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Garry is a young black professional, Florida State and UNC Law grad, and attorney currently residing in Miami, FL.

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Losing Isaiah (and I hope the word ‘faggot’)

June 8th, 2007 • Related • Filed Under

Isiah Washington

Words have power, and far too often we see them used to dehumanize people because of our differences.

The above quote is from Isaiah Washington over a PSA he did for GLAAD after his much maligned use of the word “faggot.” Well, the star was not asked to return to Grey’s Anatomy, the hit series on which he played an attending surgeon and Chief of Surgery candidate. Ironic that on a show congratulated for its diversity Washington plundered an aspect of one cast member that contributes to such diversity and used it against him.

So is it justified that Washington lost his job? I think so, the same way I think Imus should have, not that I would have been utterly outraged if either hadn’t lost their jobs. I just don’t think the punishment exceeded the harm in either case. But, is there disparity of treatment based on use of this word? Ann Coulter was criticized, but didn’t lose either of her jobs or notoriety after using the word to imply weakness and fallibility when referring to John Edwards. Tim Hardaway was banned from NBA All-Star game activities this year after saying he hated gay people, in response to former player John Amaechi’s coming out. Perhaps a difference is that Coulter’s position is one of author and commentator, inherently free-thinking and insulated in many ways, however controversial or sensational; add to that the (seemingly) anti-gay conservative views with which she is faithfully aligned (and protected by). On the other hand, corporate oversight meant advertising, viewers, listeners and thus a lot more money and publicity were at stake in Imus, Hardaway and Washington’s situations.

And what about the intra-familial use of the word? Fredric commented on the baseless argument by some to differentiate the term ‘nigga’ from ‘nigger.’ Well, no hullabaloo was made when Will (Eric McCormack) called Jack (Sean Hayes) “notorious F.A.G.” on an episode of Will & Grace or when Karen (Megan Mullaly) said “fags are a hoot.” I personally don’t think a distinction should be made, because when someone yells “faggot” from behind you at 2 a.m. in the morning, the fear, defensiveness and quick switch to survival mode is not comfortable, welcome, or fair. So, why do or say anything to make it seem it might be ok?

Whether America’s children will learn from stock, knee-jerk apologies (which appear to me to be more the work of Artist agencies and publicists) from these celebrities is anyone’s guess. In the meantime, my feeling is if we are concerned about the use of the words in any circumstance, let’s be proactive. Let’s not contribute to any confusion or potential hypocrisy. Let’s put any shame or doubt to rest. Let’s do what we have been encouraged to do so many times before and so many times on this site: be the change we want to see in the world. Don’t use the word.

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