Shonda Rhimes took to Twitter on Sunday to voice her support for “Grey’s Anatomy” actor Jesse Williams, who recently found himself under fire after his acceptance speech for BET’s humanitarian award.
During his speech, Williams spoke of the Black Lives Matter movement, the commodification of black culture and how money alone is not enough to enact the types of social change necessary for true equality.
In woods. Far from wifi. Get signal! What'd I miss? "Just because we're magic doesn't mean we're not real." @iJesseWilliams' speech. YES.
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) June 28, 2016
Though many found Williams’ speech inspiring, others found it offensive and started a Change.org petition calling for Williams, who has played Dr. Jackson Avery on ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” since 2009, to be fired.
The petition, which has garnered more than 11,000 signatures since its creation on July 1, likens Williams to Isaiah Washington, who was released from “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2007 after Washington was alleged to have used a homophobic slur in reference to fellow actor T.R. Knight.
Click here to read the full story on LATimes.com.
Do not promote empty people & their tantrums. Pure clickbait to gain followers, attention & money, for themselves, not you. Never you.
— jesse Williams. (@iJesseWilliams) July 3, 2016
Um, people? Boo don't need a petition. #shondalandrules
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) July 5, 2016
