NBC gives Isaiah a "second chance"...

[tinkyjem]

My Opinion,
I hate the N word. I can't stand to hear it at all. It just makes my skin crawl. So does F**got.

Here is where the 2 situations differ.

Isaiah Washington was one of the stars of the show that was in production.
Davis was on a REALITY show ( well as real as it could be don't even get me starte don this topic)
This being said it was the roommates choice along with Mtv's choice to get rid of, or let Davis stay. I don't know how exactly the real world contract works, but they typically the "strangers" live in this house anywhere from 6 to 9 months. By the time the show actually airs , filming is usually done or real close to being done. So what we see is a reflection of the choices.
In the"Real World" they are suppose to deal with real world situations be they staged or what ever it is on their own just as anyone would in the actual world. Ultimately its between Tyree and Davis.
Davis use of the N word was said in a drunken stupor, and in a state of anger/panic.
But this did exactly what it was supposed to do, get more viewers because of drama.

Isaiah's contract was coming up for renewal. These contracts are usually for 2 years (typically). Thus it was ABC's choice not to renew his contract.
He said it in a moment of anger. He is a public face, so when something like this comes out its damaging to his career. And this is not the first time he has done something like this and was in major need of some kind of anger management. Do you think if T.R. had said the N word that they would have handled it as nicely? They at least let Isaiah finish his contract.

just my 2 cents

 

[falconfan]

The damage done backstage was unfixable unless Isaiah changed his attitude. Sure he put on a nice show for people who didn't have to interact with him everyday but the only way the cast could continue to function was through his removal and that's why it happens... not to mention HE PUNCHED A COWORKER AND CALLED ANOTHER ONE A BITCH.

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

1) If it hadn't been for the Image Award, it would have been dropped. When Washington accepted the award, to a standing ovation nonetheless, was when things hit the fan. If he had been disqualified or had not accepted the award, things would have been different. But the point of the Image award is that the person is supposed to be a role model in the black community, and by allowing such a person, someone who had no problem using slurs and violence to get what he wanted, to become an Image recipient sets a bad precedent. How serious can you take an award that rewards bad behavior?

2) That Image award is the difference between the situations. That, and that Washington had established his reputation on a different set. Now, show me that Davis had a reputation for using said slur and I'll see their equation, but I'm just not seeing how it's even possible to compare them (outside of some serious need to lynch someone...).

3) I know that I'm going to love asking this question, but: How seriously do you expect the n-word to be taken as a racial slur when it's used as part of everyday vocabulary? For those over thirty, it's easy to see that it is a word that shouldn't be used, but for the younger generations it's just a word that blacks use for pretty much everything. At what point does everyday use dilute its value as a racial slur? It's becoming really hard to attack it as a racial slur rather than a generic insult...

4) Another issue to consider is that people are starting to see the n-word as racial, but not in terms of something that non-blacks use to insult blacks, but as a way blacks exclude others. Worse, as the black community continues to use it as its go-to word for almost everything, and as kids copy the black community, it's going to lose its power to offend. Had it happened a decade ago, the Davis incident would have been shocking. But, when we've heard the n-word used for almost everything from a generic insult to best friend, it just doesn't have the strength it used to have, so it shouldn't be a major surprise that the network that sees the most of it from its rap stars gave one of its reality stars so little punishment...

RG

 

[RobinGoodfellow]

It's funny to me how all the white gay guys decided to witch hunt Washington in an attempt to make an "example" out of him.

Actually, this sort of ignores that there were a lot of black gay men wanting his head as well, but if it makes you feel better about yourself...

Yet a black man (behind the scenes, off camera) is reported to hurling a slur at a gay *white* man, and it's fucking Armageddon.

All that should matter is that a slur was tossed, and punishing whoever said it. If Knight had dropped the n-bomb at Washington, can you not see the same basic thing happening?

RG

 

[phoenix72]

Actually, this sort of ignores that there were a lot of black gay men wanting his head as well, but if it makes you feel better about yourself...


All that should matter is that a slur was tossed, and punishing whoever said it. If Knight had dropped the n-bomb at Washington, can you not see the same basic thing happening?

RG

agreed i heard that crap and i'm like this dude is freaking jack ass. yes i had been a fan of his from movies and such, but not Grey's Anatomy after hearing that crap. i felt he needed to be gone then and what now he gets another chance..for what to f*** it up again or take a space from someone more deserving and a hell of a lot more graceful. He's an ass..black or white color doesnt matter at all. he screwed himself over.