Isaiah Washington's release from "Grey's Anatomy," has resulted in him stating that he was "mad as hell" and planned on possibly taking steps to regain his position on the show. And he's earned the backing of gay and lesbian activist, Jasmyne Cannick. Cannick and Washington both worked on the Pan African Arts Festival and she has started a petition to get Isaiah back on the show, citing racism as the reason behind his dismissal.
The petition says Washington's firing "further adds to a disturbing new trend at ABC wherein minority actors have been dismissed at an alarming rate over the past two years. Blacks, including . . . Star Jones ('The View'), Harold Perrineau ('Lost'), Alfre Woodard, Mehcad Brooks and Page Kennedy ('Desperate Housewives') have been let go..."Cannick believes that the steps Washington took after his very public use of gay slur (both on-set, and at the Golden Globes) should have been enough to ensure that he kept his job at ABC. The petition has already garnered over 1,000 signatures. I don't know if I can muster up the energy to get excited about this anymore. My whole scope of what is going on in the world is pretty much limited to the television shows I'm currently watching, and I'm kind of done with "Grey's." So, um, yeah. I guess that since I've never lost my temper with a co-worker, attacked them and then called another co-worker a slur of some sort, I just can't relate. I find it's best to just sleep with someone's boyfriend, if I'm really feeling bitchy. Kidding! (Not kidding.)
T-Bone says:
Why is this about race? I thought Star Jones and Isaiah were canned for being difficult, primadonna assholes.
Sarah says:
Huh? Race? I thought multiple coworkers were complaining that he was difficult to work with, right? He seemed to have a knack for saying the wrong thing for a bit.
This racial card seems like it's turning into the latest version of a witch hunt. It's not like every altercation can be boiled down to racism.
Ari says:
Gosh, how ridiculous. Maybe she should start a petition for 40 acres and a mule since she's going for the race card.
Jen says:
Always scream racism.*rolls eyes* Has NOTHING to do with the fact that the dude assaulted a fellow co-worker, threw around anti-gay slurs etc? Maybe the producers and network wanted to make sure the working environment is secure for everyone. He was a hazard and they had every right to get rid of him.
Darth Paul says:
Don't be so quick to condemn Isaiah. Yeah, he's a bit of a douche, but we don't know the whole story- everyone seems to kneejerk-out about him calling that honey a "fag".
Additionally, ABC is owned by Disney, and Disney has an UGLY, racist history behind it, even in recent times. They only open their arms to us gay folk because of our cash, not because of any real sense of equality or liberation.
Cynique says:
Who IS this nobody? Everybody is sick to death of Isaiah's big old bag of bs, (of which name-calling is the tip of the iceberg.) that's why he lost his job.
I'd-do-him says:
Don't care, I want him back on the show, he's hot. SMOKIN
ck_1804 says:
why do thy have to bring up the race card? I am so tired of that excuse. It is so sad - when all has been tried and nothing else works, that is what is thrown out. I pitty these people.
Fow_24456 says:
The history between black and white people will for an eternity keep them at odds. You guys hate each other so much and always will. You will never make an attempt to view situations from the other's point of view and because of that your country will continue to be divided and eventually fall behind every other country in everything. Hate will destroy you. Knock yourselves out!!!! And I'm hoping you all never see the light.
Kayla says:
This Cannick chick is an opportunist fat girl who wants to be down with the anorexia crowd. Why is this about race? Believe if T.R. were to be BLACK and Isaiah WHITE, guess who she'd be defending? What a prick this lady is. Almost like the black Perez Hilton. she may as well start shooting everyone since that is exactly what her inflammatory articles seem to always do.