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Shonda Rhimes Responds to Petition to Fire Jesse Williams From ‘Grey’s Anatomy’


By now we’ve probably all heard about the incredibly impassioned speech Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams delivered at the BET Awards last month.

Since the speech—which touched on issues of race, violence and inequality—Williams has become the subject of two petitions. One, which boasts nearly 20,000 signatures, insists that Williams be fired from Grey’s for his “racist rant” and calls for a boycott of the entire ABC network. The other petition, now with over 25,000 signatures, was created in response. It deems Williams a “brave leader” who risked “his job and his career for his beliefs.” 

Williams responded to the controversy by tweeting: “Not a single sane sentence in their claim. NotOne”

Grey’s Anatomy creator and producer Shonda Rhimes has also chimed in to the debate via Twitter, with a message of support for Williams.


Well, Shonda has spoken, and it looks like Dr. Avery will be gracing our screens for the foreseeable future.

Hardcore nerd with a love of food, travel, eyeliner, and powerlifting. Asian Studies major with a minor in Cinema Studies; Honors Thesis in Japanese Horror Film. Bowdoin College '17.