Isaiah Washington Says Some Of His ‘Best’ Teachers & Neighbors Growing Up Were Ku Klux Klan Members: ‘I Knew Where They Stood w/ Me & They Also Knew Where I Stood w/ Them’

Isaiah Washington

Isaiah Washington Says Some Of His ‘Best’ Teachers & Neighbors Growing Up Were Ku Klux Klan Members: ‘I Knew Where They Stood w/ Me & They Also Knew Where I Stood w/ Them’

Not too long ago America was a vastly different place.

“Grey’s Anatomy” alum Isaiah Washington recently spoke on the matter, sharing his experience with racism growing up as a young Black boy in Texas surrounded by Ku Klux Klan members.

Isaiah Washington

The 59-year-old actor opened up about knowing some of his educators and “neighbors” were active participants in the hate group on Instagram earlier today (May 2). Along with a photo seemingly portraying generations of Klan members, Isaiah Washington wrote:

“REPOST AFTER AN INSTAGRAM REMOVAL: I had some of the best elementary school teachers and even some neighbors that I knew were Klan Members back in Texas while growing up. I knew where They stood with me and They also knew where I stood with Them.”

And continued:

“The boundaries were very, very clear and I still played with Their kids, I just couldn’t drink from Their outside water hose or come inside Their house to eat and Their houses were usually much smaller than what I grew up in. My mother never refused to let Their kids into her house to eat a summer lunch and drink from our vintage JFK water glasses.”

Isaiah Washington

This isn’t the first time Washington has used his platform to share his thoughts on the state of race and politics in America. Just last month, the entertainer attributed the “color construct” and his disinterest in politics as the reason why he decided to retire from the industry, writing:

“It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today….I’m no longer interested in the back and forth regarding a ‘color construct’ that keeps us human beings divided nor am I interested in politics or anything vitriolic.”

Washington wrapped up his most recent post by questioning if the good-hearted actions of him and his family positively affected the children of the racist clan members.

“I can’t help but wonder today, if Their kids are vigorously supporting me as an actor today, simply because I showed Them love and respect as a true Texan and a true American, even when Their parents and grandparents forbid Them to reciprocate love and respect for me publicly to me back then, but I’m infamous now. I wonder…”

Thoughts? Leave them in the comments section below!