Isaiah Washington played Preston Burke in Grey’s Anatomy. He was accused of calling T.R. Knight homophobic names. T.R. starred as George O’Malley in Grey’s as well. T.R is currently in an eight year relationship with his husband Patrick Leahy. He officially came out as gay in 2006.
Isaiah had called T.R. a “Fa****” in 2007. Though some say he didn’t mean it, it was extremely offensive to the LGBTQ community. I find it very disrespectful he would say such a thing about his fellow cast member. Isaiah was heard talking to Patrick Dempsey, Derek Shepherd or more known as McDreamy. I find it funny that Katherine Heigl was the one who confronted him. She played Izzie Stevens in Grey’s and is a friend of T.R. I find it encouraging that she is so supportive of the LGBTQ community and has such a big heart. It would be hard to walk in on someone talking badly about one’s sexuality, especially if it was a friend.
Isaiah had confirmed he didn’t know if he was on good terms with his co-star. He had felt he didn’t do anything wrong. I find it hurtful that he thinks he can say all he wants about one’s sexuality because of freedom of speech. Kathrine had told the news she believed it was “hate talk not free speech.” I completely agree with her. Isaiah is black and he shouldn’t be discriminated against so neither should T.R. for his sexuality. We have too many problems regarding race and sexuality. Bringing others down isn’t helping our community.
After the hurtful comment, the character George O’Malley was soon to be scripted off. However, Preston Burke was kicked off during season three. The producer thought the situation over then, believed it was best for the show. I truly believe that it was for the greater good as well. After Isaiah left the show, season six came and it was scripted George O’Malley would get hit by a bus. This year T.R. made a return to the show to appear in a dream. When I saw T.R. in the newest episode I was so happy. He is a great actor, and I loved watching him act as girls boyfriends. He clearly was acting because he hadn't come out yet. I can’t wait for his new show The Flight Attendant. I’m so sad he had to leave the show because of this incident. I strongly dislike Isaiah Washington and his character because of this situation.
If you were the director of Grey’s Anatomy would you have fired Isaiah Washington?
Do you think T.R.’s nickname from Isaiah was “hate talk” or “free speech”?
Do you think those in the LGBTQ community find this story easier or harder to come out?
Replies
Well done overall Laney! I do think that you could have defined hate speech and also explain that hate speech is protected by the 1st Amendment as terrible as it is.
I believe that T.R.'s nickname from Isaiah was hate talk not free speech and that's because in my opinion when you don't respect another human being and you offend them it's not just you stating your opinion it's a lot more than that. I think that people's freedom ends whenever it's hurting others, people shouldn't have the right to go past that.
I don't think that I would have fired him because even though you shouldn't say that, he only said it once. I know that it only takes once to make a negative impact; however, it is not against the law. Therefore; I don't agree with what he said but I also would not have fired him for saying one wrong thing.
If I was the director I think I would have fired him as well. Obvioulsy you shouldn't discriminate against people just because of the way they are, but I bet it had other negative effects on the show. For example, George was my favorite character by far from Greys Anatomy, and losing him was the worst. I'm sure many other fans were upset too, so the show might have lost veiwers. No director likes to lose veiwers, so that alone would be a good reason to fire Isaiah. Also, if he didn't fire him, some might have resented him for tolerating that innapropriate behaviour.
I had never thought about the team losing viewers. I kept watching because I had other favorite characters. Though it was extremely sad he had left. I noticed in the show before he left he was missing in some episodes. George was also only in short clips before he was killed off. I knew something was happening because I hadn't seen him as much. Then, when he died I knew i had to look it up. When I saw this story I was outraged. This behavior makes me so upset. Espescially because he won't admit it. Several actors have stated his words, and it disappoints me that he would talk about his friend like that.
In my opinion, T.R.'s nickname from Isaiah was "free speech". I think that Isaiah has every right to say that word. It is not against any laws. However, saying words like that can offend people. I do not think it should be a word said because it is offensive, and the word is used negatively towards a group of people. Overall, I think he can say that word, however it can reflect badly on his reputation.
However, he would get upset if T.R. had made a racsist comment to him. Though it may not be a law, you still shouldn't do it. It's just a respectful thing to do. I believe this why we have so many people against one another. If we can't respect each other, then we can't get things done. In my opinion, people that make mistakes like him aren't doing themselves good. The day he made that comment was the day he lost respect for me.
I dont think that what Isaiah Washington did was right but i would not have fired him even though what he did was wrong and disrespectful. In my opion the nickname that he gave T.R. was not free speech it was mroe hate talk. Also those of the LGBTQ+ community have a hard enough time coming out as it is because of the poeple in this world and then you see such a well respected person disrespect a person of the LGBTQ+ community and it could make it harder for pople to come out.
No I wouldn't of fired him. Is saying that ok? No, I don't think so. Althogh, he said it once, and it wasn't like he was bullying him. Peope say insulting things every day so i can see how it could be both. It's just how you percive it. Probably harder considiring who stayed in the show and who was killled off.
I think that what Isaiah Washington said was very disrepectful and wrong, but I dont think that would be enough to fire him. The nickname that he gave T.R. was smore hate talk than free speech because it was more discriminating who T.R. is instead of just making a comment. Also those in the LGBTQ community already have a hard time coming out with the thouught of what other people will think and them seeing how a well-known actor acted when he found out will definitely make it harder for them to come out, especially with the people today in this world.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next