Should Isaiah Washington be fired for calling TR Knight the F word?

Question

ABC has received over 8,000 e-mails asking for his termination.

I say, if the whole "Big Brother" debacle can cross international lines, doesn't this need to be addressed too?

What I mean by the Big Brother debacle is the outcry going out over a real or perceived slander of another person due to culture, gender, sexual preference, etc...

What Isaiah Washington has to do with that goes without saying. Perhaps you aren't up on the story.

TR Knight has stated publicly on the Ellen DeGeneres show that it was said in a derogatory manner (to someone else in reference to him, and he himself heard it), and he was hurt by it.

And yes, TR Knight is gay. He subsequently came out after the incident. (He stated that his CLOSE friends and family already knew).

Answer 1

October 9, 2006, Washington said the word, and on October 25, 2006 Washington apologized.

On January 15, 2007, Washington said the word again, this time on television. Since he said the word a second time, I think he should be fired.

Answer 2

Yes, I do. Not because he said it once, but because he said it again, on the nite of the Golden Globes when it just wasn't necessary. THEN a producer got up and lied, saying that the 1st and original time, "never happened." THIS is why I will never watch "Grey's Anatomy" again. If they hadn't lied or used the F word AGAIN "and" lied then it would have been no big deal, just another homophobe, I could and do change the channel when he comes on. However, when the producer LIED, it showed a problem WITH THE SHOW. Therefore, I cannot watch it, anymore.

Answer 3

Would you go into a bit more detail on this?

Were both men in the Big Brother series as contestants?
Was it part of their daily routine (ie, they don't like each other)?
Do they normally call each other names?
Is TR Knight really gay?

See, I think it would be silly for anyone to take any action on what one person says to another. If I was walking down the street and someone called me a F###in' Cracker, I think I'd laugh. If they called me a f@g, I think I'd just shake my head and wonder how they're going to be doing in 3 years with a mentality like that.

Names are words. They may hurt, but they're just words. We are hurt only because we give them meaning. If someone calls you gay, say something completely off kilter like, looking at your watch and saying,"yes, but it's 2:05 pm right now." And leave it at that. Chances are, if you continue to give them the time evey time they call you gay THEY will be the ones shaking their heads and walking away. You can laugh about it for years. If you are called a f@g, let them know that you're only wearing white socks because your gray ones are dirty.

We all know what these words mean - but why not give them different meanings when they're used in an unkind way. The opposite of what some black folks did with the N word.

To Gay's:
Gay = Homosexual
F@G = Homosexual
Queer = Popular, no sorry, it's Homosexual :-)

To Gay Bashers:
Gay = "I should have taken some asprin an hour ago."
F@G = "What color socks are you wearing?"
Queer = "I want to go to a zoo and see my relatives."

Think of how funny it would be to watch as the entire "unfriendly community" suddenly stopped and scratched their heads for a while trying to figure out what the hell we're talking about. They'd have to come up with all new words.

It's a mean thought behind a stupid word. I suggest laughing at him, maybe even publically humiliating him without once mentioning it's for any retaliation for this word (so we don't give the word any more power over us) and let him taste his own miasma.

Answer 4

I think it's sad that in 2007 people are still name calling. I do believe the issue needs to be addressed, and I believe an apology not a denial is in order, perhaps even publicly.
How do you suppose Mr. Washington would have reacted if Mr. Knight had called him a N......? Not very well I would think.
It's high time we as individuals took the high road, we need to rise above the need to name call.. What are we teaching our children?

Answer 5

After the Golden Globes outburst, I would say the it's time for some sort of action to be taken. As for your comparison to Big Brother, I haven't a clue.

Answer 6

I think that's completely up to the network as to what kind of disciplinary action they take. I think that forced attendance at some sort of tolerance seminar would be better, personally, but if they want to stand back and do nothing that is wholly their right (especially if he ceases in creating a hostile workplace).

Answer 7

Wow...I didn't know he did that. Well, he is one of the main characters, and a great actor at that, of "Grey's Anatomy." He plays a very important role, and it would be hard, very hard, to write him out, keep the story interesting, and keep raking in the money and viewers. So, no, probably NOT.[Though that is veryyy unacceptable what he did, to anyone, for that matter.]

Answer 8

Fired?
Maybe, maybe not. I would have him make a public apology to the gay community at large. Why should he be treated any differently than the Michael Richards incident?

Answer 9

Depends if it was accurate or not.
Did Isaiah ever witness the 'F' in action?
can he prove that Knight is an 'F'?
What exactly is an 'F' word?
For I know what I call the f-word and I think we may have our words crossed up.
I have heard 'F's call each other f's...is that acceptable?
Is F a derogatry or descriptive term?
There is just not enough facts for me to properly answer this question.

Answer 10

No , I don't think he should be fired. It was very wrong but he apologized and he seems to understand how bad his comment was...We all at one time in life have said something we totaly regret. Though If he continues with ANY anti gay behavior I think he should be swiftly fired.