Does Isaiah Washington Believe Lies Have Power?

Situation

In January 2007, at the news conference of Golden Globes awards, Isaiah Washington (Surgeon Preston Burke on “Grey’s Anatomy”) said he never referred to T.R. Knight (co-star) as a “faggot.” This comment was reference to the backstage conflict two months ago, where Washington had a fight with Patrick Dempsey (co-star) by use of epithet toward Knight’s sexuality. In July 2007, Washington appeared on “Larry King Live” and presented his side of controversy. He said his word choice was toward Dempsey who treated him like a “B-word,” a “P-word,” and the “F-word” which, for Washington, meant “weak.” Whatever his intention was, his use of word on the camera at the Golden Glove stunned other cast members, and expanded the controversy. As a result, In June 2007, his contract was not renewed by ABC and he dropped from the show. Washington claimed that “they fired the wrong guy (referring to Knight).”

 

 Mainstream Media Coverage

The crisis of Washington hit the mainstream media. Interestingly, the media coverage chose different sides to focus on regarding to Washington’s situation.  “The New York Times” and “Variety” viewed the situation on the side of ABC who faced bad publicity toward the show due to Washington’s behavior. “The New York Times” headline said “Anatomy of an Insult: ABC Is Stung by an Actor’s Anti-Gay Slurs,” accompanying Knight’s serious expression of the picture. According to NYT, the executives of ABC and Touchstone called Mr. Washington’s behavior, “unacceptable.” The ABC statement added that they don’t buy Washington’s apology after the stage conflict when he referred his behavior “unfortunate,” and therefore, they would take the situation seriously this time. “Variety” also focused on ABC’s disappointed response on this issue with the title saying, “‘Grey’s’ Washington under fire again.” 

“MSNBC” took somewhat favorable side toward Washington, quoting Washington’s apology with acceptance. Below Washington’s smiling picture, it quoted Eliza Byard, GLSEN deputy executive director, who said, “Washington’s willingness to do something to address the hurt and harm he may have caused has to be respected.” MSNBC also reported Washington’s apology to the civil rights group and his decision to do the community service for forgiveness.  

“Fox news” reported the voice of the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation who demanded an apology from Washington. It quoted enraged GLAAD president Neil Giuliano saying, “We are… optimistic that it may mark a turning point in this deeply troubling situation.”

Blog Coverage

Most bloggers were furious with Washington’s use of word at the awards. When Washington demanded to listen to his side of the story, “Perez Hilton” responded saying “he is living in his own little dream world.” He was cynical enough to mention that “you only went to counseling and did that public service announcement because you thought that’s what you needed to do to save your job.” 

“TMZ” also strongly accused of Washington, taking sympathy to ABC with this unexpected situation. The title said, “Grey’s Creator: Isaiah Insulted Everyone,” with the silly picture of him. TMZ quoted the executive producer saying, “We (all the producers) applaud and encourage Isaiah’s realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues.” 

However, when Washington finally got fired from the show, some bloggers had a voice to bring him back. FriendofOprah at “TV guide Community” argued that it was racism to fire Washington based on his wrong word choice with the title saying, “The Sad Truth About Dr. Burke.” He also added that ABC fired a minority for using sexual slang about a white guy because in the case of Sharon Stone, a “b” word was acceptable when she said that to her gay friends.  

On the other hand, “Queersighted” applauded for Isaiah’s dropout from the show with the title, “Isaiah Washington Fired – Finally.” The blogger admitted that his firing was not only based on his behavior but combined reasons as his bad PR, and the network’s position. Saying “His firing still sends a message,” the blogger meant Washington deserved getting fired.

MSM and Blogs

Both Mainstream Media and Blogs mostly criticized Washington’s behavior at the awards, but they took different sides to support. While MSM focused on the network’s reaction, many bloggers talked for audience.

MSM reported Washington’s apology, but they shared more of ABC executives’ comments on how they will deal with the case. All the MSM also mentioned the rating of “Grey’s Anatomy” which is 18.7 million viewers and it won the Golden Globe for best television drama, concerning how Washington’s issue would affect on the show. For MSM, the hot issue was the network that was facing to have their hot TV show damaged due to the cast member’s bad mistake.  

The bloggers were also very cynical about Washington’s situation, viewing this case with their personal impact. They criticized him really hard with his insincere apology and argued his punishment by firing him. “Queersighted” applauded when Washington got fired and interpreted this as a good message to develop media’s support for Gay and Lesbian rights. Some audiences were against Washington’s behavior, but felt too much when he got fired from the show and worried about the show’s future.  

Publicist POV 

He has too many different sides for the incident, and none seems to be sincere. I felt sorry that he lost his job from nationwide TV show, but he somehow led himself into it. After the backstage conflict, he felt so falsely accused that he had a gut to grab the microphone and denied that he ever used the slur to describe Knight, repeating the word! After being criticized for his behavior on media coverage, he first fired his publicist and apologized. His statement included, “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.” He added, “I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.”

I think this was an okay apology and it was time for him to show “his future actions” for public forgiveness. Apparently, he still felt that he was blamed too much and spoke out again. I strongly blame his publicist for letting him talk too much when he needed to shut up and beg for public apology. His firing was anticipated since the executive of ABC said they didn’t buy Washington’s apology. It was his second time to use racist slur and from previous apology, he referred the incident as “unfortunate,” which showed that he didn’t really regret his behavior. And he used the same word this time in public. Finally, on June 2007, ABC announced that they had decided not to renew Washington’s contract.

Again, even though Washington felt like he didn’t deserve this, it was better for him to accept the fact for his future career. Instead, he claimed, “they fired the wrong guy (Knight)” and said he was considering filing a lawsuit. He even accused Knight for the controversy. He didn’t stop. He claimed that he was fired because of racism. The more he said the more he looked silly and I don’t understand what his publicist was doing while he kept interviewing to speak out all his thoughts and rage.

Again, on July 2007, Washington appeared on “Larry King Live” to present his side of the controversy. This time, he said he used the word but only referred Patrick Dempsey for being “weak.” So, in summary, first he denied ever using the word, next he begged for apology promising his sincere behaviors in the future, to only blame public for misunderstanding of his word choice. Like he claimed on a public service announcement for GLAAD, saying “words have power,” they do have power. And if he keeps lying, ignoring the power of the words, who will trust him in his career in the future?