Just Asking...Does the Punishment Fit the Crime?

Is it just me or does the whole hoopla around Isaiah Washington's homophobic outburst on the set of Grey's Anatomy seem a little overdone? For those of you who don't know, apparently Mr. Washington, who is rumored to have a bit of a temper, was having a heated on-set argument with Patrick "McDreamy" Dempsey . During said argument, Mr. Washington referred to newly outed co-star T.R. Knight as a "faggot." This all happened in October and Washington apologized. But then he apparently denied using the "f-word" when he was interviewed at the Golden Globe Awards in December.

So...now Isaiah Washington is making the front page of national newspapers for his horrific crime, is reportedly seeking therapy to help him deal with this problem, and the gossip rags are saying ABC is looking for a replacement for his character on the show!!!! I'm confused. Is it because he used a homophobic slur or is it because he lied that people are so darn angry?

Now I would never condone people walking around spewing off hateful names. I think name-calling is extremely hurtful and just plain wrong. But still, something about this scenario is making me feel like Washington is being used as some sort of example. Of what I'm not sure.

I don't want to say it.

I don't want to go there.

But I can't help it.

Is this happening because Washington is Black and he should just know better than to use hateful language? Now that's not right. In fact, it doesn't even make sense. Can't Black people be just as ignorant as White people? Can't we get a slap on the hand and be told to do better like the Mel Gibsons and Michael Richards of the world? Rosie O'Donnell didn't get fired for her highly offensive remarks about Chinese people. And she didn't get counseling and she barely even apologized. So what gives?

It seems to me Washington's biggest problem is his hot-headed temper. And isn't it odd that nobody seems to be upset that he put his hands on Patrick Dempsey during this original argument. I mean shouldn't he be getting some help at the Naomi Campbell center for anger management?

I don't think Washington's slurs or lies should be ignored, I'm just saying this ongoing public and media-fueled punishment doesn't seem to fit the crime.

Can somebody please shed some light and tell me what I might be missing?
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Obama Alert: FYI: Our next president has hit the New York Times Bestseller List, not once but twice. This week his new book The Audacity of Hope sits at # 1 on the Hardcover List and his earlier memoir, Dreams from my Father, sits at #5 on the paperback list.

Peace Out!

(photo from greysanatomyinsider.com)

Presidential Race

Is it just me or is everybody salivating over the idea of Senator Barack Obama as our next president? Even though Hillary has more experience playing politics, I still think she should curb her enthusiasm, see the big picture and run as Senator Obama's number two. Yes, Obama for President and Hillary Clinton for vice president. Isn't it just delicious?

Everyone says America is ready for a change and I believe only something as radical as having a Black man and a woman running this country, will change really come. It has to start with the symbols.

And even if he doesn't win, 2008 is going to be a great year for the American people to come to terms with their true convictions on racial and gender equality. And this just in, Governor Bill Richardson of New Mexico is now eyeing a run for president as well, which would make him the first Hispanic president. Sound the alarm, this race is going to be all about Race!

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A MELTINGPOT TV MINUTE: I know I'm only like two years behind on this one, but I only just turned the television back on for my two kids and they looooove the Backyardigans. So I started to watch too. I noticed that two or three of these fanciful little animal/creatures sound like they are voiced by Black people. Uniqua is one of them and Tyronne is another. Then there's Pablo the Penguin (who I'm guessing by his name is Latino). These cute little guys are always having imaginary adventures in their backyards and always manage to sing and dance through the majority of each episode.

Clearly their race is being masked by their animal exterior but come on, we know who's doing those voices right? But as I zipped around cyberspace I realized what a massive phenomenon these Backyardigans really are. Grown men and women are rabid fans. Chat rooms and fan sites are all over the web. People are downloading their music and petitioning Nick Jr. for more episodes. And I'm just wondering do all these people know that the Backyardigans are um, well, colored, and if they were kids and not animals, would the love still be there? It's just a question...

Peace Out!

A 'Say What?' Meltingpot Moment

In honor of tonight's Golden Globes Awards ceremony, I make brief mention of an upcoming movie that will surely cause some controversy. I'm just writing about it here on the Meltingpot because I found it so bizarre. But it's true. In one of those Meltingpot marriages that only happens in Hollywood, Robert DeNiro and rap-star-turned-actor 50 Cent (aka Curtis Jackson) are pairing up to make a movie tentatively titled, "New Orleans."

Now secretly I've always carried a little extra love for Bobby D. because he makes no excuses for his great adoration of the Black beauties in La-La Land, but I never saw him as wanting to reach out to the hip-hop generation. I'm still scratching my head wondering what his motivation is for co-starring with a rapper who has not shown himself to have any great acting talent smoldering under his oversized football jerseys. I mean 50 Cent is no Ludacris.

The movie takes place in post-Katrina New Orleans and delves deeply into police corruption. DeNiro and 50 Cent are partners in the film. I'm assuming that these two icons in their own fields will bring a diverse audience to the movie and hopefully attention to a serious and shameful problem, so I'm not knocking it, just passing the information on.

And that's all she wrote.

Peace Out!

(photos copyright to Paramount)

Happy New Year from the Meltingpot!

Even though I still run my life on the academic calendar, January always feels like a time for new beginnings and to set new goals. With that in mind, I do hereby swear to write with more frequency here on the Meltingpot. Even though I may fail miserably, I intend to update every Monday so be sure to check in.

For me, 2007 is going to be a countdown to the debut of my new book, Kinky Gazpacho. It's a memoir all about my experiences as a Black female in Spain. It's a love story, a history lesson and a coming-of-age tale all rolled up in one. It's slated for release on September 18, 2007. Even though I just handed in the final manuscript, you can already pre-order it here on Amazon! Stay tuned for more updates as we get closer to September.

And here's the Meltingpot moment that goes with the book. It's like Karmic destiny that a mere one month before Kinky Gazpacho comes out, the very first ever International Conference on Afro-Hispanic Studies is occurring in Ghana. SpaNegros of the world should rejoice. I know I'm trying to get there.

Peace in the New Year!