man and got really scared and that was the beginning of the end for me," he said. "I see that now, but I didn't then."Photos: The Hate List
But he is not the only person that has made mistakes, Washington said. The difference is that white celebrities who mess up are forgiven.
"I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone," he said. "If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances … I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand."
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Don Imus?
1)You not only engaged in an argument with Patrick Dempsey, you grabbed him by the neck in a one-arm choke hold; AND
2)You refer to another cast member as a "***", then deny it then admit to it.
As a person of color, I am disgusted with you. You do minorities everywhere a great harm when you DO NOT take responsibility for your actions (each of which, described above, is enough to get anyone fired).
Playing the victim, blaming others for your own self-inflicted downfall, then bringing race into it only makes you look childish, small, and ugly.
See ya at Mickey Dee's , Rastus!
Posted by retmilspouse at 05:15 PM
PERFECT!!!
You were one of my favorite characters on Greys Anatomy. I thought the comment you made was blown out of proportion by the other characters and the network. I thought you were upstanding by apologizing and agreeing to the service that they asked you to do. But this is taking it a little to far. You are showing the fans that stood by you that you are really in fact a complainer. I am feeling that the other cast members may have been right about you all along. Just leave gracefully and let it go. Quit your whinning. And by the way your race card is expired.
There are too many other black actors for you to even make any sense.
b l a c k s.
How is NOT helping these Bigoted people make things better?
Come on Mr. Washington, can't you do better than this for an excuse? Maybe you should just take a good long look inside your heart and ask yourself, "If everyone thinks I'm an a$$hole, then is it possible that I really might be one?"
I really liked his character on the show, and I got over the anti-gay remark pretty quick, but after reading this racist slop from him, I am glad he is gone.