Free Isaiah Washington

Terrence Says, on calls for ABC to fire the brotha from "Grey's Anatomy" for calling actor T.R. Knight a 'faggot'. The black, gay moderate Democrat writes: "Allegations of double-standards and racism stem from white-run gay organizations ignoring complaints by the Black gay community regarding Charles Knipp, a 'black face' minstrel known as Shirley Q. Liquor, who perpetuates stereotypes of Black women and mocks Black culture such as Kwanzaa. I happen to agree with Ms. Cannick that there is a serious appearance of double-standards by organizations - including GLAAD (Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation) - the lead organization pursuing action against Washington. These same white-run gay organizations have not attacked Knipp - despite the fact concern has been consistently expressed by Black gays and Black gay activists, like Cannick- with the same vigor as they have Washington.....Although some people see the Washington and Knipp controversies as separate issues, the lingering question pertaining to double-standards, apathy and possible racism by white-run gay advocacy organizations is not, in my opinion. While Washington has apologized and is supposed to meet with GLAAD to atone for his misguided slur, meanwhile, Charles Knipp has continuously rationalized his black face Jim Crow-era antics with absolutely no remorse. GLAAD is nowhere to be found....Washington ultimately reaps what he sows, and from my perspective as a Black gay man, he made a bad decision to use the word. Since then, however, he has apologized, and now it is time to move on. He should not lose his job because some bitter, hypocritical gays can't let it go."

My response: Should Mr. Washington have uttered the slur back in October in the first place? Hell no. Should he have kept his damn mouth shut in response to that backstage interview after the Golden Globe Awards, instead of undermining the award win of his co-workers? Hell yes. Just for the record, I am not even a "Grey's Anatomy" fan. The few shows that I have seen have bored me. However, I don't see or hear any black gay organizations or prominent black gay activists condemning the man, and I don't like this snow job by white gay groups. Especially when I read that Mr. Washington's behavior may be grounds for dismissal under the anti-discrimination policy of ABC and parent company Disney, while white lesbian Rosie O'Donnell - who recently uttered racist comments (about Asians) - on the same network and on air - ain't facing dismissal. Citing double standards by white gay activists and in response to their petition for Mr. Washington to lose his job, Jasmyne Cannick, a black lesbian activist - who personally knows Mr. Washington - launched a counterpetition about three days ago. Almost 2,500 people (including myself) have already signed the "keep Washington" petition here.