Blog by Sean Gehon, Friday, June 08, 2007
As I sit here getting ready to write my blog, the world is on edge. We’re not witnessing a tragedy, we’re not on the verge of discovering a cure for AIDS, and we’re certainly not any closer to finding world peace… but Paris Hilton may be sent back to jail. In a time where justice isn’t often served, and celebrities are at an all time peak of crazy, the public are demanding equal treatment for celebrities. While Paris is being sent to jail to serve the remainder of her sentence, Isaiah Washington is being sent to the unemployment office.
Ever since the blowup on the set of the hit doctor drama Grey’s Anatomy gay rights activists have been screaming for the head of Isaiah Washington after he used a racial slur against cast member T.R. Knight. During the weeks that followed the outburst, many people were expressing their desire to have Isaiah leave the show. Isaiah did his best to make amends for his behaviour by meeting with Gay and Lesbian rights groups as well as making a public service announcement. Unfortunately for Isaiah, it’s too little too late. When the new season of Grey’s Anatomy airs in the fall, he is not welcome back to the set.
I for one have yet to see an episode of Grey’s Anatomy so I can’t exactly comment on whether Isaiah’s departure will help or hinder the show. What I do know for sure is that this will probably be a great sigh of relief for the cast. Katharine Heigl has often commented to the media about the incident by saying that the set is very tense and things were beginning to get uncomfortable. T.R. I’m sure is feeling a lot better knowing he doesn’t have to go to work surrounded by negative energy and ill feelings towards one of his fellow cast members.
There’s very little that needs to be said about Isaiah leaving Grey’s Anatomy, but there is a lot to be said about the lesson in humanity. Typically I’m not the sort of person who will preach about Gay rights or Gay issues in general, but I am one who understands them. As I’ve grown up and lived life the way that I have, I’ve often found myself oppressed or offended or insulted by many people along the way, and luckily I’ve found a way to overcome it all. Whether or not you are in support of someone’s life style, religion, or the colour of their skin, you have no right to comment or disapprove of it. People should be allowed to say, do, love, and feel however they want as long as it isn’t affecting or harming anyone. To use racial or homophobic slurs against another person doesn’t hurt me, it doesn’t offend me; it causes me to pity that person.
To say I find homophobic slurs offensive is an understatement. I don’t comment on your lifestyle, what gives you the right to comment on mine. Personally, I find it pathetic, weak, and extremely sad when people have to result to insults as petty as those that Isaiah used against T.R. Maybe this is a lesson learned, or perhaps Isaiah won’t take anything from this. According to statements Isaiah is ‘mad as hell and he’s not going to take it.’ News flash Isaiah, you’ve been fired… there’s very little left you can do.
Only time will tell what is next, if anything, for Isaiah Washington and his career. Are people going to be willing to work with a known homophobe and someone who behaves in an angry negative manner? I wouldn’t tend to think so, but stranger things have happened. In the coming months I’m sure we’ll see what Isaiah is up to, but until then I for one hope that he takes a little time to think before he speaks.
Sean (Maybe I can be the new Grey’s Anatomy doctor…)
