Whoopi Goldberg | 11/05/2008 9:00 am

Whoopi Goldberg: We Have Finally Become Part of the Fabric of the United States of America

A moment about history.

Tonight as I watched the numbers come in, I was cautiously optimistic that there would be a big change — but I wasn’t fully convinced. And then I called my mom, and the numbers kept changing and moving forward, and I said to her, “Ma, did you ever in your life think you would see this day?” And she said emphatically, “No. I never thought I’d live to see this day.” And it surprised me because my mom is the most optimistic person that I know and it never occurred to me that this was something she was hoping for. Not just because it was a black candidate, but because it meant that anything was again possible in the United States of America.

I’m being black about his, I’m celebrating in my heart and I have screamed out of my window. I realized that for probably the first time in my life, in thinking about myself as an American, it occurred to me that this is really our arrival in the country that said everything was possible. We have finally become part of the fabric of the United States of America. This is just strictly speaking as a black person. It would be very difficult not to talk about the thrill of that part of it because 160 years have gone by and we have finally come to the place where we are ready for leaders and ready to look at leaders as men and women and perhaps not by their color. But it is the first time it has happened so folks should not be surprised that black folks are really, really happy about this.

On John McCain — whose speech was so beautiful, so brilliant, and so heartfelt, and so American. I wish that he had been that person throughout this campaign because that’s the John McCain that I respect and have always respected and had great joy about. I was thrilled at the way he handled himself but moreover how he handled the crowd who began to boo, and he said, “No, that’s not what it is. Tomorrow I wake up and I am in the service of my country.” It is an amazing and beautiful concession speech. Something we have not heard for such a long time.

The negativity that surrounded this campaign was extraordinary. But I do believe that somehow this young man, Barack Obama, is going to reach his arms out to the nation and embrace us as one, as the United States of America, the truly beautiful gem in the world, the great nation that we are. And he, I think, for now at least in this moment, has made us a better country, has made us a better people. And somehow the youth of America got it. And they dropped all their peripheral stuff that we always kvetch about them doing. They dropped all the BS and got out there and made their voices heard. And people now recognize that the youth of America is a force to be reckoned with. And when you look at these shining faces that look up and look at each other as not black or white or any of these things but as Americans, it is a sigh of a relief that I can’t remember having in such a long time. Whether you are a republican or a democrat or an independent tonight, I don’t think there was anyone in the country who didn’t realize that something magnificent happened. God bless us all, God bless America, the America that can be.

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I WAS AN AVID VIEWER OF “THE VIEW”, AND I ENJOYED THE WOWOWOW SITE, BUT NO LONGER, I ONLY WATCHED A FEW MINUTES OF THE SHOW THIS MORNING WHEN YOU, WHOOPIE, BEGAN SPEWING FORTH THE THINGS THAT HAVE BECOME FAMILIAR WITH ‘BLACK PEOPLE’ GOD BLESS YOUR MOTHER AND THE FACT THAT ‘SHE LIVED TO SEE A BLACK MAN BECOME PRESIDENT’. YEA FOR YOU. I WILL NO LONGER BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOU AND WILL BOYCOTT YOU. YOU GREATLY DISSAPOINT ME.

By Sherry Brock on 11/05/2008 1:16 pm

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Sherry: As a United States American, today I celebrate your right to choose an action that you decide best serves you. I celebrate your right to voice that choice. For my fellow Wow community participants: Yesterday when I left the library to go await word, playing on the radio was “Imagine.” I burst out crying. Einstein was right. Imagination is more important. I type again today, what I submitted yesterday: DAMN! I am glad to be alive!

By iris odonata on 11/05/2008 1:32 pm

Iris….It is a GREAT day to be alive. A day of celebration around the world. Tremendously exciting that Americans reclaimed their country from the NeoCons. We’ve refuted what went before and vindicated the American Dream. The energy is palable.

By Wine Warrior on 11/05/2008 3:07 pm

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By Sherry Brock on 11/05/2008 2:16 pm BECOME FAMILIAR WITH ‘BLACK PEOPLE’ GOD BLESS YOUR MOTHER AND THE FACT THAT ‘SHE LIVED TO SEE A BLACK MAN BECOME PRESIDENT’. YEA FOR YOU. I WILL NO LONGER BE AN ADVOCATE FOR YOU AND WILL BOYCOTT YOU. YOU GREATLY DISSAPOINT ME. Why are you dissapointed in Whoopi? Why don’t you understand that blacks were hopeful but dared to believe that Obama would be elected.? So far you are the lone negative poster on this site but I have heard other expression of confusion on why this was historic. I think there in lies the answer. It feels good for our country- we have work to do and look forward to better times. Exciting times.

By starry Nite on 11/05/2008 3:11 pm

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Sherrie, I’m confused. Why are you disapointed in Whoopie?

By Kathrine Gluvna on 11/05/2008 3:22 pm

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Sherry (this will be a long post)- I understand what you mean. To be blunt, I am disappointed in alot of women in general. I think we have a long way to go and that was evident watching the View for example. It was like a hammer or a knife hitting my heart and my mind. When I saw the shows such as the View, listening to the radio, reading 100’s and 100’s of posts by women trying to rip apart BOTH the spirit of both Gov. Sarah Palin and Sen. Hillary Clinton. I was shocked by Gloria Steinem a woman who I looked up when I was a little girl. I’ve been disappinted by NOW because it seems that it is not an organization for women only for a certain type of political party. Very strange. You know what I found out this year if you believe in pro-life then you are anti-women. You are cast away as a traitor and that you are evil. I think that is rather sad. You are not considered part of the sisterhood or a feminist if you are not a liberal democrat. There were posts from women who NEVER been in the political field commented that both Palin and Clinton aren’t behaving like women. You know I have friends who are cops, doctors, engineers, government employees, soldiers etc and they also notice “the type of conduct” by fellow women. Guess what like Palin and Clinton they are just doing their jobs! Does it matter what preference of clothes they wear be it pants or skirts? So Gov. Palin is pretty so that disqualifies and discredits the fact that she was a Mayor, Governor and former VP candidate? So Sen. Clinton is an older woman so that disqualifies and discredits the fact that she was a Senator and possible Presidential candidate for the Democratic Party? We had two female candidates for 2008 and instead of cheering and supporting. What did the majority of women do? And what did little girls notice (guess what they did)? I had to talk to a crying 9 year old girl on the street yesterday after her mom could not calm her down. The bottem line was about the election process. I was very surprise hearing it from a 9 year old girl. I gave her a hug (after asking her mom if it was okay) and the best words/truth I can come up with is this “There will be a time in your life that you will be tested by others and even yourself. It won’t be like a math test-it will be something bigger. And you know-you may get hated by it-people may call you names etc…but I can tell you that what I see is a very strong spirit in you. And sometimes you have to do what you have to do.” The reason why she was crying is because a couple of kids (including girls by the way) drew a picture of a hunged woman that looked like Palin. Used their pencils to punch holes in it. Hate destroys doesn’t it? Seriously, think about this. Think about the big picture and the future of your daughters. Women are part of society and I am so damn tired of some women (not all) blaming all their problems on men. The negative conduct and reactions by some WOMEN was a modernize withhunt from Salem. Can we agree that we can disagree however still respect ourselves and fellow women? The saddest comment I got was a friend who told me “that when you reach the level of success it will be women who will hate you the most. You are pretty, you are hispanic but you look white, you are not black, you are petite and athletic, you are pro-life, you worked hard on everything and never once asked for a handout. Gay men will love you and most men will respect you. Most women won’t.” I really pray that you all will never get that comment said to you or to your daughters. I may get slam for posting this but you know what do I have to lose by it really. I still respect women even those who may not respect themselves or others. I think the name for it is “love”. Thank you.

By T P on 11/06/2008 2:16 pm

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Whoopi—I know I can’t quite understand how you and other blacks feel right now, but like so many others, tears fell down my cheeks when it was announced that Obama was over 270 and the crowd in Grant Park and everywhere went wild. I didn’t expect to cry, but I felt a joy and relief, even my cynical self said -A new day is dawning. Things will be hard, and I expect many bumps and some wrong turns, but I can’t shake the belief that we are going in the right direction. And like you, I loved McCain’s speech. I hope he stays engaged and is integral to the work of the next Congress and administration. **most moving quote of the night to me came from Donna Brazile who said that the steps of the Capitol were laid by her slave ancestors. Nearly 200 years later, a black man is going to climb those stairs, raise his hand and take the oath of office to be the president of all of us.

By Willow K on 11/05/2008 1:33 pm

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Something magnificent certainly did happen! And we made it happen. But making magnificent things happen cannot end with one election. There is so much to do. He will need all our help. And by the way, I was also happy to see an Irish American president elected, as Barack is part African, part Irish, part I don’t know what else. What this feels like to me is the first truly international president, not only in lineage, but in outlook and experience. Maybe the Federation was not just an idea in Star Trek.

By Elizabeth Bennett on 11/05/2008 1:40 pm

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Elizabeth, I too was hoping our country would embrace the philosophy of Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek. Way to go~~!!! You’ve got the same thoughts about this event as I did~! Go America!!!!

By Murphy Mac on 11/05/2008 3:04 pm

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Well we all now have communicators [cell phones], so the Federation could not be far behind! Some are looking at this election as though it is about the past. It is so much more about the future!

By Elizabeth Bennett on 11/05/2008 4:15 pm

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Elizabeth, To quote Star Trek, Live Long and Prosper, seems more possible today.

By g c on 11/05/2008 8:36 pm

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This is a thrilling moment for America to have a president of such great character, combining humility, grace and cool, along with extraordinary intelligence and vision. I am thrilled that my daughter’s generation has a young president to look up to and admire, and I am thrilled that the so-called “Bradley effect” was ignored. Several months ago, after Obama won the nomination, one of my fellow Democrats mused that Obama was the “weak link” on the Democratic ticket. I was surprised by that comment but upon further reflection I conclude that perhaps she, too, had the “Bradley effect” on her mind, and feared that whites would be reluctant to vote for him solely because of the color of his skin. On November 4, 2008, voters were able to look beyond color and make the informed choice. Obama is, after all, half black and half white, but my vote, and countless others, went for the whole person, and racial considerations played no part in the choice. We have overcome. This does not mean that racism does not exist in America, but the election of Obama is a bold step forward.

By lawrie taylor on 11/05/2008 1:41 pm

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Wow Whoopie! At least you admit to voting on race, which isn’t that racist itself? Also, I did not know that you were 50% white, 43% arab and 7% black? Well, now I know! Too bad Alan Keys wasn’t running, he happens to be all black! Since you are voting on race and not issues, he would have been a great President!

By Common Sense on 11/05/2008 1:43 pm

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I’ve been posting on this board since the day it started I think. and i do not believe in all of that time i’ve ever engaged in some of the negativity that has gone on occassionally. But you know what? Today I’m not feeling “above it”. You’re an idiot. shut up and move on.

By Chrome Toe on 11/05/2008 2:05 pm