way back in January, Isaiah Washington, who plays the sensitive and caring Dr. Preston Burke on Grey’s Anatomy got himself in a wee bit of hot water. he used the "f" word. not that f word. He called his co-star, TR Knight, a "faggot" (i use the word in quotes because it’s not a word i choose to actually use in my daily life) pretty much forcing TR to come force and admit that yes, he is gay, and, unsurpringly, the press had a field day with it. did he say it? did he not say it? will he lose his job? will he not lose his job?
Shortly after The Golden Globes, Washington released a statement. “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. 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.”
Last night, during reruns of Grey’s Anatomy, ABC began running a public service announcement where Mr. Washington speaks of the power of words to hurt or heal.
apparently, this was a move based on a January meeting with officials from the Gay, Lesbian & Straight Education Network, GLSEN, and the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, GLAAD.
how do you feel about this? do you get a sense that he’s sincere? or do you think it’s more of a publicity stunt to gain favor in the eyes of fans of the show and of the media?
and on that note…where do you draw the line between Isaiah the actor…and Isaiah the person? should the viewers of Grey’s Anatomy think of Dr. Burke as any different that he actually is, simply because the man who plays him may or may not be a homophobe? are they mutually exclusive?
how do you feel? do you think he should lose his job over this? have you lost some respect for the character of Dr. Burke?
I don’t think he should lose his job. If this was ongoing then it would be harrassment and should have serious consequences. There is no excuse for what he did but he aplogized and looks like he is now taking steps to using his status as a celebrity to make it right. Whether it be PR or not, it is a positive step, IMO.
okay.so i think that the character and the man have no connection whatsoever.i think that the show would lose viewers if they fired isaiah.i think that him using that word has given the press and the gay community much needed leverage.so they have milked it for all its worth.i think its unkind,ignorant,unfair,mean and cruel to call people names.but i also think that people should suck it up a bit.if someone had called one of the women on that show a bitch for example would people still be going on about it?would the ignoramus calling the woman a bitch have to make a public apology?have to do something to make amends?probably not.