Whoopie, I work part time in retail, and since the election as always, I observe people quietly. But since the election, a new peace can be felt from the black shoppers. It is inner, from the kids, teens, to the adults and the older population. Not anything in what they say, just the energy. Souls at a quieter peace. And when we do interact, it is no longer about color, just people interacting with other people. Some say I just try to read too much into what I see, but it is real. There are many paths to a mountain top, but when a part of the population reaches the summit together, peace in the change becomes evident. And you in many ways, led the path to the summit. More than anything else, the View does display dignity for all subjects. Even Elisabeth seems like a weight has been lifted from her. Peace to you from the most outward and inward levels always. Blessings, Linda

Whoopi- I have followed your career and have always been impressed. I never really thought that when I was watching your stand-up…well, that you were one of the few if only black women comedians running in the race. I just knew that I connected to your humor. I loved how you got the audience to open their hearts with laughter and then you ZINGED them with a human truth…like about abortion or addiction. That’s what was so attractive to me. It was like watching a sculptor of the human heart. I often use humor in tough times even though it doesn’t always work. I love your movie work. I love your “view” that you allow us to see. Thank you, Josie

Dona comments, “Don’t you think it’s strange all her so called friends have not made any comments to her goodbye.” You think maybe this is fear amongst participants? http://groups.google.com/group/alt.usage.english/browse_thread/thread/2f… Okpulot Taha Choctaw Nation

whoopi and liz, i am a fan of both. but i want to say that an important woman died last night, and because she is black and maybe passe, this site has not yet given her the recognition she deserves. odetta influenced joan baez and bob dylan as well as the whole civil rights movement. read about her in the new york times: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/03/arts/music/03odetta.html?hp

Oh Woopie! I am such an admirer, and respect you because you seem to be a genuine person, true always to yourself. Your presence is truly a gift to all of us. thank you.

To Whoopi You inspired me to write this. Thank You and I am also a huge fan of the Mr Clean Magic Erasers!!! Sincerely Sharon Lloyd Put my suitcase down. I was watching history in the making like so many people around the world. It was Obama’s acceptance speech; he had become the first black president of the United States, hope for the country and an end to the dreadful Bush years. Suddenly you felt the black community lift their chins up and straighten their backs not just over America but the whole of the world. Suddenly you could be black and become President if that’s what you wanted. You could finally as a black man or woman have equal dreams. The flood doors had been opened in one night ending a two-year campaign, which had put unthinkable stress on a nation. No more debating or arguing, the results were in. I went back to bed my mind full of hope and heart simply smiling. The next morning I couldn’t wait to hear what the world was saying. I switched from channel to channel so I didn’t miss anything. I couldn’t stop smiling and talking about the wonder of it all. Then it was 11 o’clock am and my favourite person of recent weeks was going to be on the TV. I switched to channel eight and listened to Whoopi Goldberg on The View. For weeks she and the others had the most heated and passionate discussions. Now the result from the nation was here and everything was settled. Then Whoopi told us how she called her mother after Obama’s acceptance speech and asked her something she never thought she would and that was “Did you think you would ever see this in your life time?” and her mother answered, “No I didn’t, I never thought I’d live to see this!” Whoopi went on to say something that struck a cord in me. She said when this happened, she had always regarded herself as an American, but suddenly she felt herself put her suitcase down! And that’s the moment that said it all. To me Whoopi as usual had nailed it on the head, with one simple sentence. And this led me onto another thought. We all have a suitcase to put down; we all need to feel acceptance. We all need to come to terms with our neighbours and ourselves. Some of us like myself can feel awkward in the company of mothers talking and discussing their children. I couldn’t have them and at those moments you can feel an emptiness, you don’t feel a complete woman, a grown up, a ……I don’t know how to explain it! I do know I need to put my suitcase down. I do know if you have lost someone you love, if you hurt or you don’t fit in, what ever your one is, you too have the right and need to put your suitcase down. For at the end of the day it’s all the same struggle, no one’s is less or more than the other. The fact that it’s yours and you feel it, makes it real and that makes it equal.

The House is expected to vote tomorrow on fair pay. Urge your elected leaders to support the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act and the Paycheck Fairness Act.

AMEN !! and…..group hug !! Have read Liz Smith everytime available to me now for over 10 years….. And Whoopi…..indeedy….am a fan !! So, I was also nurtured with the idea that being raised in America meant you can do ANYTHING !! If I had not been told that, who knows what would have happend to me. Instead, I have had a very fortuitous existence because I knew that !

Brilliant and incisive, both women! Great read, great site!

I work with mostly black “at risk” youth, aka, poor kids who dont have the best schools, houses full of people that maybe arent all related, gang shootings on the block, drugs, sex and more is being thrown at these kids from such a young age, and they feel like there is nothing else for them, how is it that 40 years ago when blacks were fighting for rights and being raised to believe anything was possible, And now in a time where it has finally been shown that yes, they can do ANYTHING, children across america are giving up on that anything and settling for nothing at all. Another opinion on this would really help me, I work hard with these kids in our commnity and often feel so many are slipping through.

I want to ask Whoopi a question about race because I don’t know if I am one. I was raised by an Italian family that was very racist, but I always prided myself in escaping being one myself, but now I am not so sure.

I have grown weary about the word being used everytime a negative happens to an African American. We have a black president, many famous people are black and others in business and politics. I am not saying everything is in balance, but I look at it like it is better. I try my best at times to understand the gangster mind, but just can’t. I was raised in a terrible neighborhood with an abusive father, yet I never turned to crime. 

Today something came up in the news that is really questioning my racist question. A couple who own a small business in the Chicago area have put up a website for people to pledge to ONLY use businesses run by African-Americans. I find this to be outragaous. What about the other small businesses. Are African-Americans trying to be equal or better? I really find that I am learning about racism in the wrong way. I go to places that have good customer service and a pleasant atmoshere. My favorite store is the 7-11 up my street and that is run by a Pakistan family. I watch black comediens bash white people, but if the other way was done it would be a call of racism. They would never make movies that Mel Brooks made or TV such as All in the Family. I hate all this PC stuff. A black man in a bar said the "N" word to me about himself and I told him that "IF I can’t use, neither can you" So please, I beg how am I to be in this world, when I hate being overly PC?

Thank You

Marianne

That was an excellent article, Liz. I just wish I was as level headed as Whoopi it always helps to listen to her perspective.

You know I may be naive but I have always looked at people as people. I never thought about the color of their skin..If someone was rude they were simply not a nice person. While growing up I rarely heard talk about other races. What is the deal? People ARE just people..we all put our clothes on the same way and use the toilet the same way..Now..on to the subject of how one can get ahead in America. I am 57 years old, just laid off and I am having difficulty findin employment. I am unable to get financial aid to finish my degree, yet a woman that murdered her little kids and people from another country can get a free education. Something wrong with this picture?! I began my degree late in life..about two years ago and worked 10 hours daily going to my office at 0330am and attending class after work. I had to pay for tuition and books out of my pocket…I worked for an airline..I didn’t make that much money. So…when does everyone get the same benefits? I have to be a criminal? Land of opportunity for certain people and not for others? I am so frustrated!

Dear Whoopi, I have always been a fan of your work. And a fan of yours. I’m 64, and raised 3 daughters and now 7 grandchildren. It was rough at times, I was on my own, but never felt poor. Lived in rought neighborhoods at times, the girls were not always in schools I was thrilled with, but we all survived. One of the great lessons I learned from my mother and passed on to my three girls was they were never to think anyone was better than them, and they were no better than anyone else. Simple words, hard to live up to. Now they are all grown, and 3 of grands have black fathers, 4 have an Irish dad, and what a great familt we all are. I have a niece who married an Indian man, they have 2 sons. Our kids birthday parties are terrific. My sister in law caught me off guard at one of the parties, looking all misty eyed, and said you really love all this don’t you? Whoopi, I am not ric, or famous, and I could not be happier. My daughters are hard working women, good mothers and wives, my son in laws are good dads, and good men.  My grands, ranging from 4 to 16 are normal kids. And my daughters have taught them all, no one is better than you, and you are no better than anyone else. We are not perfect, we fall, we get up. We argue, and then call each other the next day. We are one big messy family, and very opinionated. And very willing to share our thoughts. As for the election, nothing has made me happier. There are still Americans out there that will never join the 21st Century. I feel sorry for them and their kids, the world and its diversities is the greatest free gift we have. So keep being Whoopi and showing those people that being different is nothing to fear, nothing threatening. A sense of humor goes further than any hate filled speech anyday. I love the View, and no offense to anyone, but I look forward to you and Joy every day.Common sense is rarily heard outloud anymore, and I miss it, along with common courtesy. Thanks again for just being.