Isaiah Washington Taking Life a Day at a Time, Focusing On Foundation
Mired in controversy, Isaiah Washington says he's moving on after being fired from Grey's Anatomy.
"In the coming months, all I'm working on right now is trying to focus on day-to-day life and what I'm doing with the foundation, what I'm doing with the family," Washington, 43, told People.
"It starts at the home."
The actor is chairman of the Gondobay Manga Foundation, which works to improve life in Sierra Leone (the foundation was inspired by Washington's discovery that he is genetically linked to that country's Mende people).
And next month he'll go to Ghana for the African Union Summit, where he and 50 other influential African-Americans will meet with 53 African presidents to discuss the continent's future.
On Friday, Washington and Jamie Foxx, Chris Tucker, Mos Def and Herbie Hancock spoke to reporters at L.A.'s Four Seasons Hotel in support of men's fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, who is organizing the event.
The now-former Grey's Anatomy star, who has traveled to Africa multiple times for charity work, explained his passion for the continent.
"Once you get awareness of who you are and how you're here, then I believe there's a responsibility that you have," he said. "And seeing that I can afford to take part in that, I have to be responsible."
Washington was fired from ABC's hit medical series after a gay slur he made in reference to co-star T.R. Knight. Asked if there were any misconceptions about him, he said:
"I don't know. 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, to Paul Robeson. A misconception can happen to any man of power that loves himself and wants to spread that love and that humanity throughout the world."
June 18th, 2007 3:04 PM
God has a lot of good things instore for Isaiah. I'm so proud of this beautiful black man. I'm proud of you, baby! (smile)
June 18th, 2007 3:06 PM
YOU GO BOY!
June 18th, 2007 3:09 PM
YOU GO BOY! (with your fine self)
June 18th, 2007 3:41 PM
Now we know where he draws out the humanity he has imbued the character of Dr. Burke with. It is more than talent, it is the very center of the man. I'm glad that, being what he is, he is aware of being misunderstood, misquoted and misinterpreted. That means, the rocks thrown at him will not deter him from pursuing his bigger vision for his race, for his cause.
June 18th, 2007 3:52 PM
AMEN!
June 18th, 2007 5:47 PM
I am proud of the way he is handling himself in the wake of this travesty. You are so right, Bayfront, he is meant for bigger things and I have faith that he will achieve them. I just wish I wouldn't miss his alter ego Preston Burke so much on Greys Anatomy. It will be even worse this fall. It is even hard to watch season one and two when thei Burke and Cristina relationship was brand new and so hopeful because I know the horrible way it ends. It is like a great book with an awful ending that you have invested 500 pages in only to discover in the end you have been duped by the author. Maybe after the loss of this character isn't quite so painful I will enjoy the first two seasons again.
June 18th, 2007 7:12 PM
I wish him well.
You know the old saying - when one door closes, another one opens....
June 18th, 2007 7:35 PM
He's a bigger man than people give him credit for. Grey's Anatomy was a big part of his life and he will be missed. But it goes to show that his mistake was not the sum total of who he is. God will bless him because there no one greater who can.
June 18th, 2007 7:52 PM
"A misconception can happen to any man of power that loves himself and wants to spread that love and that humanity throughout the world."
And he planned on spreading that love and humanity throughout the world by calling someone a faggot, and then denying it on national television? I think he needs a new plan.
June 18th, 2007 8:57 PM
He's still a wonderful man. Regardless of what people say about him. He has apologized over and over and God has forgiven him. If God has forgiven him, who are we to judge. I still have great respect for him. He's given so much of himself to his fans, his family and to humanity. And God sees that! And because of that, God is going to open up the windows of Heaven and pour him out a blessing that he won't have room enough to receive. And he's going on anyhow, enjoying the fruits of his labor while the little people that don't have anything else better to do but hold grudges and whine about the past, sit on the sidelines and watch. ABC may not have his back, Shonda Rhimes may not have his back, his own former castmates may not have had his back, but his fans do! And so does God. That's alright. Kick him while he's down. God says He will make your enemies your footstool. He says He will make you the head and not the tail. And Isaiah is bouncing back as we speak. All I have left to say is, "What goes around,comes around.
June 18th, 2007 11:44 PM
God Bless and good luck to Mr. Washington. And I truly believe that he is misunderstood and that people do have these misconceptions about him.
June 19th, 2007 3:53 AM
http://www.petitiononline.com/weluviw/
June 19th, 2007 7:07 AM
Dude, you compared yourself to Malcom X. Lame.
And we all know that you're not a homophobe, just an overmasculine ass that used a usually homophobic word to describe someone that you thought was weak.
That being said, it doesnt save you from being an ass.
I loved you on "Ghost Ship".
June 19th, 2007 7:47 AM
This article showed me once again, what a great man Isaiah is!
I wish him all the best with his current and future projects and I really hope to see him again soon!
June 19th, 2007 9:19 AM
Amazing man! Truly amazing! god bless u!!!! And hope u alll the best for the future.
June 19th, 2007 9:32 AM
Has anyone seen some of the Greys clips from Access Hollywood regarding this situation?
June 19th, 2007 11:28 AM
I'm happy that IW is moving on with his life and wish him the very best. I would hope that he will continue any good works in which he was participating. But he's no longer on GA, can we move on already??? Is this really GA news anymore?
June 19th, 2007 11:36 AM
If Grey's Anatomy Insider would stop posting articles about him, whether it is about the show or his personal endevors and remove him all together, maybe we could.
June 19th, 2007 11:40 AM
There are keeping it fresh by still talking about him. They continue to pour salt in the wound by not letting it go. So how can the fans.
June 19th, 2007 11:41 AM
I agree with Burke Backer. It's hard to watch Seasons 1 & 2 when you know that it's all going to end terribly.
Good luck to Isaiah Washington. He was my favorite on Grey's, but it looks like he has bigger plans.
June 19th, 2007 1:12 PM
Wow vicky, your comments are simply inspiring and so true they really resonate with me - ABC, his castmates, Shonda R may not have his back but God does and you know what?...that is all he needs. I really wish him well and hope that good things come out of what must have been a harrowing experience. I will miss Burke greatly, his relationship with Cristina (and that cocky but cool manner of his) were virtually the only reasons I tuned in to watch GA and I doubt that I will be following it as avidly as I did before. We all had our favourite people I guess and for me Burke and Cristina were awesome. I'll be keeping an open mind about the fate of GA - Shonda has been brilliant thus far at keeping the fans entertained and I'm sure she and the suits at ABC realise how important it is to fill the void left by IW with great storylines..so..we'll see. I wish them well too, certainly I would not want to see Shondas project fail or the other stars like EP, SO job hunting again. The best that can come out if this fiasco is that GA AND Isaiah go from strength to strength!
June 19th, 2007 3:37 PM
I think it's sad that a couple of bad decisions will define this man's, or any man's, career. We all make mistakes and say things that we either don't mean or didn't think through. I find it irritating that the network and the show's producers were unable to work with Isaiah through this and perhaps work toward a public show of forgiveness and strength.
June 19th, 2007 8:56 PM
I loved Isaiah on GA and will miss him greatly, and I hope to see some more of his talent in the near future. I really think he is a great actor, and I wish him all the best!
June 19th, 2007 9:41 PM
Bring him back on the show. Please don't pull an ER and start getting rid of the best characters.
June 20th, 2007 2:28 PM
Watching GA was almost like a religion for me,and it is a real let down knowing that Isaiah will not be a part of the fourth season. I really loved his character and I am going to miss him. Right now I am not sure if I will love it as much.