Timothy J Dqh
map-marker Columbus, Ohio

Abc News - The unjustified suspension of Whoopi Goldberg

In 1997, now retired journalist Barbara Walters, introduced a TV program titled The View; a program where five ladies sat around a table discussing topics of interest, and providing their individual opinions, perceptions, and views on subjects which ranged from politics to current affairs. One might conclude that the program title was derived from what the five co-hosts were being paid to do, offer their views on selected topics. As an added measure to stimulate interest, the co-hosts were apparently selected based in part on their political association; a mixture consisting of Conservatives, Liberals, and Moderates.

This intentionally controversial program has yet to fail the expectations of the viewing audience, with their occasionally heated verbal interactions; yet the disagreements have never risen to a level of physical interaction, but have served to attract written interaction from the viewing audience, agreeing or disagreeing with stated opinions. What has been noteworthy of this 25 year old ABC program, is that none of the co-host had ever been publicly disciplined for expressing their perceptions, opinions, or views, that is until now.

On the January 31st program, the issue of a Tennessee school district banning a book titled Maus in its middle school classes, was discussed by the co-host of The View. This Pulitzer-winning graphic novel about the Holocaust, was being challenged by parents over what they considered to be pictures of nudity, and inappropriate language. Co-host Joy Behar, then replied that the nudity concerns were likely "a canard to throw you off from the fact, that they don't like history that makes White people look bad." Whoopi then replies, "Well, this is White people doing it to White people, so y'all gonna fight amongst yourselves? Whoopi then stated, "If you're going to do this, then let's be truthful about it because the Holocaust isn't about race." She added that the Holocaust was about "man's inhumanity to man" and said it involved "two White groups of people."

This was the bone of contention that drew backlash from some viewers, and disciplinary action against Whoopi by ABC News President Kim Godwin, who stated effective immediately, I am suspending Whoopi Goldberg for two weeks for her wrong and hurtful comments. Now, I and many other long-time viewers, are expecting an explanation as to what was meant by Kim Godwins statement, as well as the purpose behind disciplining Whoopi Goldberg.

After researching Whoopis statements, I could find nothing that she stated to be incorrect. The *** were inhumane to the Jews, as well as the Romas also known as Gypsies. Included in that inhumane treatment were the disabled, and *** men. Though Hitlers definition of race conflicts with the definition offered in Websters Dictionary, he dose refer to Jews as a race, for he regarded the Jews as " Gegenrasse: a 'counter-race' not really human at all. Regardless as to whether you choose to embrace Websters definition, or Hitlers, it does not change the fact that Jews are Caucasians, and that they were murdered in mass numbers by Germans who are also Caucasians. Whoopi obviously was eluding to the Webster definition of race, which describes race as a people comprised of the same physical and biogenetic traits.

The Holocaust is a painful reminder of mans inhumane history, which is inclusive of slavery in America and other parts of the world, where black people were regarded as subhuman, tortured, raped, and murdered by the thousands. This same inhumane history carries over to the near genocide of the Native America, in an effort to acquire their land. Yes, history can reveal hurtful events from the past, but it is the truth and can neither be altered, nor silenced.

Whoopi was paid to express her views, based on her perception of given topics; now, she is being censored and disciplined for doing what she was hired to do. I stand with Whoopi in opposition to the declaration of Kim Godwin, and will refrain from viewing The View during Whoopis two week suspension.

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Preferred solution: Reverse Whoopi's suspension, and apologize for the manor in which she was treated. In the future fact check before acting.