Renowned Hollywood actress and television personality Whoopi Goldberg has recently apologized for using a derogatory term towards the Romani people while discussing the 2020 US Presidential election on the March 15 episode of ‘The View.’
The incident sparked controversy, with some viewers expressing displeasure over the comment despite her public apology.
In her Twitter video apology, Whoopi explained that her choice of words was a result of her upbringing and age, saying, “You know, when you’re a particular age, you use terms that you know from when you’re a child or you recall saying, and that’s what I did today, and I shouldn’t have.”
She expressed her regret and realized her mistake, stressing that she should have been kinder and used a more appropriate term instead.
During the episode, Whoopi used the term “gypped” to describe the alleged unfairness of the election, stating, “People who still believe that he got, you know, gypped somehow in the election.”
However, the word is considered derogatory towards the Romani community and is believed to have originated from the derogatory term “gypsy.”
Some Viewers Remained Upset
Despite her apology, some viewers remained upset, taking to social sites to express their disappointment with Whoopi’s conduct. Some called for her to be removed from the show, while others pointed out that this was not the first time she had formally apologized for controversial comments.
In January 2022, Whoopi was suspended from ‘The View’ and issued an apology after making controversial remarks about the Jewish people and the Holocaust in reaction to a local school board denying the graphic novel Maus by Art Spiegelman.
She had stated, “The Holocaust isn’t about race. It’s about a guy’s inhumanity to man, that’s what it’s about,” on the show. In response to the backlash, Whoopi expressed remorse and said, “I regret my comments and stand corrected. I also stand with the Jewish people.”
Public figures and individuals in positions of influence need to choose their words carefully and be mindful of the impact of their language on marginalized communities.
Whoopi’s apology serves as a reminder that even unintentionally harmful language can be hurtful and that it is important to take responsibility for one’s words and actions.
