(Headline USA) Comedian and activist Whoopi Goldberg has apologized for saying the Holocaust was not about race, comments that caused a backlash.
Goldberg, a cohost of ABC’s “The View,” made the initial comments during Monday morning’s broadcast. Her apology came in a tweet hours later.
“On today’s show, I said the Holocaust ‘is not about race, but about man’s inhumanity to man,'” she wrote.
“I should have said it is about both,” she added. “As Jonathan Greenblatt from the Anti-Defamation League shared, ‘The Holocaust was about the Nazi’s systematic annihilation of the Jewish people — who they deemed to be an inferior race.’ I stand corrected.”
The Sister Act star, who is both black and identifies as Jewish, then relayed her solidarity with God’s chosen people.
“The Jewish people around the world have always had my support and that will never waiver,” she claimed. “I’m sorry for the hurt I have caused. Written with my sincerest apologies, Whoopi Goldberg.”
The hosts on “The View” were discussing a Tennessee school board’s banning of Maus, a graphic novel about the Nazi death camps during World War Two.
The board cited nudity and profanity as its reasons for banning the book, which has won several literary awards, including a Pulitzer Prize.
“I’m surprised that’s what made you uncomfortable, the fact that there was some nudity,” Goldberg said on the show.
“I mean, it’s about the Holocaust, the killing of 6 million people, but that didn’t bother you?” she continued. “If you’re going to do this, then let’s be truthful about it. Because the Holocaust isn’t about race. No, it’s not about race.”
Co-host Joy Behar, who also identifies as Jewish, said that the Nazis said Jews were a different race.
“But it’s not about race. It’s not. It’s about man’s inhumanity to other man,” Goldberg replied.
Ana Navarro responded: “But it’s about white supremacy. It’s about going after Jews and Gypsies and Roma.”
Goldberg said: “But these are two white groups of people.”
Sara Haines pointed out that the Nazis didn’t see Jewish people as white.
“But you’re missing the point!” Goldberg said. “The minute you turn it into race, it goes down this alley. Let’s talk about it for what it is. It’s how people treat each other. It’s a problem.”
Greenblatt thanked Goldberg late Monday night.
“Thanks @WhoopiGoldberg for correcting your prior statement and acknowledging the #Holocaust for what it was. As #antisemitism surges to historic levels, I hope we can work together to combat ignorance of that horrific crime and the hate that threatens all,” he tweeted.
To her credit, Goldberg has been consistent in standing behind the classic liberal opposition to censorship, even as cancel culture pervades politically correct leftist ideology.
She previously came to the defense of Mark Twain’s The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn after contemporary publishers attempted to edit out the book’s use of the n-word.
Adapted from reporting by the Associated Press
