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*Some things are more easily understood when the unnecessary details are stripped away. Some things can be summed up in just a few words.
Isaiah Washington…learn from this and let it go.
If this were Econ class, Mo’Kelly would apply the Law of Diminishing Returns. For those unfamiliar, imagine eating one of those BBQ hamburgers or hotdogs you had on Independence Day. It tasted good, had a “degree” of nourishment for the body and satisfied your hunger to a certain extent. You eat another…it may taste just as good and the remaining variables also hold true. But from about the third burger or hotdog on…diminishing returns. It doesn’t quite taste as good, the charcoal and smoke are becoming more and more toxic to your system and very soon, you’re sick. The more you eat, the less good it does for you.
Isaiah Washington is about on his 12th hamburger. Let it go man. You’re poisoning what little of a career you have left. The more you say, the less good it does for you.
Washington appeared on Larry King Live last week to tell “his side” of the story in regards to his on-set altercation with former Grey’s Anatomy co-star Patrick Dempsey.
Hasn’t he been “telling his side” for months now?
Washington has argued that he should not have been fired, given his acquiescence to every demand set forth by the network in the wake of his homophobic remarks.
Isaiah Washington didn’t get it then and still doesn’t get it now.
A sincere apology is offered independently of any dangling carrot. A sincere apology is one offered solely because the preceding offense warranted it…period, end of story. Apologies should not have employment caveats and clauses attached. Contrition doesn’t work that way.
Isaiah Washington missed the point and continues to miss it badly.
Washington’s “apology” was done in a “quid pro quo” manner. His frustration, by his own admission was born in large part from being fired AFTER jumping through all the hoops set before him by ABC. In other words, Washington was mad that his “apology” and “counseling” didn’t equate to job security.
“I did everything I said I would do. I offered to go to counseling, to do a public service announcement. I wanted everyone to know I was remorseful.”
Given Washington’s “frustration” of late, one could assume he would’ve abstained from apologizing altogether if he suspected his “goodwill” would go “unrewarded.” It puts Washington’s “apology” in its proper perspective…one of insincerity.
Isaiah Washington also fails to understand that silence can be golden. The more he says, the less appeal he has as an actor and individual. The more he talks, the less of a career future he possesses.
"Maybe for 50 years and the history of media and television I represent something that's supposed to not exist...This happened to Malcolm X, this happened to Paul Robeson -- this misconception can happen to any man of power that loves himself and wants to spread that love and that humanity throughout the world."
Memo to Washington (and Wesley Snipes for that matter), the misguided comparisons to great social revolutionaries don’t present you as historically “informed,” it makes you seem silly and out of touch with reality. Do not attempt to dovetail on the legacies of great African-Americans; it’s offensive.
"I apologized and showed my remorse for what I said and for the pain I caused anyone. If a black man can't get forgiveness in this country, when so many other people like Robert Downey Jr. and the governor of California get second and third chances... I think that says a lot about race and this country where we stand."
Robert Downey Jr. was fired from Ally McBeal after he had a relapse during the 2000 season. Any “second chances” Downey received were on other shows. Any “second chances” Washington will receive will also be on other shows. That is, if Washington can avoid talking himself out of a career. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger was in the midst of running for public office, meaning voters would have the final say as to whether he’s forgiven. But in private business, it’s not put up to a vote and the CEO (or network executives in this case) will have the final say.
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
If you just recently completed anger management counseling for an issue that led to you being fired, your first statement after being fired probably shouldn’t be…
“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
Washington was not debunking the criticism levied at him throughout his career, he's was validating it.
“Well, it didn’t help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn’t a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time. I didn’t speak like I’d just left the plantation and that can be a problem for people sometime.”
“I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that ’some people’ were afraid of me around the studio. I asked her why, because I’m a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn’t go around saying ‘Yessah, massa sir’ and ‘No sir, massa’ to everyone?”
This is a tirade that is best suited for the ears of friends, confidantes, family members…but not for the press. It again reeks of poor judgment and questionable emotional control. For someone who has complained mightily about his inability to rise above the status of “working actor,” Washington might want to take a closer look at these words and see the correlation. Sidney Poitier, Morgan Freeman and even the outspoken Harry Belafonte inarguably had it much harder throughout their respective careers but never, ever exhibited less common sense.
One would assume Washington has a publicist…fire him or her immediately. No publicist worth his or her salt would’ve allowed Washington to release these statements or to engage the media in such a fashion for this protracted length of time. It’s bad judgment all the way around.
The failings in Washington’s career are of his own doing and his own perpetuation. The incident(s) which led to his dismissal from Grey’s Anatomy are emblematic of his inability to take responsibility for his actions. Washington has been willing to lecture the masses on what it means to be a Black man in Hollywood but conveniently forgets that the first rules of manhood are always accountability and responsibility. Lately, he’s exhibited neither.
Washington is less popular than ever before and much of that has to do with his lack of self-control in the time since leaving ABC, NOT the incidents preceding his dismissal. If he thought he had a hard time making his way through Hollywood before…wait until he figures out how many more doors just slammed in his face.
Nobody said Washington had to keep his head bowed or shuck and jive his way through his career. But unequivocally, Mo’Kelly is saying that Washington’s career has been a reflection of Washington’s behavior, which has sold his remarkable talent short. What Washington needs to do is learn from this situation…learn to let it go and learn to just stop talking about it. It surely won’t bring back his old job and isn’t improving future prospects.
As they always say…don’t be “bitter,” be “better.”
Washington has yet to display that he’s “better” than the irresponsible commentary that’s been devoid of accountability. But he’s surely proven he’s bitter. Nobody wants to date the bitter, jilted lover or hire the bitter, angry actor.
Isaiah Washington, first learn from this…and then let it go.
The Mo'Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant. It is meant to inform, infuse and incite meaningful discourse...as well as entertain. The Mo’Kelly Report is syndicated by Newstex. For more Mo’Kelly, http://www.mokellyreport.blogspot.com. Morris W. O'Kelly can be reached at mokellyreport@sbcglobal.net and he welcomes all commentary.