The New/Old F Word

January 23, 2007

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There's a new F word and it's probably not what you think. When Isaiah Washington said "faggot" on the set of "Grey's Anatomy," he unwittingly brought a new consciousness to a damning hate word that's been thrown around playgrounds and locker rooms for years. There is massive buzz about Washington's bullying and disruption of a workplace environment with his hatetalk; he might get fired.

Tonight that word is used on "The Real Housewives of Orange County" when Shane calls his younger brother Colton a "faggot" for pouring water on him. It's a scene that happens every day in schoolyards, in living rooms, and in fights between brothers, friends and bullies.

It's a very real moment of brothers expressing themselves. It's also an ugly moment, a quick fight. When I first saw the incident, I thought it was gross. I never like hearing that word.

We had a quick discussion about whether to leave the word in the show or not. I thought we should keep it in because it, and the scene, speaks for itself. I don't think seeing it gives license to anyone to use the word or makes it look "cool" to use the word. If we change the word or bleep it, we make the person saying it different (better?) than he is -- and draw attention to the word, perhaps drawing attention to it than it deserves.

That this is airing tonight is ironic because, believe it or not, it's NO NAME CALLING WEEK! That's right, there's even a website called nonamecallingweek.com that you can go to and learn more about this week of events devoted to the idea of not using bullying names.

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