Friday, October 27, 2006

HMMM, THEY DON'T QUITE GET IT, DO THEY?
Isaiah Washington finally spoke up this week about the Grey's Anatomy "faggot" incident we've been covering. Well, he sort of spoke up anyway. On Wednesday, Washington made a public apology for his words and actions via People.com. Washington said he regretted his behavior and the use of certain words as they are below his standards, blah, blah, blah.

Count me unconvinced, both by Isaiah, Grey's Anatomy, and the media in general. Since Isaiah chose to make this a public apology I'm a little puzzled as to why he didn't address the broader issue of offending the gay community (you know, the "public") with his choice of words. Mel Gibson didn't just apologize to the cops he insulted, but to women and Jews in general. It seems to me Isaiah should've done the same for us miffed 'mos.

As for those involved with Grey's Anatomy, they haven't exactly covered themselves in glory either. Washington's co-star, Katherine Heigl went on Ellen and explained the whole incident was "silly and manly" and over in "five minutes" and then everything was cuddly puppies and pink bows on the set.

Yeah, cuz really what is more manly than a straight guy calling a gay guy 'faggot"? Well, I suppose it would've been even more manly had Washington grabbed TR Knight by the throat.

As for Shonda Rhimes, Grey's creator, as far as I can tell she hasn't had boo to say about Washington's anti-gay slur. But the idea that Washington might be fired and replaced by Eriq La Salle, as if the two are interchangeable just because they are black, is really disturbing to her. I agree--that is disturbing, but it seems even more disturbing to me that neither Shonda nor anyone else from ABC has bothered to reach out to the gay community and say they find homophobia to be really disturbing as well. However, Shonda did find the time to say the incident was only four and a half seconds long and that she has already moved on. Thank heavens for that! I wouldn't want Shonda worrying about this unduly or anything.

Not that I'm bitter.

Finally, the mainstream really doesn't get this issue. For the vast majority of them the use of the word "faggot" is apparently a trifle hardly worth taking time away from obsessing about Madonna's adoption or some Dancing with the Stars scandal. Most people who read about the incident don't even know what was said because the media have so underplayed the slur aspect. (Half of them still say Washington "allegedly" made the comment even when writing about his apology!) Zap2it.com's coverage included the gem that Washington called Knight a "bad name". Yeah, I don't think so. A "bad name" would be jerk-face or butthead. Faggot is a slur, pretty much one of the nastiest things you can call a gay man. Given the media's craptastic coverage of the whole thing, I can't say I'm terribly surprised. Disgusted, yes, but definitely not surprised. We've said it before, but I'll say it again: if this incident had been Dempsey using the "N" word the outcry would have rightfully loud and indignant.

BTW, Washington had been scheduled to go on Ellen this week to discuss the issue, but didn't, citing a schedule conflict. I'm not sure if it was his sense of ego conflicting with sense of humility or something else. Now I need to go take something for my blood-pressure!

LIVE FROM NEW YORK! IT'S THE BEST.GAY.WEEK.EVER!
Normally my deadline for this column is Thursday evening, but as I flew back on Thursday there may be some breaking news I missed. Hopefully, Brad didn't get axed from Survivor because I know how crushed you'd all be if I didn't report it with all my thoughtful analysis.

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