Why, pray tell, are you giving an Image Award to Isaiah Washington, immediately after he famously launched a nasty, homophobic epithet at one of his co-workers?
I know it was an award for acting, not for being a stand-up guy, except the awards are ostensibly to "celebrate diversity in the arts," so it's nevertheless painful and disappointing to watch the award be given to someone who himself clearly doesn't celebrate said diversity. I wouldn't have guessed that hatred of gays was the sort of image your Image Awards hoped to project.
What were you thinking?
Sincerely,
Shakespeare's Sister
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Dear Isaiah Washington,
Congratulations on your Image Award. I understand from your acceptance speech that it's the second one you've won.
"The first time I was up here I felt deserving of something. This time I feel privileged."Privileged. That's an interesting word choice, Mr. Washington—because, in fact you are privileged. You're privileged with the undeserved advantage conferred upon straight people, just like I am. And also just like me, you've got membership in privileged groups while simultaneously being a member of a non-privileged group. You're straight and male…and brown. I'm straight and white…and female.
Being brown, like being female, and being gay, puts a person at a disadvantage in our society, as I'm sure you know—and, if not, perhaps you could talk to some of the people from that organization who gave you that nice award. From that (disad)vantage point, we have choices. We can choose to unite against those who would oppress us all, or we can snipe at each other in pathetic, desperate, and ultimately futile attempts to ingratiate ourselves with our oppressors via the sycophancy of imitation.
Mr. Washington, whaddaya say? Let's get united. Demeaning others will only, in the end, strengthen those who would do the same to you, and me, and the man who was the victim of your bigotry. We'll all be stronger if you give up the easy self-flattery of trading on your privilege.
Best regards,
Shakespeare's Sister
P.S. H/T to Oddjob.
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