Elisabeth Hasselbeck Cries After Sparring With Whoopi Over N-Word (VIDEO)

Thursday morning on "The View," during a discussion on the N-word prompted by the revelation that Jesse Jackson used the slur in his controversial Fox News tape, Whoopi Goldberg and Elisabeth Hasselbeck had a heated back-and-forth that ended with Elisabeth in tears.

Whoopi, who earlier in the broadcast had used the n-word repeatedly, sending the censors into overload, argued that the word is only as powerful as a society allows it to be and advocated for using the word to give it new meaning. Elisabeth, meanwhile, felt that she couldn't teach her children not to say the word if her black co-hosts and their children were using the word, arguing that, "we don't live in different worlds."

Whoopi then launched into a heated explanation of why black and white America still remain separate: "It isn't balanced, and we would like it to be, but you have to understand, you have to listen to the fact that we're telling you there are issues, there are huge problems that still affect us," she said.

Elisabeth replied, in tears, "When we live in a world where pop culture then uses that term, and we're trying to get to a place where we feel like we're in the same place, where we feel like we're in the same world...how are we supposed to then move forward if we keep using terms that bring back that pain?"

Watch:

From ABC, 7/17

Previously: "The View" Heats Up Over Racism, Whoopi Declares, "This Is A Racist Country"

Comments

[undeluded]

There was a reason why Richard Pryor chose to stop using the word and its various forms; until his first trip to Africa, where he had a transformation of understanding, he used it as I think Whoopi is suggesting only blacks can. I happen to think there's nothing redeeming about it in any context, used by anyone, black, white, or otherwise. I also think Whoopi could learn from him.
By the way, the reference to "the N-word" seems patently stupid and juvenile. The reason I didn't spell it out here is because I'm assuming my post would be censored. The word is a part of the world's lexicography as relates to blacks Originating in the slave trade triangle, it became such as integral part of the language in the Americas that to this day, those who are demeaned by it still seek to adopt it as a term of endearment. Of course the word, as an epithet, has been disseminated worldwide.

[Myshkin57]

I agree. Holding onto the use of the n-word is one of the self-defeating stances that has held back the progress of blacks. Of course, there are many other factors in the continuing inequality, but its just plain silly to continue to use that word with the misguided conception that it is somehow empowering to use it.

[undeluded]

I think the real problem is that there is no thought behind the usage. Maybe, as some have suggested, 40 years ago the term was co-opted, the meaning within the community modified (somewhat) to the extent that there could be a sort of ‘brother in arms’ implicit meaning; that would be on one hand. On the other it still carried the shiftless, worthless, ‘less than’ connotation it always had. And now, it’s slang baby. What’s the big deal, where’s the problem?! Unfortunately, though some may think of it as slang or a colloquialism within the black community, it still carries the oppressive stigma of its original meaning in the world outside, and for many, inside the community also. Rap music makes the term accessible and okay for everyday (informal) language and that informality helps to sell records and makes a great many people quite wealthy. But, the insanity is that if someone outside of the community says it of someone who’s black, they’re a racist, while people like Whoopi want to suggest that within the community it’s somehow light, acceptable banter. It’s illogical. Still, with families fragmented, most local educational systems a disgrace, and Whoopi and others saying it’s okay, where can young people get a real sense of the loathsome nature of the term. They have no sense of history though they live into the consequences of it every day. Oprah’s closeness to rap mogul Russell Simmons bothers me because he's another enabler, with a capital "E".

[Lalita]

On a side note: I don't see Asians calling each other "my ace chink" or Jews referring to each other as kyke or hymie as a "term of endearment­." Pathology is pathology and it starts early. Call a child a name her momma didn't put on a birth certificate and watch her go medieval on your behind. "Term of endearment" my ass. If we saw a mother regularly calling a toddler "my nigg3r" we'd call Child Protective Services.

What people call you matters. Lest we forget, what we answer to matters more.

[SimonNZ]

Time to go the Oprah diet Whoopi....­..........­......

[trish74]

Is she crying
because she really wants to use the word but unfortunately she's lost the right ??

Blacks shouldn't use the word and that goes triple for whites. That's the way it should be. The day this country compensates African Americans for slavery and the British empire compensates West Indians for slavery is the day whites et al can use it to their hearts content.

[FCorey]

Trish, I agree with you. This is a little off the subject, but very relevant..­.

Log on to XBOX live while your kids are playing and listen to the rampant and reckless use of the word by young Black kids who are trained on the word and the young white kids who are being outright nasty with what they hear at the dinner table. Of course the obligatory OBAMA comment always follows in reference to "hoping he is assassinated".

A U.S. president has yet to apologize for the Atlantic Slave trade and its prosperity in Amerika and Israeli owned and operated record companies continue to allow the word to be flown across the airwaves like McDonalds commercials. I don't personally think the word is going anywhere.

[GravitonX]

That the "don't pick on me because I want to look like a sweet little naive white girl" cry. Pssss...

[knowhelpnow]

Well I couldn't watch her everyday that voice would drive me crazy. The tears what a professional. Give us hope.

[sky2blue]

On another blog that I can't post because of the bad words filter, the author, Field, makes the point that other ethnic groups use slurs among themselves and African Americans, or anyone else for that matter, don't go around whining: why is it okay for you to use it but not us?

[acanthus]

You're right, they do. Which brings up the question- why just blacks?

[thankulord13]

Because of the history behind the word and the White people that perpetuated the ugliness that went with it. Read a history book about slavery in American and Jim Crow. Maybe then you will have a better understanding of why it's more acceptable from Blacks saying it to each other than with Whites saying it at all.

[McPander]

I understand history...­.I guess that also means that its more acceptable for African-Americans to kill each other than for for a white person to do it.

It would seem that once you cross the moral excuse line....yo­u can justify any hypocrisy.

[sky2blue]

You misunderstood my point, which is this: African Americans don't expect to be able to call friends of other ethnic group by racial slurs without being confronted. I would expect white folks know not to call their Jewish friends the H-word, even though it's the title of a magazine. What's the hang up about THIS particular double standard between blacks and whites?

[FCorey]

Because we can't use the offensively moronic words used amongst other ethnic groups (as a show of compassion and friendship, of course) without getting into a confrontation as well.

Plus...BEC­AUSE WE SAID SO!

[sky2blue]

You, too, misunderstood my point. I blama HuffPo, though. I couldn't quote Field directly.

My point is exactly what you say. Black folks don't expect to use offensively moronic words towards our individual friends of different ethnicities without getting in a confrontation. What makes this particular issue so different?

[acanthus]

"Plus...BE­CAUSE WE SAID SO!"

That's what it really comes down to, isn't it? Pathetic.

[CompliantMedia]

People like Elisabeth are so predisposed to attacking opposing views that they become insular. This closes their reactionary mind to opposing views which they debate by resorting to repeating the same dogmatic points ad infinitum. This is the bane of talk radio.

They defend their contrarian views through bullying and insults all the while closing their minds to any possibility that the opposing side might have some valid points. When their deeply held beliefs are challenged they sometimes recoil into emotional outbursts and righteous indignation. I find many of those who rely on these tactics to be thin skinned and defensive - best evidenced by the frequent tirades of Michael Savage, Sean Hannity and Bill O'Reilly.

Do they ever utter conciliatory statements like, "That may be true, but consider this?" It is far more likely to hear, "Shut up, you are wrong, this is the way it is."

[Fairfloss]

Who determines who is black enough to use the "n" word? People of color are many different hues and their are many families of racially mixed children. Some are adopted, some are not, so can some use a nasty word like that and some can not?

Who decides this? Miss Whoopi? I think Miss Whoopi is feeling a false sense of empowerment that is truly revenge. She needs to get over herself and show the intelligence I once credited her for.

As for Sherri Shepherd, she should be fired. She told the boss (Barbara Walters) in an angry disrespectful voice, on national television, "I don't want to hear it come out of your mouth.." She should empower herself back to being the same obscure comedian she was before Ms Walters attempted to make her a star. Nobody talks to their boss like that. I would be fired for that.

[sandiaview]

I deplore the N-word no matter who uses it. But Elizabeth gets faxes everyday from her RNC, Hanitty buddies giving her her talking points. She is a total sock puppet for the far right racist that heats up Fox and other media outlets. You don't have to wear a hood and a sheet to be a racist! These people and Elizabeth may not use the N-word but their actions, their beliefs and their divisiveness shout out the N-word all day and night. Tearing up does not change that. She is as innocent as a pet rattle snake. She has the Anglo-American princess look so she is allowed by the prevailing culture to get away with her very double standards!

[C65]

SANDIAVIEW,
Right on!!!!!!!!!!,I see someone taught you to read between the lines as well as on
the lines.
White people has always been good at talking out both sides of their mouth
and throwing bricks and then hiding their hands.
Back in the day they thought we wouldn't catch on,but when they became aware
of how innovated blacks were with tools to lighten the hard work as slaves,they
were shocked.
That's why they fought so hard to keep blacks and whites apart and unequal,
they knew we were observers and quick learners and as soon as we
mastered their bag of tricks we would beat them at their own game.
In other words:"THEIR EVIL AND GREEDY WAYS CREATED THE BLACK MONSTER,
NOW LIKE IT OR LUMP IT AND LIVE WITH IT.

[AzRealProgressive]

You must be a Jesse Jackson fan.

[levibatgirl]

She's all "but, but, but its part my right wing talking points!!"

Whaaaaaaaa­..........­........

[TrueBlueMajority]

terms that bring back that pain? wtf? first of all, there is no "bringing back" of the pain. the pain is still with us whether the N word is used or not. Also, last time I checked, Elisabeth Hasselbeck wasn't personally suffering any of the pain of racial discrimination. does she ever say anything that makes sense? what a clueless mindless person she is!

[azyuwish]

Elizabeth Hasselbeck lives in a dream world, like many privileged, white people, when it comes to the reality of being black.

I say this as a white woman.

Has she not heard of racial profiling? Has she not heard of the NYC cops firing 41 shots into Amadou Diallo, a young man who was only holding a comb? How long do you think it takes to fire 41 shots Ms. Hasselbeck? Why the excess force? Oh and by the way, the cops were acquitted of any wrong-doing even though Mr. Diallo was innocent of anything and was shot while cornered in a vestibule.

Has she not heard of the term "driving while black"? (or brown, for that matter).

Has she not heard of the Gena Six? The black kids who are STILL behind bars because they got in a fist fight with the white kids who hung NOOSES on the tree where the black kids liked to sit near at lunch time in a high school?

Her little insulated world prevents her from knowing about all these things ONLY because she makes no serious effort to investigate the allegations of racism. Republicans seem to take the view that their POV is the correct one and anyone who disagrees or has a different reality MUST simply be skewed, wrong, missing the boat, stupid, unworthy blah, blah, blah.....

They keep a tight lid on their minds. Openness doesn't serve the aristocrat, never has.

[americanwhocares]

People, get a life, watching the View is a waste of time, coffee klatch ladies (and the stay at home women that watch this drivel) certainly have better things they can do with their time. Like spending time with their children?

[naijaman]

So the blond blue-eyed pretty white woman is the one upset about racism?
LMAO...tha­t's precious.

[Lalita]

I'm with you, Naijaman. So Ms. Hasselbeck cried over the use of the n-word. So sorry, Liz. Guess her feelings are much more important than those of Black people who were called, in anger and spite, by that nasty word (which I hate no matter who uses it).

What a hot house flower.

[sky2blue]

You know what I think? I think it's more than just the use of the word, or not even about the use of the word. I think it's about the frustration of being denied her usual "privilege" in this regard and being questioned by a person of color in the first place.

[JScott]

I am reminded of an incident at work when there was a Black History Week display at work, where several AA employees brought in their collection of 'mammy' cookie jars and the like. I asked them why, and isn't that insulting etc. and they reply was 'but we can make it our own, we control it, it's ours, our history etc.'
(not to mention it's valuable on ebay).

[thankulord13]

Thats funny!!! It's valuable on ebay!