Isaiah Washington Blames Racism for Firing

Isaiah Washington, or the former Dr. Burke, accused "Grey's Anatomy" of firing him out of racism according to an article in Newsweek.

Washington first found himself in hot water when, during a "philosophical disagreement" with co-star Patrick Dempsey, he used a homophobic slur to describe fellow "Grey's" actor T.R. Knight. The water only got hotter when Washington repeated the word backstage at the Golden Globes.

ABC sent Washington to rehab to deal with his homophobia. Washington claims, "There is no rehab for homophobia--that was just some crap being put out by the network." Instead, the actor, who is going to Africa next week to commemorate the bicentennial end of slavery there, argues that the real issue was his skin color.

"Well, it didn't help me on the set that I was a black man who wasn't a mush-mouth Negro walking around with his head in his hands all the time," he said.

The article continues with Washington's accusing the "Grey's" set of racism. "I had a person in human resources tell me after this thing played out that 'some people' were afraid of me around the studio," said Washington. "I asked her why, because I'm a 6-foot-1, black man with dark skin and who doesn't go around saying 'Yessah, massa sir' and 'No sir, massa' to everyone?"

As for any regrets? None of his own. "My mistake was believing I could correct a wrong with honesty and sincerity," he said. "My mistake was thinking black people get second chances."

ABC has not commented on Washington's allegations.