Isaiah Washington PSA Will Air Tonight
The public service announcement from Isaiah Washington regarding the tolerance and acceptance of homosexuals will air tonight during repeats of Grey's Anatomy, the Orlando Sentinel reports.
Here's a quote from the ad Washington recorded on behalf of gay rights groups, which will run during the two-part "Six Days" this evening:
"Words have power. The power to express love, happiness and joy. They also have the power to heal. When you use words that demean a person because of their sexual orientation, race or gender, you send a message of hate. A very powerful message. But we all have the power to demand better from one another and from ourselves. We have the power to heal and change the world by the words we use."
Washington has gone to great lengths to make amends since coming under scrutiny for two incidents in which he referred to his gay co-star, T.R. Knight, by a derogatory slur.
While more people surely would have gotten to hear this positive message during last week's season finale, it's still appropriate for it to air during an episode of Grey's Anatomy and we're pleased that it is.
Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.
More Grey's Anatomy News
Grey's Anatomy Season Finale Preview: The Perfect Storm
Grey's Anatomy Caption Contest 361
Grey's Anatomy Review: Ready or Not
Grey's Anatomy Clip: The Storm is Coming ...
Meredith: People change, but they don't change.
May 26th, 2007 10:59 AM
Hi Jackie, I am sorry that you feel so strongly that Isaiah is trying to keep this whole thing in the media. I don't know why he would do that. The entire incident has been damaging to him both personally and professionally. TR was not on the set at the time of the argument and by TR's own account came out of where ever he was to see what was going on just in time to overheard Isaiah refer to him by a slur. Isaiah was not addressing him and didn't know he was there or that he could hear him. That doesn't make it right, but it is different that confronting TR and calling him a name. I do believe Isaiah was deeply sorry that he offended TR with his words. I can't see in his heart anymore than you can, but there is nothing in his past history to lead me to believe that he is a homophobe prior to this one incident of name calling.
In the case of the Golden Globes, Ted Casablanca from eonline asked him directly about the homophobic slur and he tried to set the record straight by
May 26th, 2007 10:40 AM
This entire chain of responses is so sad to me. First of all, I don't think Isaiah needed to change what is in his heart because I don't believe he ever was a homophobe. He used a bad word in anger and regretted it. I don't know anyone, myself included, who has not called someone a name or reacted to something in a way that I later regretted with words that I didn't really mean.
Isaiah is an African American man who as a boy watched his father gunned down in the streets of Houston, Texas. Was it racially motivated? I don't know. I do know that as an African American man growing up in the South at a volitile time in our country's history, he is a man who has more than likely been at the receiving end of slurs his entire life. He has not let it define who he is. He went out and did something extraordinary. He became a well respected and successful actor. I think for that reason he really did not understand the magnitude of the reaction to using this word in reference to T
May 25th, 2007 7:20 PM
TR was there when it happend. Isiaha brought it up again in Janurary and has brought it up many times since. Fake rehab, pulling himself out of the Emmy's this phoney PSA. The person who needs to let this die is Isiaha and he won't let that happen.
May 25th, 2007 4:15 AM
This happen in October here we are seven months later debating the issue. I never did agree or will ever agree with what Isaiah did it was wrong. I also didn't agree with everything TR did after it happen. Let's not forget gossip because TR actually wasn't present when it was said. Who let it leak outside the four walls of where it happen for the press to have a field day with it. To me that is where the majority of the problem started. I don't think we got 100% of the truth anyway. It got physical between Patrick and Isaiah. People started calling Isaiah bad names. I like that old saying two wrongs don't make a right. I think MJ made a good point. What Isaiah said is not the only problem people have they have just made it the focal point.
May 24th, 2007 9:28 PM
No, continuing to hate is what keeps hatred alive.
May 24th, 2007 9:01 PM
I think one has to be given the opportunity to change and I wonder if he's been given a fair chance to change. We are not in his heart so we have to judge base on the fact that he is trying. Imagine for an instant that a man who has played gay characters before may have simply made a mistake. We are all human and maybe are inability to forgive and take his apology at face value should be examined the same way he examined his temper and word choice.
May 24th, 2007 8:16 PM
so..does that mean that IW's gone? or not? cuz he's an incredible actor.
May 24th, 2007 5:18 PM
I'm sorry but I'm not believing for a mintue that he's changed.
May 24th, 2007 3:00 PM
You mean this?
Gansiger in Dallas: Is Isaiah Washington leaving Grey's Anatomy?
I've now heard from various reliable sources that Isaiah has been taking meetings in New York and Los Angeles in search of a new job that would take place during the coming TV season, so it certainly appears that Isaiah's Grey's days are over. Insiders at ABC tell me "not everyone will be coming back" to Grey's this fall, and although T.R. Knight's fate was also left hanging in the balance after the season finale, I'm hearing he's gonna be back (gotta wrap up that love triangle, not to mention his betrothed is the new chief resident!) but like I said, Isaiah looks to be a goner. (Kinda makes that scene of Cristina ripping the shackle off her neck while sobbing "I'm free" and the Chief's lecture to Burke that he's "disappointed" in him this year all the more poignant, no?)
Please!
May 24th, 2007 2:27 PM
Posted May 22, Kristen on E! Stated IW is definately GONE
TR is staying!!!!