When Whoopi Goldberg seemed to make the same statements that got her suspended from ABC’s “The View” in February of 2022, she was forced to apologize for the comments a second time.
During a discussion of the Holocaust-themed graphic novel “Maus,” Goldberg caused a stir by insisting that the Holocaust “was not about race.” ABC finally suspended Goldberg from the show despite her repeated apologies, but she caused further controversy when she brought up the incident in a December interview.
Goldberg’s statements came up during a debate about race while she was in London for a press tour as one of the producers of the new film “Till,” about Emmett Till, a 14-year-old black boy lynched in 1955. She again implied that she had reason to believe that the Jews were not a “race.”
The interviewer pushed back, adding that the “Nazis recognized Jews as a race,” echoing “The View” co-host Joy Behar’s argument.
That’s the real problem, though, isn’t it?” You are who your oppressor says you are. Why do you put stock in what they say? Defiantly, Goldberg spoke up. Say it with me now: “They’re Nazis. Why should you put stock in what they’re saying?
My closest buddy once told me, “There’s no Jewish race option on the census because it wouldn’t be accurate anyhow. That’s why I’ve concluded that we’re not a race,” she said.
To counter the initial criticism, Goldberg’s representative issued a statement on Tuesday saying that the actress had not intended to “double down” on her earlier remarks.
“I was recently asked about my prior statements this year while conducting press in London. I gave it my best go at explaining to the reporter what I had said and why. Goldberg stated, “It was never my goal to look as though I was doubling down on cruel words, especially after chatting with and hearing folks like rabbis and old and new friends chiming in.”
Goldberg continued by saying she was “still learning” and trying to take feedback on board.
She said, “I think that the Holocaust was about race, and I am still as sorry today as I was then that I outraged, injured, and enraged people.” “Once again, please accept my deepest apologies, especially to those who mistook this for a novel retread of the topic. I swear it wasn’t the case. At a time when antisemitism is rising, let me be quite clear: I have and always will stand with the Jewish people. My belief in them is unwavering and will remain so.