Whoopi Goldberg’s Racist Logic

Like all Americans, she is entitled to her view and her voice. But the reasoning behind what she said has historic and current weight of which Goldberg should be more than aware. Whoopi excuses Michael Vick’s torture of animals by saying, "You know from his background this is not an unusual thing for where he comes from…There are certain things that are indicative to certain parts of our country.” Co-host Joy Behar challenged Goldberg, asking if dog torture and murder were OK. Goldberg replied, "Unfortunately it's part of the thing.” In short, Ms. Goldberg indicated that because Vick is from “the South” he has a different moral center. She said dog killing was mere “sport.”

In defending Vick’s universally reprehensible actions, Goldberg engaged in precisely the racist rhetoric that justified slavery for years. It is in the hearts of many who still live in the South. Too often we hear, “He doesn’t mean to be a racist, it’s just how he was brought up.” Or, “She’s from Alabama, and there is a different view of the world down there.” Excuses are made for the worst views and behaviors possible, all based on “they don’t know better” arguments. Goldberg excuses Vick, saying, "This is part of his cultural upbringing...This is a kid who comes from a culture when this is not questioned." This is a flimsy, weak-minded excuse for moral failing, in whatever form. I am from the South. I work in Atlanta. Should I have lower moral expectations for myself or my neighbors? Should I excuse any and all form of violence and hatred because of cultural geography?

Regardless of where we are from, regardless of how we were brought up, regardless of the lessons – good and bad – we are taught along the way, at some point each adult is responsible for his or her own mind. To vacate one’s morality because we are from “the South” doesn’t apply to any of us, black or white. And it doesn’t apply to dog fighting any more than it applies to racism. Cruelty is cruelty, in any form, and immoral in all of them. Ms. Goldberg surely knows this – or should know better.

Whoopi Goldberg owes the American people – especially African Americans – an apology for giving weight to the historically racist logic she used to defend the indefensible Michael Vick.