Isaiah Washington announced his retirement this week in a bizarre tweet about socialism, communism and “haters.”
The “Grey’s Anatomy” alum played Dr. Preston Burke for three seasons, but was fired in 2007 after he used a homophobic slur against co-star TR Knight. Washington, who tweeted that it was a “relief” to give up acting, went on to make an odd political statement.
“It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I announce today my early retirement from the entertainment industry.” Washington tweeted. “…we fought the good fight, but it looks like the haters, naysayers and helpful idiots have won.”
He continued: “I’m not interested in the comings and goings of a ‘color construct’ that keeps us human beings apart, nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic. I will travel to this wonderful country before it falls to socialism and then to communism.”
Similar dubious sentiments have become the rallying cry of misinformed right-wingers like Rep. Elise Stefanik (RNY) and former President Donald Trump, who appeal to their Republican base with baseless theories about Democrats like President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
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Washington continued to refer to himself as “the conservative Frederick Douglass.” Douglass, an escaped black whose autobiography became one of the most enduring pieces of abolitionist literature, was often co-opted by conservatives as a Republican.
It is not entirely clear whether Washington turned out to be so. When a user responded“Without conservatives like you, the crazies in Hollywood win,” Washington said news of his retirement and wrote“All is not as it seems…”
The actor, who won a 2007 NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, also announced that “Corsicana,” his 2022 directorial debut about a former slave who becomes one of the first lawmen of color in the country, now marks his latest film. .
“Looks like CORSICANA may be the last time you see me as an actor born here in America,” he tweeted. “Just know I’ll be posting some pictures of my retirement shenanigans here and there, but until then. Stay safe out there. Your loved ones love you and need you.”
