Isaiah: "I Should Have Used N-Word"
If Isaiah Washington could do it all over again, he would have used the "n-word" instead of an anti-gay slur during an October argument with former "Grey's Anatomy" castmate Patrick Dempsey that got him fired from the hit show.
Washington explained the chain of events that led to his firing during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" Monday night, his first televised interview since leaving the show.
Washington, who was accused of referring to actor T.R. Knight using an anti-gay slur during the heated argument with Dempsey, said that in reality he was referring to himself.
The argument, which he said stemmed from his frustration with Dempsey supposedly being late to the set, heated up to the point where it almost got physical.
"(Dempsey) became unhinged, face to face, spittle in my face. I'm asking him 'why are you sceaming at me?' He became irate. By that time I pushed him out of my face and I began to say 'there's no way you're going to treat me like a 'b word,' a 'p word,' or a 'f word' in front of this crew."
Washington thinks the outcome of the situation would have been different if he had used the "n-word" instead.
"I wish I had said 'You're not going to treat me like an 'n-word' because that's how I felt," he said.
The story about the argument was leaked to the National Enquirer and was picked up by blogs and other tabloids. Shortly afterwards, T.R. Knight revealed that he is gay and told Ellen Degeneres on her show that Washington was referring to him when he used the anti-gay slur.
Things seemed to die down as the weeks went by, but Washington opened up fresh wounds in January during cast interviews in the press room backstage at the Golden Globes. After a tabloid reporter repeatedly questioned cast members about the October argument, Washington blurted out, "I never called T.R. Knight a 'faggot.'"
"I unbelieveably regret that," he said about the comment. "If I could take that moment back. (The story) wasn't true and unfortunately I did what you don't do, and that's go to IMDB or blogs and read what they're saying about you. I felt that my integrity was being challenged."
The Golden Globes appearance caused an uproar, and after protests from GLAAD and other gay watchdog groups, Washington was formally reprimanded by ABC and he agreed to do a public service announcement and get counseling.
Producers did not renew Washington's option on his contract with "Grey's Anatomy." The actor told King that he had tried to quit twice but his resignation was not accepted.
King asked Washington why he wanted to come on his show to talk about the controversy.
"My publicist Howard Bragman was tipped off that there were some leaks," Washington said. "That (during) my entire tenure there had been problematic behavior which had been exhibited and that I had other transgressions. That's the reason I'm here." Washington did not elaborate further on the supposed leaks.
According to King, ABC and Dempsey's rep both declined to comment about Washington's interview and a representative for TR Knight said "no comment."
Washington did say he learned something valuable from his experience.
"Focus on your acting. Don't worry about production issues, and in times of great stress and duress just keep your mouth shut," he said.
Copyright 2009 CBS. All rights reserved. Washington explained the chain of events that led to his firing during an appearance on CNN's "Larry King Live" Monday night, his first televised interview since leaving the show.
Washington, who was accused of referring to actor T.R. Knight using an anti-gay slur during the heated argument with Dempsey, said that in reality he was referring to himself.
The argument, which he said stemmed from his frustration with Dempsey supposedly being late to the set, heated up to the point where it almost got physical.
"(Dempsey) became unhinged, face to face, spittle in my face. I'm asking him 'why are you sceaming at me?' He became irate. By that time I pushed him out of my face and I began to say 'there's no way you're going to treat me like a 'b word,' a 'p word,' or a 'f word' in front of this crew."
Asked by King to explain what three words he meant, Washington said "a four-legged dog" (most likely he meant to say "female" dog); a "punk"; and the anti-gay slur beginning with "f" which he said he used to mean "someone who is being weak, someone who is not treated with respect" rather than a homosexual.
Photos: The Hate List
Washington thinks the outcome of the situation would have been different if he had used the "n-word" instead.
"I wish I had said 'You're not going to treat me like an 'n-word' because that's how I felt," he said.
The story about the argument was leaked to the National Enquirer and was picked up by blogs and other tabloids. Shortly afterwards, T.R. Knight revealed that he is gay and told Ellen Degeneres on her show that Washington was referring to him when he used the anti-gay slur.
Things seemed to die down as the weeks went by, but Washington opened up fresh wounds in January during cast interviews in the press room backstage at the Golden Globes. After a tabloid reporter repeatedly questioned cast members about the October argument, Washington blurted out, "I never called T.R. Knight a 'faggot.'"
"I unbelieveably regret that," he said about the comment. "If I could take that moment back. (The story) wasn't true and unfortunately I did what you don't do, and that's go to IMDB or blogs and read what they're saying about you. I felt that my integrity was being challenged."
The Golden Globes appearance caused an uproar, and after protests from GLAAD and other gay watchdog groups, Washington was formally reprimanded by ABC and he agreed to do a public service announcement and get counseling.
Producers did not renew Washington's option on his contract with "Grey's Anatomy." The actor told King that he had tried to quit twice but his resignation was not accepted.
King asked Washington why he wanted to come on his show to talk about the controversy.
"My publicist Howard Bragman was tipped off that there were some leaks," Washington said. "That (during) my entire tenure there had been problematic behavior which had been exhibited and that I had other transgressions. That's the reason I'm here." Washington did not elaborate further on the supposed leaks.
According to King, ABC and Dempsey's rep both declined to comment about Washington's interview and a representative for TR Knight said "no comment."
Washington did say he learned something valuable from his experience.
"Focus on your acting. Don't worry about production issues, and in times of great stress and duress just keep your mouth shut," he said.
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Posted by kailumego1 at 08:10 PM : Jul 03, 2007
Thank you for you comment. I always enjoy feedback, nonetheless had you read my post carefully you would have understood that I stated Isaiah%u2019s use of the %u201Cword%u201D not that he called anyone such a word. And that my point of view is that such language reflects greatly upon himself and/or a person-in so many words. I have no blinders on.
IMO%u2026.When someone is angry, very angry especially to be oppressed and pushed to the point of almost being physical, a person will fall back to there core beliefs and characteristics and personality, and put forth their true nature to fight, to survive, no matter how small or big the argument, each person has their own limit. You will see their true (hidden) colors at this time. This is all, he made a choice in words, obviously there was that around him that had a predisposed point of view about him (huh) and for what ever reason took just those simple words and made a %u201Cbiased%u201D comment that has put him in the place that he is in right now.
I don%u2019t care if the person is gay, straight, black, or white; so no biased here.
Read the CONTEXT, Dempsey out into his face screaming and yelling, which he pushes him back and tells him you are not going to emasculate me.
The "slang" he used was not intended as a personal attack on women or homosex*uals, but to say he was not "WEAK, FEEBLEMINDED, ETC".
It got ugly when some brainless idiot stated he was referring to T.R., which he wasn't and he replied angrily " I didn't call T.R. a *****$T.
He wasn't referencing Dempsey who should have gotten canned also, since he started the brawl.
Are you people that dense until you can't comprehend what someone is stating, or so blinded by your own bias that reasoning use flies out the window.
And if T.R. is that DAM sensitive he needs to go into seclusion.
This whole incident is really pathetic......
exactly the same day that you chose to be straight. The only person who
has "a choice" over who they have chemistry with is called a "Bi-Sexual".
The rest of us are either born straight or born gay.
Anyone who thinks it's a "lifstyle choice" should try with all of their
heart to have sexual attraction to someone of the same ***. And when that
fails, realize that it's the same for us when we try to be attracted to
the opposite ***...............
Posted by FullyOut at 03:49 PM : Jul 03, 2007"
I have to agree 100%, with your belief. IMO we are born with our sexuality that cannot be changed. However, do I truly believe that bi-sexual is a choice; I believe it's a choice in a way of living, because I have always been attracted to women. I can say that I do not see love as a gender becuase of my bi-sexuality. I am in love with my parnter who is my friend, and lover in life and I can live my life happily true to that one person.
And yes I too am tired of black men whining about racial injustice as a means to circumvent their own inadequacies, but, however, I don%u2019t believe this has been the case.
I don%u2019t see him whining, but making a valid point, which his acrimoniousness was directed towards Dempsey and not T.R., or homosex#uals in general.
Individuals shouldn%u2019t use the N-word under any circumstance, if you care to read between the lines I think he was being facetious.
What was clearly a verbal altercation between both Dempsey and himself should have stayed there, and not blown out of proportion, by the media and individuals such as you.
And I agree with you again, the black community does need to stop wearing its feelings on its shoulders, my words, and deal with its own %u201Cexcess baggage%u201D.
However, just like certain blacks like to jump on the racist bandwagon circumventing their own inadequacies, there are some legitimate arguments or claims that shouldn%u2019t be swept under the rug for %u201Cpolitical correctness%u201D.
I%u2019m the first in protest when it comes to blacks unnecessarily harping on racism as a means to devoid their own responsibility, but I%u2019m also the first in protest when racism has been proven irrefutably as the cause of an injustice.