Isaiah Washington: "I was fired because of racism"

[RevellingInSane]

^^Don't even joke like that. I am appalled every time Sharpton and Jackson open their mouths. There are many "black spokespeople" I would like to slap in the mouth. They do not speak for every black person. Some are as racist as the klan.

I can speak for myself, tyvm.

[nycgirl]

It's funny that every time an incident occurs and a black person is involved, Al Sharpton shows up with his little podium to give some sort of speech which ultimately just furthers his own agenda

[southernbelle]

Isaiah could have come out on top if he'd just made one simple statement acknowledging this for what it was- ABC letting TR Knight bully them into firing him- and then refraining from contuining to comment about it. He's gone too far.

[mamaste]

Originally Posted by Lily

And when I hear Isaiah pulling this shit, I want to say: Shut up. You were fired not because you're black, but because you were wrong.

It's funny you say that because often we don't know that. I mean, when you're a person of color it's difficult to seperate race. If I got fired, I too would wonder if my race were a factor. He is right about black people and second chances. We don't get them very often!

[sweetness]

^^ Well okay, but in this case the dude was calling his co-worker a faggot.
The color of one's skin has nothing to do with knowing the difference between right and wrong.

People shouldn't sell themselves short.

[Grimmlok]

If you did something ridiculously stupid and then got fired, would you still wonder if it was race related? lol

[mamaste]

^^^Yes, but you're wrong and you're black. It's extra baggage that comes from being a person of color in this country. As a black man, he will wonder if the reaction and treatment would be the same if he were Eric Dane. It's like race in the American justice system. A black person is more likely to receive a harsher sentence than a white person accused of the same crime. This situation is similar for him.

I'm not saying I support what he said, but I do understand some of what he is saying about race.

ETA: Grimm, it's probably not something you've had to experience. It seems strange because of that.

[nana55]

Isn't the producer of this show black? Aren't there 2 other black actors on the show? I remember the first year this show was on, people in the cast did not like him. His only friend on set was Sandra Oh. So this is not just because he is black, it is because he is an asshole.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by mamaste

It's funny you say that because often we don't know that. I mean, when you're a person of color it's difficult to seperate race. If I got fired, I too would wonder if my race were a factor. He is right about black people and second chances. We don't get them very often!

I'm sorry but that's only true for people who view everything in black and white. Not all people of color think that everything that happens to them is racially motivated. I know I don't.

As far as Isaiah goes with the second chances thing, he already got a second chance. The fact that Isaiah didn't get fired on the spot the first time he used the slur was his second chance. But he blew that second chance when he used the same slur again at the Golden Globes and re-ignited the controversy that got him in trouble to begin with.

But I find it funny that Isaiah had nothing to say about race the entire time until he got fired. Plus, he lost credibility when he said that T.R. should have been fired, even though he was the one tossing out slurs.

[kingcap72]

Originally Posted by RevellingInSane

^^Don't even joke like that. I am appalled every time Sharpton and Jackson open their mouths. There are many "black spokespeople" I would like to slap in the mouth. They do not speak for every black person. Some are as racist as the klan.

I can speak for myself, tyvm.

Tell me about it, everytime I see Al and Jesse jump up on their soapbox I get pissed. Neither one of them is thinking about anyone's best interest but their own.

Although I was happy that Al jumped on Imus. But then the media had to track Jesse down and get his two cents. But I laughed my ass off when the interviewer reminded Jesse of his own infamous 'hymie town' quote. The look on Jesse's face was priceless.

[january]

Originally Posted by Natee471

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?

Hmmm....I wonder what Chandra Wilson and James Pickens, Jr. think about all his comments? I mean, in a backwards way, since they are still employed with the network, he's making them out to be "mush-mouthed Negroes" and he was the only one "unwilling to act submissive." I don't believe that at all with Chandra Wilson, or James Pickens, for that matter. Chandra is a strong, independent woman, who always comes across well in interviews. I can't see her being submissive solely because she's black. I can't imagine the betrayal they must feel. If I was her, I'd want to punch him in the face for such asinine statements. He sounds so militant.

Isaiah has got to be one of the dumbest men alive. He had so much support for his unfair firing with ABC, people knew that he wasn't given a fair shake after he was drug around for so long, and given promises by ABC that they never meant to fulfill. And then he does something so incredibly stupid. Its like watching a man tie his own noose. I doubt he'll be picked up by any other network now for any pilots.

[mamaste]

Originally Posted by kingcap72

I'm sorry but that's only true for people who view everything in black and white. Not all people of color think that everything that happens to them is racially motivated. I know I don't.

By denying those experiences and that reality, we actually do nothing to help race relations. I don't think it's fair to pretend that everything is okay for everyone. It's like sexism or homophobia. Would you say the same thing to a woman or gay person? It happens to us/them as well.

As for what I wrote, I said I would wonder. The thought would cross my mind, but I'm not calling the press or anything. I understand how he feels although I don't condone his actions.

Anyway, what has Shonda Grimes said about all of this? Although I don't think he blames her since she wasn't the one to fire him.

[Gen X EJC]

And once again the 'gay mafia' takes control over the world. Talk to Mike Ovitz, Isaiah, I'm sure he has your back. Except for the part about him being white. And crazy. oh, no wait the crazy part is what will bring you guys together...

[Grimmlok]

ROfl, i'm gay and if i called someone a nigger at the office and got fired, i seriously doubt i'd be screaming "homophobia!" to the press after.

[snuffy]

Originally Posted by southernbelle

Isaiah could have come out on top if he'd just made one simple statement acknowledging this for what it was- ABC letting TR Knight bully them into firing him- and then refraining from contuining to comment about it. He's gone too far.

So true ... but he should have done this a long time ago - shoulda just refused to talk about it.

I can't believe people haven't learned yet that the worst mistake you can make in the media is apologizing for something or admitting you were wrong. Imus made the same mistake.

People in the public eye need to take a lesson from our President, it's the one thing he does well - he never admits responsibility, never says he's wrong, and never apologizes. Eventually, people forget about it.

When you say "I was wrong and I'm sorry", you're like a wounded animal, and everyone goes for the easy kill.