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So much has been said and speculated recently about the Isaiah Washington controversy. Last week I was
interviewed on KJLH, 102.3 FM, a Los Angeles based radio station to discuss Isaiah and the use of the “F-
word” slur targeted towards the gay community.
Attached to this message is a link to listen to the radio interview with host, Adai. You will hear callers both for
and against Isaiah Washington’s actions as well as comments from some callers who were just plain sick and
tired of gays ranting and raving over what they perceived to be nothing.
But throughout the interview and throughout this entire situation my biggest concern has been what can we learn
from it; how can we grow from it; and what do we understand from it?
I personally believe that although there has been a lot of pain, hurt, and conflict caused by the Isaiah Washington
controversy, this potentially could be a situation used for good by opening up a vibrant and diverse dialogue
around the issues of tolerance, intolerance and the conflict that often occurs between the two.
interviewed on KJLH, 102.3 FM, a Los Angeles based radio station to discuss Isaiah and the use of the “F-
word” slur targeted towards the gay community.
Attached to this message is a link to listen to the radio interview with host, Adai. You will hear callers both for
and against Isaiah Washington’s actions as well as comments from some callers who were just plain sick and
tired of gays ranting and raving over what they perceived to be nothing.
But throughout the interview and throughout this entire situation my biggest concern has been what can we learn
from it; how can we grow from it; and what do we understand from it?
I personally believe that although there has been a lot of pain, hurt, and conflict caused by the Isaiah Washington
controversy, this potentially could be a situation used for good by opening up a vibrant and diverse dialogue
around the issues of tolerance, intolerance and the conflict that often occurs between the two.
| We Must Be Consistent |
Thus far two emotional camps have developed from this controversy. There are those who want to see
Washington fired and those who think he should keep his job. Online petitions for both sides are virulently
making their way across the internet.
However, the most important point of this situation is that we must have consistency in how we approach and
deal with issues of intolerance. There are many Blacks who feel that the use of the “F-word” wasn’t that
significant a blow to the gay community and that the gay community should just grow up and move on.
But if the situation were reversed and Isaiah Washington’s fellow white cast mates, TR Knight or Patrick
Dempsey were to have used the “N-word” which caused a physical altercation and then repeatedly used the “N-
word” a few months later at the Golden Globes; there would probably be vast numbers of Black people gay and
straight, including myself who would call for some just penalty or even termination.
So why not have the same degree of hyper-activity surrounding the repeated use of the “F-word” towards gays or
even the “B-word” towards women? In my opinion one group of people that has been hurt by the words and
actions of intolerance is no better or less in value than another group of people who’ve been similarly hurt by the
words and actions of intolerance from others.
When a slur or an epithet is used whether it’s towards an Asian, Latino, Jewish, Black, Female or Gay person,
the outcome is still the same. It causes pain, hurt, and potentially could stoke the flames of intolerance to a
greater degree if the action goes publicly unchecked.
Whether it’s the “F-word,” the “N-word” or the “B-word” we must be very firm and very even-handed in our
actions and calls for a resolution and for greater tolerance. The Black community can no longer say that the “N-
word” is more powerful in its offense to the Black community than the “F-word” is for the Gay Community.
Latinos cannot say that the words used to denigrate them as a people are more stinging than the words used to
denigrate Jews or Women. We cannot rank our oppression or our pain against one another.
As a society we must become intolerant of intolerance period. We must also be unafraid to come to each other’s
defense in order to take a stand against intolerance and to promote a world that works for everyone by ending
discrimination of all kinds for all people. Hence, this is the true lesson to learn from the Isaiah Washington
controversy and for all of us to live up to.
Herndon L. Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV Host. He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com
Washington fired and those who think he should keep his job. Online petitions for both sides are virulently
making their way across the internet.
However, the most important point of this situation is that we must have consistency in how we approach and
deal with issues of intolerance. There are many Blacks who feel that the use of the “F-word” wasn’t that
significant a blow to the gay community and that the gay community should just grow up and move on.
But if the situation were reversed and Isaiah Washington’s fellow white cast mates, TR Knight or Patrick
Dempsey were to have used the “N-word” which caused a physical altercation and then repeatedly used the “N-
word” a few months later at the Golden Globes; there would probably be vast numbers of Black people gay and
straight, including myself who would call for some just penalty or even termination.
So why not have the same degree of hyper-activity surrounding the repeated use of the “F-word” towards gays or
even the “B-word” towards women? In my opinion one group of people that has been hurt by the words and
actions of intolerance is no better or less in value than another group of people who’ve been similarly hurt by the
words and actions of intolerance from others.
When a slur or an epithet is used whether it’s towards an Asian, Latino, Jewish, Black, Female or Gay person,
the outcome is still the same. It causes pain, hurt, and potentially could stoke the flames of intolerance to a
greater degree if the action goes publicly unchecked.
Whether it’s the “F-word,” the “N-word” or the “B-word” we must be very firm and very even-handed in our
actions and calls for a resolution and for greater tolerance. The Black community can no longer say that the “N-
word” is more powerful in its offense to the Black community than the “F-word” is for the Gay Community.
Latinos cannot say that the words used to denigrate them as a people are more stinging than the words used to
denigrate Jews or Women. We cannot rank our oppression or our pain against one another.
As a society we must become intolerant of intolerance period. We must also be unafraid to come to each other’s
defense in order to take a stand against intolerance and to promote a world that works for everyone by ending
discrimination of all kinds for all people. Hence, this is the true lesson to learn from the Isaiah Washington
controversy and for all of us to live up to.
Herndon L. Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV Host. He can be reached directly at www.herndondavis.com
| Isaiah Washington Commentary by: Herndon L. Davis |
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