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On Whoopi Goldberg

 Several months ago, a student at Regis High School wrote an important piece for the NYTimes. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/24/nyregion/regis-catholic-school-racism.html


The student's parents emigrated to America from Jamaica. The student, in his Times piece, describes being at Regis, a prestigious high school, and describes noting the casual racism of several white classmates.

In one case, a white student had been "caught" in making a stupid remark, and he was immediately expelled.

The expulsion must have felt satisfying to administrators: swift action! But students scratched their heads. Had the expulsion taught anything--to anyone? Was it possible the kid who made the dumb remark would just wander into a new school, enraged and confused, eager to double-down on his racism?

Nevertheless, the Times writer eventually found himself reporting a *new* racist remark to a teacher. And he felt relieved. That's because Regis didn't choose to respond with something sloppy and expedient. Instead, Regis had several restorative-justice sessions -- where the Times writer could explain what he was feeling, where the other kid, the ignorant kid, could listen and learn. Teachers checked on the Times writer everyday. The ignorant kid made a thoughtful apology--and a bridge was repaired.

I thought of all this in the context of the Whoopi Goldberg mess. Whoopi made an ignorant comment--and it was startling that someone with Whoopi's intelligence and worldliness could have such a massive misunderstanding about the Holocaust. Whoopi then did what many people can't or won't do: She said, "I made a really stupid remark, and I was wrong. I'm sorry. I stand corrected."

Whoopi's employers then suspended Whoopi for two weeks.

I think this is disappointing -- because there was an opportunity for restorative justice. There could have been daily awkward talks on "The View"; Whoopi Goldberg could have wrestled with her embarrassment, and many viewers who *still* have the ignorant view that Whoopi has now rejected....could have started some important steps toward self-examination.

All this was lost by the "suspension." I think, if you have some ignorant ideas about the world, and you review the recent history of "The View," the "lesson" you get is this: "Look at those hypersensitive liberals! Being ridiculous yet again! This is why it's best just to stay in your house and make quietly foolish remarks to your family and friends!"

So, I'm sad for the country, for now. I'm glad Regis High School is doing some good work.
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