Whoopi Goldberg apologizes for using offensive word on ‘The View’
Whoopi Goldberg issued an apology on Wednesday’s episode of ‘The View’. The talk show host mentioned how former president Donald Trump’s supporters feel he got “gypped” in the 2020 presidential election. Goldberg explained, “When you’re a certain age, you use words that you know from when you’re a kid or you remember saying, and that’s what I did today and I shouldn’t have.” Goldberg apologized for using the word and said she should have said “cheated” instead.
The use of the word “gypped” has been a long-standing issue. For years, some have casually used the word to describe when they’ve received less than they paid for, or if they’ve gotten something stolen. However, the term should be retired as the word “gypsy” has been used to describe the Romani people. Being “gypped” is defined as being cheated, defrauded, or swindled, and notes, regarding its etymology, that it is “probably short for gypsy.”
University of Texas at Austin professor Ian Hancock, who was born in Britain to Romani parents, explained to NPR in 2013 on how the use of the word can be hurtful. “I encounter a lot of people who tell me that they never knew the word ‘gypped’ had anything to do with gypsies, or that it’s offensive — especially when the word is heard not read,” he said. “My response to them is, ‘That’s okay. You didn’t know but now you do. So stop using it. It may mean nothing to you, but when we hear it, it still hurts.'”
This is not the first time Goldberg has come under fire for making offensive comments. Last year, on an episode of ‘The View’, Goldberg was suspended for declaring that the Holocaust was “not about race” but about “white supremacy” and “man’s inhumanity to man.” Goldberg’s first apology attempt was not well-received. In a recent interview, she clarified her beliefs and apologized again, especially to everyone who thought she was doubling down on hurtful comments.
Goldberg’s clarification and apology demonstrate the importance of thoughtful and careful language usage. It is important to respect and honor all communities and cultures, and part of that includes not using language that can be hurtful or offensive to those groups. As Hancock said, “It may mean nothing to you, but when we hear it, it still hurts.”
