I have published a more extensive response to Goldberg, and will be publishing a series on Black-Jewish relations, but let me give you a brief response:
I strongly disagree with Whoopi Goldberg's statements as ignorant and divisive. I also strongly disagree with ABC's decision to suspend her, effectively shutting the conversation down. We need more discussion about this, not less.
Whoopi Goldberg's comment that the Holocaust (in which most of my own family was murdered) was "not about race" was just plain ignorant. The Nazis made it clear that it was indeed about "race."
What was more disturbing to me was her other comments. She also said "Well, this is White people doing it to White people. Y’all going to fight amongst yourselves." The implication is that racism can only be practiced by White people against Black people, and anything else is not her concern.
In reality, there is no such thing as "race" - there is no scientific basis to divide human beings into races. But unfortunately, racism does exist. “Race” is about whatever the people doing the racist acts define it to be. The Nazis chose to define race by (among other things) Jewish heritage. In other places and times, race is defined by the color of one’s skin, the slant of one’s eyes, or some other artificial division of people.
Ms. Goldberg made it worse in her attempt at an apology on the Colbert show. There she said "If the Klan is coming down the street, and I’m standing with a Jewish friend, and neither one – well, I’m going to run." I know her point was that her darker skin made her an easier target, but that is precisely why she should NOT run.
My family was murdered because too many people did not stand up to it. The best response to Goldberg's statements comes from Martin Niemöller, a Lutheran minister, who originally supported the Nazis' persecution of Jews, but later imprisoned for opposing the Third Reich:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out— because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.
This is not just a metaphor. The modern version of the Nazis and the Klan are indeed "coming down the street." If, like Whoopi Goldberg, you run, who will be left to stand for you? The only way to stop them is to stand together.
