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

[elghoul]

What a load of crap...You have got decent people like Martin Luther King and
Malcolm X dying so that black men live as proud men. What does this generation
do, they decide to revert and call each other " ni.ger". What kind of progressism is that.
As for the slavery issue. The black community needs to learn from those immigrant coming
with nothing and ending up making the american dream happen.
As for the leaders of the black community, nobody is man enough to tell it like it is
to their people, that they need to grow up and stop crying about segregation times that most of them
have not even lived in. Jesse Jackson's comments are reflections of the complacency of these
leaders, for them everything is OK, but the no no's of all is to talk down to the black community
and reminding them of their responsibilties of citizens.
As for being african, I myself born african in Africa does not see any communality with most of the
black men in the US.

[prochange]

I agree with elghoul. I do not think that Africans have anything in common with "black" Americans. And I have lived on both continents.
Also Americans forget that people from Egypt, Morroco, Algiers, Libya, Tunis are Africans too. They are not considered "black".

[brooklyncitizen]

eyes rolling

[TrueIndy08]

Its just society has come to label us.... thats all...

[GravitonX]

Nice try at trying to Divide and Conquer. Check.

[changeishere08]

Elghoul,and Prochange, those Africans you are talking about love to apply for african american scholarships don't they? Africans like you are BENEFITTING from the BLACK AMERICANS who paved the way for you to have the rights you so freely enjoy. Sounds like they have MORE in COMMON with "black americans" than you think.

Don't be arrogant with your pro-African outlook, espcecially since most african countries are knee deep in corruption, civil wars, and AIDS death. How many fatherless african children exist? How many rapes of woman? Work on your own African continent that still live like they're in ancient civilizations?

Spare me your Africans are better than African Americans. How many Africans died last year in Sudan? how many Africans scammed innocent victims from places like Nigeria? What is up with all the spam emails from scam artists.

Oh yes, "Africans" are so much better. On my worst day in America, I would never live in Africa.

[MissAngela]

"they need to grow up and stop crying about segregation times that most of them have not even lived in."
What BS. Of course black people live in segregation. It doesn't say so on a piece of paper anymore, but go look at public schools and neighborho­ods...We inherited segregation.
Same with women - maybe we can vote and own property - but there is a real glass ceiling for women, and blacks, a very real wage gap for equal positions.
I agree that people must try to work against the odds if they want to be any kind of successful - but what you seem to miss (and something tells me you've never lived in a ghetto) is that there are people who are successful, and yes, BLACK. You just don't hear their music on the radio, and you only see criminals on TV...
And as far as a person directly from Africa not being considered Black, well, maybe they don't consider themselves Black and Blacks don't consider them Black Americans, but all of those ignorants out there will treat them just the same - maybe worse because their skin is dark AND their an immigrant.

[PAposter]

"The black community needs to learn from those immigrant coming
with nothing and ending up making the american dream happen."

I'm sorry did they come as slaves or did they choose to be here? You, see had Blacks chosen to emigrate from Africa, we wouldn't be having this conversation, at least not about Blacks.

With all do respect you are not an African American, you are an African living in America. Don't presume to know about American born Blacks. As even Blacks from other countries feel they have a right to demean them, as you have proven. Now talk to me about equality and respect.

[kcam44]

well said Paposter!!!!!

[gladys46]

Well said!!

[GRomero]

Well said Paposter. Part of the problem is no recognition, embracing, or understanding of what equality means.

[randomx6]

Once you show some respect, maybe he will talk to you.

[MalloMel]

"As for being african, I myself born african in Africa does not see any communality with most of the
black men in the US."

You must be a very lonely person.

[GravitonX]

I doubt that you are Black.

[kcam44]

well your comments don't surprise me, most black men born in Africa feel that they are superior to black men in the U.S....I know this, I know quite a few Nigerian people in my neighborhood and at my church. They come to the US and look down on our black men. your comment: "grow up and stop crying about segregation times". I haven't heard anyone recently crying about segregatio­n..blacks just want equality. your other comment "nobody is man enough to tell it like it is"..well Bill Cosby did just that and was criticized for it..Obama tried to do the same thing and was criticized for it. You need to get your facts straight, and come down off your high horse. You come from a country where everyone is black, and racism is probably minimal. I'm not saying your country is without struggle, but don't you dare downplay racism here in the US, it is alive and well.

[pesfb]

As I am myself a daygo, wop, meatball, I have to say that this "discussion" is a pointless endeavor. The very idea that because of cultural experience anyone can rightly claim ownership of a word and dictate its use or non use is nonsense.

None-the-less, I expect the stupidity and the asinine belittling of both women on display here to continue.

Have at it. I'm going for a tomato pie.

[RedDogBear]

From a fellow daygo: right on.

[Imichael]

Eh sounds like my 2 year old. I bet she believes in rainbows and unicorns. How naive and disgusting to see a woman of her age and statue on national tv spewing that horse sh*t.

[nellie]

To admit that we don't live in the same world is a real challenge to her own world view. I agree that it's immature, but mostly, IMHO, it's self-serving.

[prochange]

II applaud Whoopie for bringing up the subject. But I am confused too. Every time I am together with blacks they use the N word . How can it be both a term of endearment and an insult?

I grew up in Europe and I was thoroughly confused when I came to the US. Colored was ridiculous. I know plenty of "colored" people who have whiter skin than me. I also think that the term "Caucasian" is wrong. There are very few Europeans who have anything to do with the Caucasus.

I always refuse to check any of these race-related questions when asked. I think you are either American or not, it has nothing to do where your ancestors came from. In Europe it is against the law to put anything race-related on a questionnaire.

Afro-American is a misnomer , most Americans have nothing to do with Africa , the same is true for Americans with European or Asian ancestors. Usually after one or two generations the influence is gone.

What makes me really angry is that one drop blood rule, which seems to linger on. Everybody readily accepts that Obama is black, though he is actually more white than black considering his upbringing.
I know people, who have ancestors from Europe, Asia and Africa. It never occurred to me for one second that they are “black”. I also never considered “Latinos” or “Hispanics” as a separate kind of people . These divisions are created in this country.

[MalloMel]

Here's a dirty little secret. Anyone who has brown/black hair and/or brown eyes, has some black blood in them from somewhere up the line. It's all in them there genes :)

[sent2null]

and in one fell swoop you showed that you missed the point of pro change. Yes, in America the desire to label people is very strong but it is based on LIES. Just because it may be the case that a person has mixed ancestry (from the perspective of our genes we all do) doesn't mean that a specific label "black" , "hispanic" , "white" can be used to blanket describe all the genetic variations that exist as you did.

I am of Haitian descent, I twinge and often correct people when they refer to me as Black and I avoid using that term to describe any one. I describe people by their ethnic ancestry, a Puerto Rican is just that regardless of shade, people of African descent brought to America during slavery are African American a South African of European descent has the same label as a South African of Koisan descent, I am either a Haitian or Caribbean American. My ex girlfriend was "Romanian", the girl friend before her was "Irish Italian" applying a color label is not only wrong it is very likely redundant.

The really funny thing is that science has long ago dispelled the lies and myth that we can be classified so easily by color labels.

Fact: There is only one race of extant bipedal, omnivorous hominids, the human race.

[StillIRise]

"Usually after one or two generations, the influence is gone."

Your perspective on race and your world view is very similar to Elizabeth's, very idealistic and very naive. The color of our skin, as black Americans and as descendants of Africa has influenced every aspect of our lives, and it will not go away, nor do we want it to go away. We are very comfortable with ourselves as blacks, and the only ones who express discomfort with us are those who want to tell us how we should label ourselves and celebrate or respond to our culture to make them more comfortable with us as well. I commend you for seeing beyond color, but in America, color is what defines us. America is known as 'the melting pot," and I think it is wrong not only to not recognize, acknowledge and respect the many different cultures that we represent, but wrong to assume that we can only be "Americans" by denying our heritage. We are more than just Americans, and America would not be America without our many different stories.

[CammyV]

I usually don't cut EH any slack, but on this subject, I felt her pain. Many of us (Caucasians) have been raised knowing this word is vile and intensely hurtful and to hear black people use it at will, is difficult to understand. You could tell that she was visibly shaken even verbalizing the word and I was touched by her emotion.
When Whoppie said that 'we aren't living in the same world', she is perpetuating a separatist attitude that I thought that we, as a nation, are trying to overcome. I realize that she (Whoppie) doesn't speak for all Black people, but if the nation is to become inclusive, she has to let go of that attitude.

[MalloMel]

"When Whoppie said that 'we aren't living in the same world', she is perpetuating a separatist attitude that I thought that we, as a nation, are trying to overcome."

We may be "trying to overcome", but we have not yet overcome. Therefore Whoppi was just telling the truth.

[DLeeA]

To a degree Whoopie is right that we live in different worlds. The question is whether the parties on either side are actually making an effort to get past that and heal the wounds of the past. Unfortunately, when black pop culture slings around that word so freely, to me it appears that they are clinging to the past and using it as an excuse not to move forward. Slavery and segregation have left a real legacy in this country, don't get me wrong. But the question is "how do we move forward?" Constantly looking back is not the way.

So I don't buy the excuses for them using the word to refer to each other. It just keeps alive things that should be dead and buried.

[acanthus]

Yes, but it only seems to apply to blacks, and not any other ethnic group that uses slurs against their own group in a joking way, or as terms of enderment. Now, explain to me why that's the case. Why just blacks?

[Justsaynodeal]

MO says that we can get rid of this dilemma by electing her husband. If we do that, none of us will ever have to feel guilty again about the black condition. I gave up watching her speeches on TV early in the primary because I thought she was fostering a false claim and creating the delusion that all would be right with the world if we elected her husband. I thought it was too simplistic and was creating more divisiveness in this country than was in my environment. I just wanted to go on treating people as people and choosing friends because of character not skin color.

[StillIRise]

When did Michelle Obama say this? She said HOPE is alive again, hope that awakened when the country appeared to be coming together, for the first time in her adult life and the first time in most of our lives, to consider a black man and a woman for president; hope was awakened with the prospect of change, change in our government and change in our relationships with one another. She specifically said, "... not just because Barack is running for president," but we as a nation had embraced the hope for change that seemed to have died. Hope is the beginning of change, not the end of it. Michelle never said that all would be right with the world if we elected her husband, and her words could only be interpreted as divisive by those who felt threatened by the mere possibility that we could hope to someday be ONE America.

[IRepTheKing]

She's not saying we (Blacks) are separate by choice. I mean, after all we'd love to have had the prosperous experience Whites have historically had in this country, but we don't.

I don't agree with her stance on using the word. I no longer use the word. But her (Whoopi) point was bigger. She was saying stop trying to dictate that you're supposed to understand our culture when you (White) prove many times that you don't truly want to accepts outside of your own terms. Some things are acceptable, but can we honestly say things are equal?

[RAYINNJ]

Why should she? To do so would be a lie! The only way to deal with this issue is to bring all of it's ugliness to the forefront. Your solution is to pretend it doesn't exist - all the while 'red-lining' will continue, job discrimination will continue, unfair lending will continue, unequal promotions will continue - all while your head is in the sand! We ARE a separatist nation at present - have you been listening to the vile comments about Obama, mostly unjustified. He is a man that's done EVERYTHING right, but is still put into the n-word category by many of your race! Proof that the old saying is true, that we must do twice as much to get half the recognition!

[Georgianna]

I don't usually agree with Ms. Hasselbeck, but on this ssue, I think she's right. Why make the distinction? If an African American says it, it' o.k.; when somenone from another racial/ethnic group uses the word it's not.

We can do better.

[amp27]

I agree with you. We don't need to be reinforcing the negative, and I agree with Elizabeth for the first time ever really. It's funny how her tears make news. We want to see what ridiculous issue she is standing up for this time. IF blacks want to use it with blacks, that's their business, but they are keeping themselves down. Same thing happens with women, keeping other women from feeling empowered and strong, breaking away and becoming truly independent. It's an unconscious urge not to let anyone get ahead of them. It's lamentable and evil, short-sighted and cruel. I'm dissappointed in Whoopi. Richard Pryor made it mainstream, and then realized that it was a bad idea to flaunt the N-word after he visited Africa, and stopped putting it in his routine. Whoopi should follow his lead. The B-word's no good either. Or the F-bomb. This is not just about race, but about avoiding inflammation of anger and oppression, negativity and disempowerment. We can't dictate positivity, joy, dignity or bliss. People have to come to those decisions of their own free will. But we can disgree.

[catzoned]

Look, it comes down to this: if it is okay for the black community to use it amongst themselves, then society should respect it. If it is found to be offensive when a white person says that about a person of color, then let's respect that as well. Whoopi is right - it makes a difference. Technology has made made words powerful medium. Let us respect the use of them.

[randomx6]

Okay, so what position do you take when you are on a subway in NYC, high school has just let out and a group of kids, some black, some white, some yellow and some brown get on together and are N'ing up a storm? Okay for the black kids but no one else? So why aren't they telling the other kids to stop it? Oh yeah it's family only the kids know that family aiin't defined by race or ethnicity but by class and friendship.

[Skevimc]

Neither one of them say anything at all. Whoopi's point is made in that we don't live in the same 'world'. Certainly Elizabeth doesn't live in the same world. But neither one have anything to say outside of that.

[MilesTone]

You really have to question a white person who makes the argument, "well blacks can use it, why can't I". Why do you want to use it so badly???

So what if a black person is using it, maybe they are ignorant, but ask yourself why you (white person) want to use it?

[donorman]

Did you even see the video? EH never said that. She is not the one who is being ignorant.

[PAposter]

No, donorman, she said, "how can she teach her children not to use the term, when it's being used in pop culture"..­.either way, I don't understand her dilemma. Do you?

[changeishere08]

donorman, EH is exactly that, IGNORANT. How can you go from regurgitating Hannity talking points, then start wimpering when you are called out on the b.s. because, here's a NEWSFLASH, this country isn't equal for everyone? EH is a fool, a narrowminded, vapid person who is being given facts on N-word and she's not getting it.

Seems to me like she wants to use the N-word without repercussions. Typical bigot viewpoint.

I really wish Debbie M. and Lisa Ling because EH is the sole reason why I stopped watching the View.

[IRepTheKing]

Did you read the question: HE didn't say EH said that....

[GravitonX]

The anti-PC movement is just most whites are itching to use it.

[ann1]

Miles--that was my very thought.

[acanthus]

Because the argument is not really about the "n-word". It's about power, and the idea that many whites have that having the power to dictate to black is their birthright.

[MilesTone]

I'm sure Hasselbeck uses the term at home all the time and around her other ultra conservative buddies. Why is she pretending like the use of the word is a big deal for her????

[donorman]

I feel sorry for you.

[ann1]

WHY?

[thatvisionthing]

Unkind and unfair to Hasselbeck. I think it's far more likely that, like the flag, people--even people with good intentions­--persever­ate on the symbol (flag, word) and lose sight of the thing it represents. Reality separation by degrees to the point where you can't touch reality anymore and you don't even know it. As long as the flag flies and is automatically protected, we have done our part in protecting America... Really, flying the flag over Guantanamo is honoring that flag, Guantanamo doesn't shame or destroy America then? As long as the N word is not said, racism does not exist. Really? Ask Whoopi. It's maddening. I think the Muslims and God have a good reason for forbidding graven images to come before/between people and God. We lose touch with the thing itself, we only read the cover not the book.

This is how Barbara Bush keeps her beautiful mind so unbothered. She won't look, she won't hear, so what she won't look at and won't hear just doesn't exist. This is what makes people angry.

Something covered up festers and becomes malignant. No sunshine antiseptic reaches it.

Great job Whoopi in putting some sunshine on a word that needs to shrivel up. Great job Whoopi in defusing a bomb.

[bogues]

I am a middle-aged white woman and I have always found the N-word to be repugnant. I feel it is inappropriate for anyone to use the word under any circumstances. The reality is that many do use it and the African-American community has to decide whether or not they are offended by the word or not. To use it in song lyrics and in movie scripts or everyday conversation, removes ones ability to claim to be offended by it when someone else says it. You cannot use the word yourself and be OK with it and then be not OK with it when someone else uses it.

[PepperK]

Then tell your white friends and white children not to buy music with the N-word word in it. The only reason it continues is because people make money off of it, from rappers to comedians. Stop supporting it, and you'll help us black people make it go away.

[IRepTheKing]

I understand your point but I've heard whites call other whites "White trash" but I would not feel okay calling one of my white friends that. It's a double standard, yes... but it's a double standard for both sides.

[RAYINNJ]

And who are YOU to tell me what I can't and cannot be offended by, and by whom? How DARE you?

[RAYINNJ]

Oh yeah? Tell you what, go into a club where that word is being used in those lyrics and then yell the word at the top of you lungs while explaining since THEY use it, so can you since it "removes ones ability to claim to be offended by it...". What do you think's gonna happen then?

[mero909]

Big deal about the "N" word. It'll stop being used when there is no racism any longer.

[athenalong]

Which will be never.

Sorry guys.

[thatvisionthing]

This clip favors Elisabeth and shorts Whoopi. I can see a LITTLE more of Whoopi's argument on Fox's segment showed on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5OAftx2dfgg --

MUCH better debate was Frank Zappa vs Robert Novak and John Lofton on Crossfire in 1986 at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ISil7IHzxc. The whole 21 minutes is a total Zappa delight, the subject was censorship of "dirty" records. "We're talking about words." "I don't believe that there's any word that needs to be suppressed­." "Why are people afraid of words?" "I love it when you froth like that." And that's it. Whoopi is (I believe, but I didn't hear everything she said, edited out) all about defusing a bomb targeted to her, facing it down and reducing it to its ... I'm sorry, I'm listening to Frank while I'm typing this and he is just too good! Frank! I love you! I miss you! God how beautiful you were! Nobody destroys Novak like Zappa.

[Wanjiru]

...as is always the case when I read The View-related stories, I'm lost...

...is Elisabeth crying because the "N" word brings her pain????..­.

...if so, I'd like to know howso...

egads!

.

[rolitt]

Elisabeth needs to listen and she may learn something from Whoopie AND Barbara. The reason she ALMOST cried is because she realized her perfect beliefs are flawed. Whoopie AND Barbara both were trying to explain to her, as frustrating as it was for them both, that it is not the same and culture dictate difference and she must understand these things. Her square box mind could not handle it which contradicts justifications to her conservative beliefs. When everyone around you is trying to tell you something and you are the only one who does not get it, you will get overloaded and it is time to listen and attempt UNDERSTANDING, the round peg is ozzing out of the square box you place it in.

Sometimes Elisabeth can be so scripted until it reminds me of Mary Tyler Moore's role in Ordinary People. Scary.

And Jesse's jealousy of Barack's success has finally been exposed. Grow up.

[Hopeforward]

I agree with your comment 100%

The tears started to role when Elizabeth realized her "scripted" responses were not making any sense to the panel or the audience. A tip for you Elizabeth, you might do better with your talking points if you didn't take your cues for Sean Hannity.

[FirstShirt]

Whoopi would like to stay in different worlds because then she can be irresponsible.

With Barack, blacks need to get off of the pity pot. Is there still racism? yes. Is it an ixcuse for irresponsible behavior? No

Whoopi is just falling into the old Jesse Jackson trap.

And, if it is just WASPs who are sensitive about this then who are the true progressives? Those who embrace the concept that while we know the word we teach our children to be sensitive to the feelings of others, or, in the alternative, those who embrace the concept of separate but unequal, like many liberals. Don't just talk the talk, walk the walk.

[acanthus]

When whites stop calling each other by ethnic slurs (including using them as terms of endearment, which they do), then we can talk.