Grey's Anatomy star Isaiah Washington urges African Americans to call out of work

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/isaiah-washington-boycott-work_us_57e812dfe4b0e80b1ba2a112?

For starters, 24 hour boycotts are stupid. Remember the 24 hour gas boycott? Gas sales went up the day before and the day after the boycott. So supposedly, the theory is that by every black person calling out tomorrow, it will show an impact to the country that black lives really matter.

We all know they matter. Everyone's lives matter, but I just hope these boycotting blacks that have jobs were actual lives depend on them (paramedics, doctors, police, fire fighters, whatever) have the sense to show up to work.

My personal feelings on why this protest is really stupid is because this message their sending is ass backwards. So, your answer to oppression is to not show up to your job, a privilege that this country has endured wars to give you the opportunity to have? Man, I wish you would just quit your job, so an unemployed white person could fill your position and really appreciate it.

I understand the reasoning of this boycott, though, to try to slow down the gears of the machine, but none of these boycotters will have the guts to really commit, and by that, I mean vacate their jobs entirely. It's partly the same reason why some people have a hard time taking Kaepernick seriously when he talks about systemic oppression in a country that has afforded him a multi-million dollar career.

That part is frightening. I hope they get fired if that happens. I think it's kind of humerous, and not surprising, how much support he is getting on Twitter.

If black people want to be represented and be heard, they need to register as independents, and leverage their votes into forcing the party who wants to win into supporting policy they want. The Republicans dont give a shit about black people, the Democrats act like they do, but dont give a shit about black people.
Depriving yourself of days worth of pay, or rioting does nothing. All it will do is result in no businesses going near your area. Then they will bitch about economic flight.

The only industry that would have a tangible effect of a 24 hour walk out is the trucking industry.

This will accomplish nothing of value for their movement. If anything, there might be a lot more unemployed black people in the next week (a lot of businesses don't let you call in sick without a doctor's note).

I'm just not sure what type of protest is considered acceptable these days. Recent events have had people get in an uproar over very mild forms.

As for the stated boycott, this seems harmless enough. It will probably be no more effective than any other boycotts in recent memory, but they got some attention to their issue for a while and that's usually the goal.

I see no issue with this.

Whatever gets your point across, although it's a little unfair, since he's already out of work.

No, I do not know that "we all know they matter". Some do, some do not.

"but none of these boycotters will have the guts to really commit, and by that, I mean vacate their jobs entirely"

You don't know that, you are just making assumptions.

As for the boycott I think it could work but it would take some real planning and muscle behind it and Isaiah Washington isn't the guy I think would get this kind of undertaking rolling. As currently constructed, I don't see this having a big impact.

****An aside note, that title should read "Former Grey's Anatomy star", get it right Huffington Post.

I fully support people's right to protest and demonstrate, especially mistreated people, but this is not the way to do it.

As long as you're not in an essential industry - such as medicine, air traffic controller, etc., go nuts. Teachers have sick outs all the time.

Well, I think my assumption is pretty sound. Of course, all it will take is one black person quitting his job to prove me wrong. But honestly, I don't see anyone thinking quitting their job is somehow going to make a difference because they know they NEED a job. Exact same reason every black person won't even call out just for tomorrow. Some jobs require valid excuses for calling out, and I highly doubt those companies will view a boycott as a valid excuse. For those people, they know if they call out, they will have to find new jobs.

This will definitely calm things down. *rolls eyes.*

It really can't make things worse, though.

Okay so I read the title of the thread and it sounded like clickbait but no...Mr. Washington did really say this. This won't work on soooo many levels.

1. For adults with careers they have worked for and families to support, it's not very wise to mix politics with business. If large portions of a company's black demographic don't show up to work with no notice or approval than the brass will know who are "rabble-rousers."

2. Every single job on planet earth is expendable. Why risk getting in the bad graces at your place of employment which could lead to reprisals in the future?

3. Black people nationwide are going to willfully jeopardize something as important as their career behind the leadership of Isaiah Washington?

Except for the people that lose their jobs because of unapproved call outs.

If that is what it takes to make change, so be it. I am sure if they get what they want, they will look back gladly at the sacrifice they made.

I am sure all those veterans of the Civil Rights Movement in the 60's don't look back and say "Man, I really regret standing up to that cop with the water hose" or "I sure wish I stayed inside and didn't get bit by that dog"

It likely won't play out that way, but they can hope for it. Besides, just call in sick; if you're not caught, you won't get fired.

Exactly what change are they going for, exactly? I mean, I might boycott if my employers are treating me like shit, but then that has nothing to do with "black lives mattering" and everything to do with my employer treating me like shit. Assuming that I'm actually happy with my job, why exactly would i boycott my job just because there are other unrelated racial problems in the country?

Even more specifically, how exactly is this supposed to accomplish anything? So suppose I work at Home Depot and decide to boycott, what the hell is that suppose to accomplish? It might hurt Home Depot's profits while the boycott is in effect, but what the hell is Home Depot supposed to do about that? That's like, shifting the responsibility. I have a beef with the country's treatment of blacks, but instead of doing anything about it myself I end up bullying my employer to change things for me. And, like, wtf is my employer actually supposed to do here? What exactly is supposed to be accomplished, and how exactly does that get accomplished by deliberately trying to hurt my employer's profits?

Also, I may be wrong, but isn't this the guy who got fired from his show for being racist or homophobic or something? If I was ever gonna do something like this boycott, I sure as hell wouldn't do so at the request of some rich celebrity who can not only probably afford to be unemployed, but also lost his job for being a bigot.

Hope this results in the cancellation of that shitty show

Is he going to employ those that are fired?

I would tell a guy like this to piss off. If someone wants me to not work because of political reasons. They will need to sign a contract that will pay me very handsomely for years to come. Since they really seem interested in my welfare and all.

And how exactly is taking this out on employers fixing anything.

@hillelslovak: "the Democrats act like they do, but dont give a shit about black people. "

lol

http://www.newnownext.com/isaiah-washington-fired-from-greys-anatomy/06/2007/

The actor’s problems began last October on the set of Grey’s Anatomy when, according to The National Enquirer, Washington had assaulted fellow cast member Patrick Dempsey. Shortly afterwards, reports started to circulate that during the fight, Washington grabbed Dempsey by the throat and said, “I’m not your little ****** like T.R. [Knight].”

Wow, what a piece of shit. **** that guy.

How about fix your neighborhoods first so that they aren't high crime area? Quit committing crimes.