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

[McPander]

word - definition - A sound or a combination of sounds, or its representation in writing or printing, that symbolizes and communicates a meaning and may consist of a single morpheme or of a combination of morphemes.

Words to not have any power except for the power that a listener gives them.
The N-word is the proof of the lack of respect that African-Americans have for their own power and for each other. There is something lost when human beings resort to hypocrisy to justify their actions. It is the rational of a child and only furthers the the non-logical thought process we see in society as a whole.
These issues will persist.until African-Americans start to feel the empowerment that all humans have by nature. Personal empowerment is not granted without accomplishment and success. Accomplishment and success from the civil rights struggle seem to be lacking if you consider the statistics.
I could imagine this would be a good point to construct a thesis on the failures of non-violent resistance. What is gained if it is granted versus being taken form those with power over you. Do you get the things that you want without resolving the fundamental issues of self respect that are gained through violent struggle? I would tend to believe the answer has proven to be NO.....

So we will continue on with the same ole same ole.....

[frankky]

If blacks don't want others to use the N word it has to start with them, they have to stop using it
and set an example for others to follow, Other wise it's pure hypocritism that blacks can use the
N word and other's can't. They cannot expect others to quit using it if they themselves do not.

[acanthus]

I don't agree with Goldberg when it comes to the surface argument she made. I don't like the word, don't use it, and hate hearing it, even from other blacks. I dislike it because it's wrong for us, not because of what white people may think. The thing is, we all know that the argument they had really wasn't about the "n-word". It was about power, privilege, and black "assimilation". What Hasselbeck really meant was "There is one American society, and whites own it. If you want to assimilate into it, you have to do so on whites' terms." And I'm sure one of those terms is not really that blacks not refer to each other with that word. What white conservative really cares if blacks call each other "n***er"? Let's not BS each other. No, those terms are basically "Whites are the gatekeepers to American society, and we will decide...everything, including when and whether we want to discriminate, and you shouldn't complain about it". That was the real argument, and Goldberg's rejection of assimilation into that kind of society (world) was exactly the right thing to do, for obvious reasons. The fact that this society is so adolescent that it is damn near willing to go to war because of "You can say it, but I can't", even if "it" is a red herring, makes me want to keep it at arm's length.

[undeluded]

Bill Cosby’s call, and recently Barack Obama’s call to the black community for responsible action, may well need to be heard and heeded first by Whoopi and others who help shape and reflect culture within the community. Maybe I can get through to her and those who think like her if I say something like, “It’s time to stop trying to be so damn hip. You’re just being a cool fool. Get over yourself and take a real stand.” You know, many blacks love to invoke the name of Martin Luther King Jr. It’s MLK Jr. this and MLK Jr. that. Do you think that he cavalierly used that word or some of the other words of self-loathing that so readily seem to spew forth from black youth these days. Do you think he took the coward’s way out and let killers and other criminals escape punishment because he lived by some insane ‘don’t snitch’ code? If you want respect, act with respect, for yourself and others. So many have died and been brutalized to have a rightful claim to self-respect and respect from others. How tragic it is that so many, so lightly, toss it away and don’t understand the loss. It’s not a black/white thing; it’s a humanity thing.

[gallonjug]

You should read the book "Weapons of the Weak" by James Scott. It might help you understand that what is going on here is the organic co-opting of structures of oppression. Far from "hypocrisy", "lack of self respect", etc. the re-appropriation of the N word is in fact an ingenius way of dismantling this particular tool of hatred and oppression.
And, unless you are being facetious, the suggestion that non-violent resistance is futile is so far off the mark it makes me wonder what planet you're from. Forty years ago black men couldn't use public restrooms and now we're about to elect a black President. Not one shot was fired in armed resistance or revolution or any of that. Do you think the leader of the free world would be black if MLK had advocated violent socialist revolution. Not a chance.

[McPander]

If you elect a token and lock the rest up...it would seem that is progress to you. The story of Obama is so special because it is so rare.....please try to use another example.
The statistics are the proof:
Graduation rates.
Incarceration Rates.
Collage Drop out Rates.
Unemployment rates.
Out of Wedlock birth rates.

Nothing to see here.

[McPander]

"Do you think the leader of the free world would be black if MLK had advocated violent socialist revolution"
Please tell me what did happen to Mr. King?

[AzRealProgressive]

Fine little academic thought. I can't believe you said this" These issues will persist until African-Americans start to feel the empowerment that all humans have by nature. Thanks for calling all African- Americans sub human. Until they meet your standards of feeling empowerment. You owe an apology, that is so racist and bigoted.

[McPander]

No apology...and your comments are proof that a person can still look at smoke and see a river.

[heal57]

whah,whah, whah. Whoopi is dead wrong. I think a lot of people out there are jealous of Ms. Hasselbacks great looks. I don't watch the show much and don't agree with Eliz 90% of the time, biut Whoopi is off the mark here. She and nobody else is so special that it's fine to use the vulgar 'n' word. We don't want out kids or grandkids even hearing that vulgarity. Stop being victims already.

Independent Women for Obama '08

[lhurley3171]

I have to ask what are Americans trying to accomplish here? Equality and Inclusiveness? or the double standard.

If we are going to fight for equality, we cannot turn a blind eye to the pure inequality of the double standard. I understand there is neccessary legislation to protect minorities and women from discrimination, but if we don't treat everyone with respect isn't that against the nature of equality?

No derogatory term is respectful, no matter who uses it. Derogatory is the opposite of respectful. I realize that word started gaining popularity to show the unity of the black community against other communities, but we need to see that by insulating one community over another moves us away from equality and separates us from common understanding. It keeps people forever separate, and I don't think that is our goal.

[gallonjug]

"to show the unity of the black community against other communities"...

wow-- you totally missed the point. Amazing. The co-opting of that term was an act of survival by the black community in the face of two years of hatred from "other communities"-- If you control the word, it cannot be used to hurt you.

It really bothers me when white people talk about "a double standard" or 'reverse racism"-- it's embarrassing, it's insulting and it's sad.

[McPander]

Your argument is false....."If you control the word, it cannot be used to hurt you" then African-Americans would not be offended if "other communities" used the word.

Co-opting of that term is a form of black on black racism.

[thatvisionthing]

Look, someone points a gun at you. You take the gun away and take the bullets and the firing pin out. Ha ha ha! I say you win.

[sky2blue]

I understand your point. I think what you're overlooking is the fact that in the face of constant discrimination, it's not just natural, it's intelligent for African Americans to stand together as a group.

That doesn't preclude working with other groups, it just means we support each other. The truth is, it only separates us as far as there are some white people who're used to doing whatever, they just can't handle limits being placed on them because they're white.

And I think the argument over who can and who can't use the n-word is a bit false, anyway. Since blacks have historically been the target of the hate that the word carries, I hope one can understand how it can lose its hatefulness when used among blacks. That said, what reason do white people have to use the word? Why are so many white folks upset about not being allowed to use the word as they you really, really want to? I mean, we know you use it in private. Isn't that enough?

[sky2blue]

Not all black people go around calling each other the N-word. No black person I know. And when it is used, it's used in private and certainly not in public space. Keep in mind that mainstream rap music doesn't accurately reflect the black experience, ghetto or otherwise. The music acts as sort-of a modern day minstrel show. It's created to sell, and 80% of its buyers are young white males.

And before you even start, stop it! Black people don't use any racial sensitive word about white people in public spaces, either. And especially not the word "whitey." THE JEFFERSONS went of the airs in the 80s if not sooner.

[Raymondf]

I don't understand why elizabeth puts up with the s---, It's not like she needs the money, her husband makes 3,000,000 a year.

[thankulord13]

It's not like Whoopi needs it either... She's worth millions...

[Lalita]

My problem with The View is that there really is no room for dissenting points of, well view. Rosie and Whoopie get Elizabeth's back up or send her crying for Momma. Barbara tries to quell dissent...

I think it says something disappointing about women--we can only get along when we're talking about makeup or menopause. Revolting. We need to develop the "muscle" of having clashes of differing opinions. That's the only way we'll grow. The View could be an example of that.

It's just not.

[Raymondf]

Why is it ok for blacks to say the n-word, and not the whites, whats the difference thay call us whitey.

[MalloMel]

I feel your pain. Not!

[JayHorus]

That is a good question, there shouldn't be any double standards, but as long as minorities suffer from the double standards of this country in larger numbers this issue will continue to come up. Now the word N**ger is a word that in my opinion shouldn't be used by anyone, white, black, or any other nationality. I understand the argument that some make about using it often to remove the power from the word, but that isn't a true argument. The majority of blacks, will still get upset if someone outside of the black community calls them that word, but feel free to call each other that. It isn't a very rational argument to be honest. The difference that most people between the two words, Whitey and N**ger is the history behind the word N**ger. I am not saying it is right or wrong, just expressing some thoughts.

[STUPIDgit]

When staying at a high-end resort a few weeks back, my girlfriend (who is black) was having difficulty getting us a table for breakfast because the woman behind the counter (who was white) didn't think she was a guest of the hotel. All that changed when I walked in and gave her a hug - the lady behind the counter quickly said, "Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't realize you were staying here. Right this way." and lead us to a table.

At my girlfriend's sister's predominately black and hispanic high school they don't have any councilors for kids interested in going to college as they do in almost every other high school in the nation. Maybe it's because it's a poor school, but my predominately white high school had plenty of college advisers on campus.

You want to talk about the inequality of using a stupid word and yet you don't seem to have the faintest idea of the inequality of skin color in this country. In case you weren't aware, you do have the freedom to use the N-word. It just makes you an @sshole if you do.

[lhurley3171]

My high school didn't have any either, but it too was "the poor school". The school's student body was approx. 45% white, 40% hispanic, and 5% black.

What happened at the hotel was terrible. You should have reported that hotel clerk to the management. What they did was really rude, and if they wanted to stay in business they would have taken care of the problem. If they didn't, I would even spend my money there anymore.

[naijaman]

Because blacks were never in the powerful position of being able to lynch whites and hang them on trees while allowing their black children to dance around the person who was lynched.

THAT'S WHY, ok?

[sky2blue]

Oh, please! We black people do not going around calling you "whitey."

[thankulord13]

This is so funny that all of you people are still talking about this issue!

[MalloMel]

And now you are talking about it. Now, that's funny.

[john44]

Whoopi and the other pro n-word woman say what ever they want. Joy keeps her mouth shut, as usual. Barbara is out of it. THe blonde always steps into it. What a party. I tell the kids in my classroom that I don't want to hear it. Period. End of story.

[Janemas]

As much as I mostly disagree with Elisabeth on her naiveness of the world... she is absolutely right in the N word being offensive. Although I understand the idea of Whoop and the other lady's view/explanation of taking back the word and taking control of it... IT'S RIDICULOUS to call each other N. I'll be damn if someone uses the word as and endearing term.... and think it's PRETTY. It is just pure ignorance for being vulgur to one another and then say white people cannot use the word. No one owns the word, nor should anyone want to. Do they not realize more than half of the black community disagree with them? They say it doesn't mean the same thing by changing a letter at the end of the word, yet they admit they "took the word" and owned it. Unbelievable. Ain't nothing pretty or endearing about calling each other N. in a household full of kids. Have they not heard of "Abolish the N Word" http://www.abolishthenword.com/history.htm or the "History of N" http://www.aaregistry.com/african_american_history/2420/Nigger_the_word_a_brief_history ? Just because they are black does not mean they have the right to say who can or cannot use it. No one should. Whoopi needs to sit back and stop thinking celebrities have the power to demand and insist. She is no different than the rest of us who disagree with her views.

[evgolightly]

Wow. What an idiot.

Why was she crying?

Imagine a skinny person crying to a fat person over the use of the word 'fatso'. And the fat person saying it's OK if my FAT friends call me fatso, as long as YOU don't do it (you skinny twit).

It's like that -- times 1,000.

What an idiot.

[Auspicious8]

Why she is crying?
easy: the night before she dreamed that a black man named Obama was sitting in the Oval Office....A bas republicans!

[lhurley3171]

Except for one thing, A fat person would never call anyone fatso, nor would they want anyone to call them that. It's just mean. Speaking from the formerly fat point of view.

[tanyainsacramento]

whoppi is so right

only way to move on is tolearn and accept whats here.
dont downgrade a view or opinion but accept the difference.gawd i wish i could embed this video

[helen]

IMHO, it's an offensive, stigmatizing word, not an empowering word, and it shouldn't be used at all...

[thatvisionthing]

So unempower it. Put it out in the sunshine and watch it shrivel up. The more you hide it, the more power you give it. Like Cheney and his dark side. It's just a word, he's just a guy hiding behind the curtain that we're supposed to pay no attention to.

[GunneraGirl]

Who says not using the n word is hiding it? It is disempowering it to not use it.

[blindhog]

Last night I was listening to a woman, who in describing the work of an individual, said he was doing "n..... work". I was taken aback and embarrassed that I was listening to a person who hadn't progressed out of the ignorant mindset of some of the 40s and 50s. There is no doubt in my mind that the use of that word is offensive. A young man of color was sitting not far from us. I don't know if he heard her, but it seemed as if his head and shoulders fell. Why do people seem to think that the pigment of their skin makes them any different that anyone else. Can you imagine a segment of the population speaking down about someone doing "redhaired work" and everyone with red hair being branded as somehow inferior?

[SharonB]

Words are not just "words". They are powerful. That is why slave owners refused to let slaves learn to read. Lots of times you hear people say that "Knowledge is power." No... knowledge is NOT power on its' own TRUTHFUL knowledge is power. Knowledge that is based on lies is dangerous.
The truth is NO one should be called that word. I cannot think of a single person who deserves it.

It speaks much more about the person who uses that word than it does about the person it is being said about. I do not call my friends nor my family by derogatory names I love my friends and family, why would I do that???

Human beings should try their best to treat each other with dignity and respect. The word does not contain nor promote either.

[MalloMel]

The fact is that we disrespect each other in so many ways, and this is considered normal by most people. Just look at our news. Look at our children's music. Look at much of our religion. Look at television. These things and much more are so very negative, and are not about to change.

Humanity is a basket case of negativity, and if we don't survive into the future, I guess we deserve it. What's that about reaping what you sow?

There are many ways that we can do ourselves in and we are working feverishly to bring this about.

Good Luck

[AzRealProgressive]

SharonB , you must not be a hip hop person. Over the last ten years alone that word is the choice on many. For many, that word seems to be a term of endearment. To others?

[9liberal]

I think it is interesting that Elisabeth can fake cry about this issue and she doesn't know how to explain this to the precious Grace, but she doesn't cry about the fact that this president has maimed and killed more people than bin Laden...I find that interesting.
I think the problem is that the view is getting a great deal of emails and letters about Elisabeth's comments regarding the Rev Wright. Lately, she has been acting like she is an expert in black America. As a white girl with blonde hair myself....I can tell you neither her nor I are experts in black America and we never will be...it's not possible.
I know there were days when Elisabeth was making her judgemental comments about a rev she has never met, that seemed a bit racist and fearful. So, I bet the tears were a combo of the fact that she has been getting slammed and the fact that she can't handle it when people tell her she is wrong!

[TrueBlueMajority]

nice catch. she should do more crying over what her political party has done to prop up immoral war criminals.

[Worrywart]

I happened to watch the show that day, and my first reaction, Elizabeth started crying because she just had been (quietly) reprimanded by Barbara to let Whoopi finish twice, and then to let Joy talk also, which also seemed to be accompanied by a leg squeeze, and her feelings; that she is always right, and her opinion must be repeated over and over until all can also believe her opinion is right.

It was strange I was watching, because I noticed this began happening when she was pregnant and all deferred to her, and let her think that she is always right. She kept expecting this when she came back, and I quit watching again, it was like the watching how to deal with a spoiled adult show and one long sell Babs book commercial. When again, Babs let the issue move on, without us listening to the end of Whoopi trying to get us to "put on the other shoes", I did not bother to stay on for the star I tuned in to catch.

Diva.

[nellpost]

I think the diva is whoopie who won't suffer any opinions that differ from her 60's views.

[iswideopen]

Admitting to "America's dirty little secret", as it is called, slavery, should make her cry. She doesn't want to explain to her precious children how these events came about. It would be shameful, I'm sure. I would be willing to bet Elisabeth does not know that the stop lights she uses to help protect her life when she drives were invented by a Black man, Garret Morris. That is the problem at hand, many Americans want to move on, including African-Americans, until we are so boldy reminded and hurt by the likes of Sean Hannity, Bill O'Reilly, Rush Limbaugh, Laura Ingram, Fox News, and the likes constantly reminding the world, "our America". These people represent, and are a voice for the republicn party. They are obviously stuck on stupid where hatred and bigotry are concerned; and yes, some democrats too. Americans are not as unaware as these idiots would believe. May the whole bag of ignorance backfire on them, big time this election season.

[thatvisionthing]

Can I just throw out another word I would like to see fall out of use? African-American. They're not African, they're American. How many people say they're Norwegian-American or English-American or... It's a high-falutin' way of keeping black people separate and clearly identified as different from the rest of Americans. Get past this.

[QueenofSheba]

Not every black person is African - some are from the Caribbean region, some are African, some are from other places, and some of them were born in America and have never been anywhere else. Can we go back to calling black people Black People, if we have a need to differentiate them from people of a different skin color?

[BBGCali]

AMEN!!! I am in total agreement with you.

[StillIRise]

I am an AFRICAN AMERICAN. What you choose to call yourself as an American is your prerogative. Personally, I have no problem with those who call themselves Irish American or Mexican American. In fact, most white Americans simply call themselves and see themselves as white, and I have no problem with this either.

White America long ago defined us as black, just as white America long ago gave a derogatory meaning to the "N" word and used it to define us as well. Black Americans have chosen to take ownership, not only of the "N" word, but of ourselves as well, and we define ourselves in the way WE choose, not necessarily in the way that is more acceptable to whites.

I am an AFRICAN AMERICAN because I give honor to and celebrate both my African and my American heritage; yet I am no less an American than you are and I am sure I love my country as much as you do as well. I don't see how identifying myself as an African American separates me from the rest of Americans, any more than simply calling myself black or you calling yourself white separates either of us from the rest of Americans. Nor do I agree that I should get "past this" merely because you're uncomfortable with it. I'm still black and I'm still an American!

[acanthus]

"Get past this"...to what?

[Lalita]

In fact, lots of people use hyphenated terms to describe themselves--Asian-American, Moslem-American, German-American, Italian-American. Colleges offer specialized scholarships to those who can identify their ethnic origins in many cases (Italian-American, etc.).

I think we have lots of other things to worry about than people who are proud of their ethnic origins and don't want to see them extinguished or ignored (Iike Tiger Woods, who identifies as both African- and Asian-American).

[ObamAtomic]

We would like to see the same interest to discuss,
held accountable whomever violate the Constitution,
the use of the word *N* is not a trivial issue
respect to others is vital for our country and
the Constitution MUST be our foremost concerns,
can we be debating here about the WORD if
we do not had some Constitution left?
Everyone is right,the word is Offensive,period,and
what is more offensive? the *word* or the actions
breeding the division on America.

[Tulka2]

Ya'all still talking about this?

People can say whatever they like, it's a free country, but i reserve the right to make a judgment about what your intent might be.

A big pants wearing, suburban white kid yelling at a group of black kids, "Whasupn___r?" , is not the same as the white father secretly poisoning his children with the word over dinner, is not the same as the whites who try to shame black people by calling them this word when they are feeling powerful. Look, if i hear a white person use the word, i am likely to think you have an unfortunate syndrome of some kind, "Poor thing, but look how nice they dress him."