Whoopi Goldberg & ‘The View’ Worry How Race Influences Will Smith Oscar Slap Discussion

Actress Whoopi Goldberg and the rest of “The View” panel were in another hot discussion about the infamous Oscar slap.

During the first two discussions, Whoopi talked extensively about the consequences that Will Smith might face as a result of his actions. During today’s talk, the panel focused on race and how that factors into the public debate.

On the show, Whoopi ventured into the discussion surrounding the stereotype that Black men are violent and how that might shape the discourse around the incident.

“People keep saying, ‘Oh, they’re going to think of Black people the wrong way,’” Whoopi said. “Well, let me tell you, they should be looking at us and saying, ‘Oh, ok [Rock] didn’t indulge.’ There is nothing wrong with what [Rock] did so there’s no reason for anybody to have any issue with Black people. You have an issue with Will Smith and what he did. He doesn’t represent every Black person on the planet.”

Sunny Hostin said that she has heard friends say that they are worried the incident “plays into the narrative that Black people are inherently violent and Black men, in particular, are dangerous and scary and ‘if Will Smith behaves like that then oh my goodness that’s what Black people are.’”

“I reject that, I reject that,” she continued. “What Will Smith did was immature and it was childish and it was violent but that was on Will Smith and no one else.”

Yesterday, Sunny Hostin said that public discourse should put more emphasis on Chris Rock being the victim instead of the perpetrator. She also commented on a podcast interview that has been going viral online, where Chris Rock described being bullied ever since he was a child.

“My understanding from Chris Rock’s brother Tony Rock is that Will has not approached Chris and his family,” she said, adding that the situation “requires some sort of phone call” instead of the public Instagram apology Will Smith made on Monday night. (Tony Rock’s statements can be found here.)

“I think when everybody stops looking that may happen,” Goldberg replied. “There’s just too much heat.”

Goldberg was also frustrated that people seemed surprised that Chris Rock didn’t hit Will Smith back.

“I want to ask people, Why do you think [Rock] would have indulged in a brawl on a stage in front of three billion people? Why wouldn’t he be the adult?” she asked.

“Do not assume that someone is going to make the wrong move because someone else did,” she later added. “I don’t want to hear it anymore. Because why wouldn’t [Rock] do the right thing? Why assume? Is it an issue you have with what people look like or what you think they are?”

Fans of “The View” seemed surprised to hear Whoopi and Sunny supporting Chris Rock instead of Will Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.

“OK then maybe Chris Rock should have thought about that before he talked about Jada's head that's kind of bullying,” one user commented.

“Wow !!! Whoopi Goldberg and Sunny Hoston are really being supportive to Chris Rock by saying that Chris did nothing wrong,” another user wrote. “And yet Chris Rock started all of this. He has been Taunting Jada on and off the camera. Shame on these 2 View hosts. 2 wrongs here. Jada's the only victim !!”

“They're completely disregarding the fact that Jada was the original victim. I like Chris Rock but he made a mistake,” another agreed. “Now all the sudden they're turning him into a hero. Jada Pinkett is being s--- shamed, body image shamed and victim blamed.”

“I don't think Chris meant to hurt Jada but she deserves an explanation as well as everyone else with her condition,” another wrote. “I admire Chris' reaction but also think Will was triggered, and regrets it. Jada has shown the most grace of everyone.”

Fans can watch the full segment of “The View” discussion below.