I have to disagree that her "suspension is rediculous." I love Whoopi and deeply respect her. I don’t even watch The View when she’s not at the table. And, I believe her honest sincerity in her apology on her misstatments. I truly believe she never intended any antisemitic sentiments. I believe she genuinely learned and accepted her error and that there was no intent whatsoever in her to cast doubt on the roots of the horrors of nazi antisemitism. However, I also believe in consequences. I understand ABC’s need to appear to publicly hold accountable their leading talent on the show. I do wish ABC had been more creative in dealing with this; for example, a series of educating episodes of the shoe, hosting qualified and respected scholarship on the history and topics. But, I don’t believe this was an action taken because she is a Black woman; I believe it is because she is the progressive icon anchor of the show. She spoke that malinformation, and admits it was in error on her part. Still, hers is the massive platform of a cultural icon; as someone with such a grand reach, it is always incumbent upon her to be more factually informed on any themes of which she commentates.

In this instance, she spoke an error that will be all to easily turned into a tool for yet more antisemitic hate and, specifically anti-Jewish hate, from those willing to use any hint of support for their position by any big-name progressive. Such a statement from a progressive icon is a gift to anti-Jew bigots.

Whoopi hasn't been cancelled. Her freedom of speech has not been denied. She hasn't been abandoned by her platform or even ABC. She has been given a an unimaginative but necessary consequence of her speech, for which she should have already been better educatd and for which she bears sole responsibility. She is being held to the higher standard of progressive inclusivity and sensitivity to which we should all aspire. After all, if we're not better than the alternative, then we are the same and there is no alternative.