The View’s’ Whoopi Goldberg Defends Janet Jackson Over Kamala Harris ‘Mistake’
Whoopi Goldberg Defends Janet Jackson Amid Controversy Over Kamala Harris’ Race Remarks
Whoopi Goldberg has stepped in to defend Janet Jackson following backlash over remarks the singer made about Vice President Kamala Harris’ racial identity. The discussion took place on Monday’s episode of The View, where Goldberg urged people to show Jackson some grace. The incident stemmed from an interview Jackson gave to The Guardian over the weekend, where she appeared to question Harris’ Black identity.
During the segment, Goldberg noted that Jackson is not heavily involved in politics and should be given some understanding for her comments. She also pointed out that Jackson is mourning the recent loss of her brother, Tito Jackson, who passed away last week.
“Janet Jackson is not a political animal,” Goldberg said, adding, “Sometimes people get it wrong. They made a mistake. It happens to all of us.” Goldberg encouraged viewers to offer some empathy, saying, “A little grace for the girl. A little grace for the girl.”
Jackson found herself in hot water after she suggested in the interview that she had heard Vice President Harris is “not Black.” When asked about Harris possibly becoming the first Black female president, Jackson replied, “That’s what I heard. That she’s Indian.”
When the interviewer, Nosheen Iqbal, clarified that Harris is of both Black and South Asian heritage, Jackson appeared surprised, responding, “Her father’s white. That’s what I was told.” She also admitted that she hadn’t watched the news in a few days and reiterated what she had heard from others, saying, “I was told that they discovered her father was white.”
Kamala Harris, whose mother was born in India and whose father is Black and from Jamaica, has often spoken about her mixed heritage and how it has shaped her identity. However, misinformation about her racial background has been a recurring issue, especially from political opponents.
This isn’t the first time Harris’ racial identity has been called into question. Former President Donald Trump made similar claims during the National Association of Black Journalists convention back in July. Trump falsely stated that Harris “happened to turn Black” only recently and implied that she was leveraging her Black identity for political advantage.
Trump’s remarks have fueled conspiracy theories among right-wing groups, casting doubt on Harris’ identity and suggesting she uses it selectively for political gain. These claims have been repeatedly debunked, but they continue to circulate, influencing public opinion.
The fallout from Jackson’s comments was swift, with many taking to social media to criticize the music icon. Critics accused Jackson of carelessly spreading misinformation and questioned why she hadn’t been more informed before making such statements. Some were also disappointed by her remarks, especially given her significant influence and platform.
Jackson’s representatives later issued a statement, explaining that an unauthorized individual, claiming to be Jackson’s manager, had spoken on her behalf. This person had offered an apology for Jackson’s remarks, but it was made clear that the apology did not come from Jackson herself. As of now, Jackson has not made any direct public comments addressing the situation or clarifying her statements.
Another co-host of The View, Ana Navarro, also weighed in on the matter during Monday’s episode. Navarro expressed frustration over Jackson’s use of her platform to share unverified information. “I think it’s very irresponsible when you have a platform like Janet Jackson does,” she said, emphasizing the importance of being well-informed when discussing sensitive topics, especially in the current political climate.
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about the spread of misinformation, especially among high-profile figures. With the growing influence of social media and the speed at which information—both true and false—can travel, the responsibility of public figures to be informed before speaking is more important than ever.
While some are calling for Jackson to address her comments directly and issue an apology, others, like Goldberg, are urging the public to approach the situation with understanding. As Goldberg reminded the audience, everyone makes mistakes, and it’s essential to allow room for people to correct them without immediate harsh judgment.
For now, Jackson remains silent on the controversy, but the conversation around Harris’ identity and the spread of misinformation is likely to continue. With a platform as large as Jackson’s, any future comments will undoubtedly be watched closely by both fans and critics alike.
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