Episode 102: Denzel Washington and the Real Karens of Hollywood
Available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and iHeartRadio.
In this episode, we discuss Grey’s Anatomy actress Ellen Pompeo’s decision to share a story of an argument that occurred between she and Academy Award winner Denzel Washington when she undermined his authority while he was a guest director in 2015. We also talk about journalist Katie Couric’s decision to retell a story of an awkward interview she had with Denzel Washington in 2004 and we discuss how it is not possible to view either of these incidents without acknowledging the history of white women using their privilege and power to subjugate and endanger black men. We also mention the struggle occurring in the Senate between Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, Sen. Joe Manchin, and other Democrats over the infrastructure bill and we give our thoughts on Season 4 of Dear White People on Netflix.
Resources:
Adekaiyero, Ayomikun. 'Dear White People' has themes that speak to Blackness surviving in white spaces. Sadly, that's drowned out by utterly bizarre musical moments. Insider. September 23, 2021.
Genai, Shanelle. Weird Flex, But OK: Ellen Pompeo Says She and Denzel Washington ‘Went at It’ on the Set of Grey’s Anatomy. The Root. September 30, 2021.
Genai, Shanelle. Why Are They Like This? Another White Woman, This Time, Katie Couric, Recalls Feeling ‘Shaken’ After an Interview With Denzel Washington in 2004. The Root. October 4, 2021.
Luscombe, Richard. Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema: the centrists blocking Biden’s agenda. The Guardian. October 3, 2021.
