Heart-ache: Hasselbeck reduced to tears by dopey N-word discussion
posted at 6:06 pm on July 17, 2008 by Allahpundit
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I too was in tears after viewing it, so excruciatingly inarticulate is our cast. Newsbusters has a transcript, but trust me, it won’t help. Hasselbeck’s point is a simple one: We all share a common culture, so in the interests of commonality, how about everyone agrees to quit dropping the N-bomb, yes? Whereupon Whoopi, seizing the opportunity for a righteous show of Absolute Moral Authority, duly pitches a fit about how we’re different and that’s the way it is and Elisabeth simply doesn’t understand the “frustration” over the “huge problems that still affect us,” even though, please note, in calling for everyone to stop using the word she’s making the same argument as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton. Consider this a punctuation mark on a week that began with that Obama New Yorker cover, the intent of which was clear but declared to be beside the point because it was unhelpful to the left’s agenda. Whoopi and Sherri Shepherd have a plausible intentionalist defense of their position available to them here — when blacks use the N-word the intent will almost always be innocent whereas it’s much more ambiguous when coming from whites — but that ends up being exploded when Walters asks Shepherd what would happen if she said the word, presumably in a friendly/jokey manner to Sherri. Answer: “I don’t want to hear it come out of your mouth.” So much for intentions.
Anyway. Hasselbeck ends up in tears, Whoopi ends up basically arguing that the gulf between the races is too great for them ever to understand each other (or at least for whites to understand blacks), and they end up quickly moving on to talk about something else. Is this the sort of great national conversation Barry O had in mind?
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…….. as long as we all know we are talking about.
Seven Percent Solution on July 18, 2008 at 12:52 AM
What happens on this show is not news. Why waste time or energy on it.
Next.
Dave Rywall on July 18, 2008 at 12:59 AM
And I guess that the rappers who use disgusting language about women are actually therapists helping men to exorcise their
misogyny, or is it just black men who would be able to do that? Whoopie should tour the country giving seminars on this very nuanced subject and just take questions from all the racist white people trying to redeem themselves.
Christine on July 18, 2008 at 1:01 AM
Joining this thread a bit late, but coincidentally i was watching a clip on YouTube tonight about the enforcement of code speech on our public university campuses, and found a great money quote that I think indirectly applies to this discussion..it goes a little something like this…ahem…:
surrounded on July 18, 2008 at 1:02 AM
I don’t get Whoopi’s argument. I’m a woman and there’s a certain word that I better not be called, and you sure as hell won’t hear me call myself or another woman that word. Whoopi needs to get in the current century. What happened in the past is in the past. Her mom can now vote and so can she, and so can I as a woman. I’m not holding it against all men because my grandmother was not initially given the right to vote. I take what I have now, and I run with it. We can’t change the past so let’s stop living in it.
sheesh on July 18, 2008 at 1:08 AM
I demand equal rights……
….or go to Jamaica where everybody greets each other with the Latin word for black, as such: “Hey ya nigga”.
It’s the black people in this country that keep themselves under the curse of the derogatory connotations of this Latin word for black, by repeating it over and over among themselves.
Such a sad sack of bullshit coming out of Whoopie’s mouth…
Mcguyver on July 18, 2008 at 1:14 AM
What you talkin bout Whoopi?
InstantNemesis on July 18, 2008 at 1:21 AM
Honkie, HONKIE!, HONKIE!!!
winemkr on July 18, 2008 at 1:27 AM
Ah, this is the AP I know, watching the View.
Double standards. It’s our word.
We don’t live in your world. Neither do we want to.
It’s easier to hold on the stereotypes rather than integrate and let the past go.
In other words, we are the N-word
Kini on July 18, 2008 at 1:39 AM
Racism is trying to die all on its own in this nation (it grows weaker with each new generation), but so many keep wanting to feed it, milk it, grow it, talk about it, etc.
I don’t have time for racism: To practice it, to think it, to hear about it, to “enter a dialog” about it – I’m tired of it and I don’t want any part of it!
No doubt my attitude ifself would be considered ‘racist’ by some… but isn’t my attitude and stance where everyone needs to get to? How can we ever put it behind us if its dying carcass is continually placed on a resuscitator, given food and oxygen and marched out again and again?
It’s kind of like the old comic routine where Moe has to wake up Curly to tell him to go to sleep – stop it already!!
electric-rascal on July 18, 2008 at 1:57 AM
Hasselbeck is a very nice lady. It is for this reason that she does not belong on that stupid show.
Sorry, but she has no “Malkins”.
Talon on July 18, 2008 at 4:53 AM
This “discussion” is an attempt to maintain the entitlement and victim status. Their logic is that all Caucasians are guilty but “they” took the upper hand by taking “hurtful speech” away from “us” as a form of protection and expression. Perhaps if someone could lead these idiots to a history book they would see racism and prejudice have existed forever. They hold no special purview over them.
Point in fact, I am part Native American; my family never owned anyone, fought to free slaves, and it wasn’t until I was “informed” that I am guilty and dictated to how I could or could not act towards someone, other then with the dignity and respect they show me, that I ever gave it a second thought.
PatriotPete on July 18, 2008 at 7:01 AM
I think he was gettin jiggy with her at the time, that was his “Eminem Stage”, I’m surprised he didn’t have cornrows in his hair transplants at the time.
Alden Pyle on July 18, 2008 at 7:36 AM
Could anyone persuade Laura Ingraham or Michelle Malkin to replace Hasselbeck and put these lefties in their places?
Hear, Hear!
It wouldn’t make any difference. It’s like arguing with drunken fools. The drunken fools aren’t looking for a discussion. They just brought the sober guy along to mock him, poke him and punch him while the audience laughs!
JellyToast on July 18, 2008 at 7:48 AM
Perfect analogy.
Alden Pyle on July 18, 2008 at 8:18 AM
Stuff like this just makes me want to lash out at someone…does anyone else feel like they’re taking crazy pills every time they look at the headlines??
charlie36r on July 18, 2008 at 8:20 AM
Right on!
charlie36r on July 18, 2008 at 8:21 AM
The game, Madame Whoopie, is changing. Asians, Latinos, Indian-Indians making it to the top; they recognize no debt or obligation to Black America. Nor should they. So the victimhood racket is facing its expiration date. Blacks will have to compete or rot away at the bottom. Their choice. The buffoon Whoopie would do more for her race if she were to lay out that fact for them.
dhimwit on July 18, 2008 at 8:30 AM
I sometimes hear white people refer to other whites as “poor white trash”. It’s not a term of endearment. And I doubt they would want their children associating with the group whom they refer to in that way. So it’s not only blacks who fall into the unfortunate trap of calling their own people names.
Lennie on July 18, 2008 at 8:35 AM
Okay, since the AA’s get to have their own word and we others may not use it in any way or at any time, I feel it is time for us Euro-Americans to have our own word. From now on, “cracker” and/or “cracka” are off limits. We own that word. Our forefathers cracked an infinite number of corn kernels to deserve that name. They fought off the US Government during prohibition and were forced to distill their moonshine in the deep and dangerous woods where mosquitoes and rattlesnakes roamed. They were lowered to speeding down country lanes trying to outrun the police. Okay, we did get NASCAR out of that one so I guess it can not be construed as a trial.
SO no more crackers for any of you other races out there. It is OUR word.
carbon_footprint on July 18, 2008 at 8:48 AM
NP.
Can we ship them all back to Africa then? I mean really, how much more of this crap do we have to put up with? It just goes on and on and when you think they can’t be serious you realize they are.
I figured, OK give them Barak Hussein Obama and maybe the deal would be that we no longer have to listen to these people who are so not victims of anything whine about their victimhood, but I’m beginning to get the picture.
These folks intend to ride their victimhood gravy train right up our pahooneys.
pabarge on July 18, 2008 at 8:50 AM
Excellent point, there. Now go one further. If, indeed, Ms. H. “cared” so much to not say the POLLOCK word at home, then why on public television? She fell unwittingly for her own criticism. If she really wants to look intelligent, she needs private tutoring in real debate and political science. Her efforts on The View are no better than any attractive housewife’s, and that is why she was offered the job. If she wants to improve herself and her performance abilities with/against those fish faced tunnel visioned females, she has to put out the effort on her own time and dollar to be MORE capable than they. As it is, no one on that show, particularly the “hostess” BabaWawa, has any sharp witted succinct surmising verbal ability that cuts to the quick, right to the heart of whatever matter. Black tirades are such a bore. “Just say no” to stupidity. Ms. Hasselbeck could just say what she has to say without stroking Whoopi who was WRONG. When Whoopi said that we do NOT share one world, stipulate the place that Whoopi just placed herself, tell her to get over her affront to the rest of humanity, remind her that she’s not hurting from financial want, ask her what charities she has established and what on earth she’s doing with her personal wealth for her “cause” of black “n”ness. Put up or shut up. Turn it off.
maverick muse on July 18, 2008 at 8:53 AM
Again, I DEMAND equal rights to be desensitized when I use the Latin word for “nigger”
From the link provoded by Alden Pyle on July 18, 2008 at 7:36 AM
I’m sick and tired of black people, or any others, who get to have rights that I don’t!
I want to be desensitized from having the word “nigger” having such derogatory connotations!!
I don’t use it as a slur.
I apologize for the Latin language lesson so early in the morning.
I know it’s kinda rough when drinking coffee and taking lessons so early in the morning.
I apologize.
…
…let’s practise shall we?
Elisabeth Hasselback to Whoopie, “So what you’re saying is that “nigger” is a term of endearment?”
Whoopie:”Right, that is what I’m saying.”
Elisabeth: “Oh! Now I see it! Yeah! Well ok then, I suggest we practice among us because after all, we all love… I mean really love each other here.
Whoopie: Good idea! Who wants to go first?
Elisabeth: “I’ll go! ….. [looks at Whoopi and Sherri]…. “Hey lovely “niggers” how are you doing this morning?! Good to see you! I missed you last night, when we had a party with some “nigger” friends of mine!”
Whoopie: “Thanks! I appreciate the sentiment. Maybe next time!”
Elisabeth: See how easy that is! No hard feelings and no harm done! Isn’t that lovely?”
Whoopie: “Yeah, thanks for that. I appreciate it!”
Mcguyver on July 18, 2008 at 8:59 AM
Sorry if this has been said already, as I haven’t read the comments yet, but I just wanted to point out a small fact. When Hassleback claims they live in the small world, Whoopi’s retort is that they don’t, because her mother couldn’t vote.
That’s not a black white thing. It’s a male female thing.
Black men had the right to vote before women were ever given the chance.
My white great aunt had to fight for the right to be on a jury in her town.
And I’m so sick of the discussion over using that word (or rather how it always ends, in the it’s OK for blacks but not for whites). If it’s wrong for whites to say it, no matter their intent, then it’s racist for anyone to say it. You don’t take away its power by taking away it away from the majority.
Esthier on July 18, 2008 at 9:34 AM
Sounds like Whoopi is making the argument that a lot of post-Civil War Southerners in white sheets made for over a century. Apparently, the rednecks aren’t the only ones who can’t get past their own racism.
john1schn on July 18, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Apparently, Whoopi and Sherri still think we are living in Plessy v. Ferguson days. Brown vs. what?
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on July 18, 2008 at 9:58 AM
If Whoppie or others of her ethnicity called me a dumb Irish Mic the rules are off and I am free to call her niggardly. That’s fairness in action.
For one race to declare what “Words” just “Words” can or cannot be used over another you will see Sign Language becoming our primary language, and displaying one’s middle finger to another is the beginging of a sentenance starting with the pronoun ‘I’.
MSGTAS on July 18, 2008 at 9:58 AM
Cause apparently, we do.
The thing is, even if Whoopi and Sherri had agreed here that really, it’s not that big a deal if white people use the word, I still wouldn’t start using it.
I don’t want to use the word and never have wanted to use it. It’s not even a pleasant sound, and I don’t even like it when black people use the word.
However, I absolutely abhor being told that as a white person I need to watch myself, lest I think myself on the same level as a black person who can use that word.
And the thing is, black people can use every racial epithet they can come up with when referring to white people and get away with it.
It really wouldn’t matter. Whatever word we can use, honky, cracker, white trash, redneck, etc., those words aren’t off limits to black people.
Esthier on July 18, 2008 at 10:07 AM
The threat to the 40+ year reign of the Affirmative Racial Preference system from any new rules that even hint of giving equal treatment to WASPS who are are caught violating the system’s rules is not going to happen without a fight. The $$$ and the social preferences now enjoyed by, for example, Michelle Obama, are viewed by this current favored class as their property rights vested in their Blackness. This is an issue similar to the issues facing the English subjects in the Colonies prior to the american revolution for these favored Black Americans. Will they fight or compromise?
jimw on July 18, 2008 at 10:22 AM
You must admit, it does illuminate how utterly corrupt the thinking is that the black community promotes. Years of the government promoting the victim excuse for every failure of the black community has consequences.
If blacks were held to the same standards as whites, the black community would be better off. But it is held to a “cough, look down, and move on” standard that accepts really poor behavior, with out even feeling that any porpose is served to rebut.
The bigotry of really low expectation.
saiga on July 18, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Well, as my father always taught me, if you have no respect for yourself, then no one else will have respect for you either!
Blacks, epitomized by the asinine arguments remarks of Whoopi and Sheri, have no respect for themselves.
That is thanks largely to 40 years of Self-hate/self-loathing Anti-American inculcation by the White Leftists and Democrats in this country, which the blacks, much to their detriment, have embraced whole-heartedly!
Thus, since the White Leftists and the Blacks have no self-respect, I have no respect for them either!
Dale in Atlanta on July 18, 2008 at 10:32 AM
Hey, those checks pay the bills and bankroll the elusive “Upward March”. Who cares if you really are worthy of it or not?
At least Obama recognises that men are now judged by the content of their character, and many are judged to be negative at best.
Lie I said many times, when someone needs a kick in the butt, the dems want to give them a check.
saiga on July 18, 2008 at 10:50 AM
Brilliantly expressed.
RushBaby on July 18, 2008 at 11:08 AM
Fantasy dialogue:
Hasselbeck: Whoopi, you’re saying that I’m unable to have the same judgment as you simply and only because of the color of my skin. I remember reading about how blacks couldn’t vote in the old days because of a similar mindset.
Goldberg: …
fossten on July 18, 2008 at 12:38 PM
You almost sent me to a very strange place ;)
LimeyGeek on July 18, 2008 at 1:26 PM
I’m probably more frightened than you are.
baldilocks on July 18, 2008 at 1:43 PM
.
The issue is not that one’s life is made worse by not being able to use it, but that others can and do use it, and by doing so, make everybody’s life worse. I think of it just like the F-word, basically, nobody ought to be using it.
Think_b4_speaking on July 18, 2008 at 1:55 PM
I won’t even watch the video. That foul baba wawa only has hasselbach on so conservatives will look like airheads. Invite Ann Coulter on that show and she’ll make those idiots cry.
peacenprosperity on July 18, 2008 at 2:24 PM
“You can’t use our word” seems awfully analogous to “You can’t use our drinking fountain”.
Gary_M on July 18, 2008 at 2:34 PM
I think it’s kind of like a man calling a woman a bitch. If a woman calls another woman a bitch they don’t like it but the punch isn’t as severe. Let’s face women do do it all the time.
Or like when gay men call each other faggots, which they also do all the time. If a straight guy or person calls them a faggot they have a problem.
I think it really matters what’s behind the delivery, what’s the intent.
If you are wearing a white hood and screaming “all you niggers” it’s very different from Jay Z saying “all my niggers”…
AprilOrit on July 18, 2008 at 2:53 PM
say what you want about her, but there’s no argument that Hasselback is a hottie
jediwebdude on July 18, 2008 at 2:54 PM
This is not a dopey subject, but these idiots make it so.
The posters have elevated it and explained it all. This was one of my favorites from dhimwit:
“The game, Madame Whoopie, is changing. Asians, Latinos, Indian-Indians making it to the top; they recognize no debt or obligation to Black America. Nor should they. So the victimhood racket is facing its expiration date. Blacks will have to compete or rot away at the bottom. Their choice. The buffoon Whoopie would do more for her race if she were to lay out that fact for them.” But she won’t because it doesn’t perpetuate the the entitlement of the black victim.
Lennie has a point about white trash. I’ve used that phrase describing a few of our tenants. They fit that description. But because I’ve carried white guilt for more than 40 years
I still don’t use the n-word. It doesn’t even enter my mind.
(Now it might, thanks to Professor Whoopie).
Actually, something good had come from this. I’ve decided to let go of my white guilt. I refuse to carry something that I’m not responsible for…Better late than never.
Christine on July 18, 2008 at 3:35 PM
yea! looking forward to 4 years of this crap coming with obambi!
elduende on July 18, 2008 at 4:14 PM
IMO, the View is a daily disgraceful POS of a program. Shamefully, Whoopi Goldberg needs her mouth washed out with soap.
byteshredder on July 18, 2008 at 4:46 PM
I haven’t read the comments before this one. Once I see the N-word referenced I start to imagine all the goodie-goodie two shoes that claim to have never used the term in their lives. BS. I’ll stop using the word when the n-word compatriots discontinue using it. And just for grins, hey nigger, suck it up.
fgmorley on July 18, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Just started to read the comments in this thread and I can’t believe the moral equivalency displayed:
Dear Dr.
The racism on display by the “black community” in general, and by Hussein and his wife is certainly ironic. All criticism of Barack Hussein Obama is now known as a distraction. If this isn’t complete discrimination, of the reverse kind, then please show me why this isn’t the real irony.
fgmorley on July 18, 2008 at 5:48 PM
I’m all for a moratorium on the use the word for everyone. However, it’s fun to imagine Internet bada**es saying things like this to real life black people, isn’t it fgmorley?
baldilocks on July 18, 2008 at 6:55 PM
She’s famous why?
TOPV on July 18, 2008 at 6:56 PM
I just tell my kids…”they’re two sets of rules, one for us…one for them”.
LtE126 on July 18, 2008 at 7:09 PM
If it’s okay for Whoopi and the other black racist chick to use the word nigga, it’s okay for me to use the word nigga.
Their complexion
is not their protection.
Say it again brutha…
DfDeportation on July 18, 2008 at 7:10 PM
Sorry…”there’s”
LtE126 on July 18, 2008 at 7:12 PM
I just tell my kids…”they’re two sets of rules, one for us…one for them”.
LtE126 on July 18, 2008 at 7:09 PM
Nope! And to be fair, the black racists can use the words honky and inbred hillbilly if they want….
DfDeportation on July 18, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Sorry, as much as I may like her personally, Hasselbeck is a WEAK representative, intellectually and otherwise, of our POV. However bona fide, she’s not intellectually forceful and articulate enough to present effectively our POV, especially in a forum such as that.
Probably that’s why the View hired her.
petefrt on July 18, 2008 at 8:28 PM
Someone please fire this incompetent, embarrassing woman. A randomly chosen HotAir commenter could do a better job.
ABC’s choice was so transparent. A reality show subject as a cultural commentator? Yeah, that’s deep. Go home and make babies, Elizabeth.
ashleymatt on July 18, 2008 at 9:06 PM
What I don’t care for is the old doll – Wawa trying to censor everyone.
She’s is one big control freak.
AprilOrit on July 18, 2008 at 9:21 PM
Either every one says it, or no one says it. Giving magical powers to words is just stupid.
corbettw on July 18, 2008 at 10:40 PM
Hilarious!
RobertCSampson on July 19, 2008 at 12:16 AM
To Elizabeth Hasselbeck:
Just my opine. Shamefully, Barbara Walters is allowing you to be used as a pinata, in a dirty race baiting, ratings game. As long as the Views ratings climb, Walters doesn’t give a rats butt how many hits you take. Whoopi Goldberg is the same type of rotten race bait-er as Jesse Jackson, and Al Sharpton.
byteshredder on July 19, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Who do you think buys all these cd’s that spout this crap. My kids and yours. They didn’t grow up in the 60s/70s (my time frame) so they don’t even know the real hurt behind the word. So it seems hip to them. So…
if my white kids go out spewing this crap because they think it’s hip are they in danger? Whoopi’s argument leads me down that path from your statement. by the way, I read your blog and usually agree with you on most subjects.
yakwill83 on July 19, 2008 at 12:29 AM
baldilocks- I’m not an internet bada–. And I happen to live with and am surrounded by real life black people. The word is offensive to them as is honky, cracker, peckerwood, etc. is offensive to whites. I am bringing out the double standard that exists in society’s conversations.
fgmorley on July 19, 2008 at 3:36 AM
Hey Whoopi -
It’s time to MOVE ON….
gxpgxp on July 19, 2008 at 9:47 AM
I prefer to understand the acknowledgement.
labrat on July 19, 2008 at 11:19 AM
As it should be.
Black people call you the names you specified to your face?
baldilocks on July 19, 2008 at 3:36 PM
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