Whoopi Goldberg took to social media to issue an apology after her remarks about the holocaust on “The View” left her in boiling hot water.
The remarks were made on Monday (January 31) as the panel discussed a Tennessee school district’s decision to ban “Maus,” a graphic novel that depicts the horrors of the Holocaust.Â
The board cited nudity and profanity as the reasons for banning the book.
Whoopi reacted saying:
I’m surprised that’s what made you uncomfortable, the fact that there was some nudity. I mean, it’s about the Holocaust, the killing of six million people, but that didn’t bother you?
As the convo progressed to the efforts of some to ban problematic parts of the nation’s history in regards to race and racism from being taught in schools, Whoopi said:
If you’re going to do this, then let’s be truthful about it. Because the Holocaust isn’t about race. No, it’s not about race.
It’s not. It’s about man’s inhumanity to man.
Ana Navarro responded:
But it’s about white supremacy. It’s about going after Jews and Gypsies and Roma.
Whoopi responded:
But these are two white groups of people.
Sara Haines pointed out that the Nazis didn’t see Jewish people as white.
Whoopi said:
But you’re missing the point! The minute you turn it into race, it goes down this alley. Let’s talk about it for what it is. It’s how people treat each other. It’s a problem.
The backlash was loud and swift as people took to social media to call out Whoopi.
A holocaust survivor, named Lucy Lipiner, offered an opportunity to have a meaningful conversation.
Whoopi Goldberg took to Twitter later that day to issue the following apology:
On today’s show, I said the Holocaust ‘is not about race, but about man’s inhumanity to man.’
I should have said it is about both. As Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League shared, ‘The Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people — who they deemed to be an inferior race.’
I stand corrected.
The Jewish people around the world have always had my support and that will never waiver.
I’m sorry for the hurt I have caused.
Written with my sincerest apologies,
Whoopi Goldberg.
See the original post below.
Watch the news report via “CBS Mornings.”
Whoopi later appeared on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” to elaborate on her remarks as well as her apology.
I respect everything everyone is saying to me and I don’t want to fake apologize…I’m very upset that people misunderstood what I was saying.
Although she says she’s “torn up,” Whoopi also took responsibility for the backlash she is receiving.
I did a lot of harm to myself and people decided I was all of these other things.
I’m actually not and I’m incredibly torn up by being told these things about myself.Â
I get it. Folks are angry. I accept that and I did it to myself.Â
This was my thought process and I will work hard not to think that way again.Â
I definitely have a better understanding of what Whoopi was trying to say after hearing her discussion with Stephen Colbert.
However, I don’t know if the reactions from others would have been any different.
Watch below.
Your thoughts on this?
Source: Associated Press
