"The View", Whoopie, and West Virginia
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
United States
May 14, 2008 11:51pm CST
Whoopi has been one of my favorite people for as long as I can remember. I still have t-shirts and sweat shirts from way back when she, Billy Crystal, and Robin Williams used to host Comic Relief. She has always championed good causes. She has spoken out for women, against abuse, for racial equality, and so much more.
Yesterday when I turned on The View I was taken aback about her leading Hot Topic. Tuesday was the Primary in my beautiful state of West Virginia. That was the Hot Topic. She showed a West Virginia woman who was thankfully not the stereotypical West Virginian. She was not standing in front of an old siver trailer with a wooden added on room. She was not wearing a Budweiser or a Marlboro shirt. She did have all of her teeth. She was not spitting. The woman actually looked like Ms. Normal from any state. That is until the interviewer asked her who she was going to vote for and she said Clinton. When asked if Clinton did not win the Primary would she vote for Obaba, she said, "No, I could never trust anyone who is a Muslim."
Okay, this was a truly bad response. But, this is not what ALL OF THE PEOPLE of the state of West Virginia believes. I felt as though The View had made a
giant generalization of West Virginians. After all votes were tallied and Clinton won, West Virginia again became the Hot Topic again today.
I am writing this to let you know that we are not all racist. I am sure we have our share of racist people here, but what state doesn't? I am sure we have our share of uninformed people here, but what state doesn't? Please, if you are an avid "The View" watcher, as am I, please don't believe all that you have heard over the past couple of days. Give some of the people of our state credit for being clear and free thinkers. Please also know that in the house that I live in (which is written about in WV History books), is one of the original doors that was a passage way for the Underground Railway. There are days that I sometimes go to the basement just to put my hands and body against the door and feel the energy of those that passed through that door and touched it with their grateful hands. West Virginians played a great part in helping to abolish slavery. If I sound proud of this state it is because I am.
Thank you so much for listening to me rant. Blessed Be~Donna
21 people like this
20 responses
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
25 Aug 16
I suggested your post to some of my followers and I hope that many will read it and respond in a positive way.
7 people like this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
25 Aug 16
@IreneVincent I wish that freedom of religion or freedom of non-religion existed in all the earth. I wish that we would all love and respect one another in spite of our differences.
5 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
25 Aug 16
@davidalicea100 There are people of many different religions who live in the USA. We have the freedom to practice whatever religion we want. I HOPE that never changes.
7 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
16 May 08
Donna i am sure that WV is just like any other state...All kinds of people and all have all kinds of opinions..I have never really heard ,and if i did hear did not pay attention to any bad things about Virginia...I live in Texas,we have people with no teeth,racist and all kinds of rednecks,i think all places has a little of both..I would not think bad of any State...All states are made up of all kinds of people...I have visited Virginia and i thought it was a beautiful state...I think some people just like to put down other sates because they don't happen to live there..I am happy that you are proud of your state and rightly so....God Bless
4 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
21 May 08
Slickcut, I had the opportunity to visit Texas for a few weeks. It is totally beautiful (although the only armadillos I ever got to see where on the roadside and I wonder if there are any of them that are alive). After seeing that state, I have always said that if I had to choose between Texas and West Virginia I would be hard pressed to do so. You know I am thinking of you daily. ~Donna
2 people like this
@slickcut (8141)
• United States
21 May 08
Oh we have armidillio's i have one that comes on my porch every night to eat the cats food...I also feed them all my left overs,i put it out at night and they devour it...I can tell you are thinking of me ,i feel your vibes..lol..Well i cannot imagine being anywhere but Texas ,but i supposs it is because i have been here forever...Its just home to me...Oh and we also have some possum visits too...Ellen
3 people like this
@Angelwhispers (8978)
• United States
16 May 08
Donna, I can relate to every word you said here. I live in Tennessee, I also bear the brunt of southern humor from my northern relatives. I do like to watch the view, although I do not agree with everything that is said. That is the charm of the program is it not, the debate and differing view points. I have not seen the show this week. So I missed what you are talking about. What surprises me is that they aired what this woman said on TV, why would they do it? Debate is one thing... but blatant racism is quite another.
In my dealing with the general public here in my state, I see this type of attitude even from people that will swear they have not got a racist bone in their body. Yet will Pop off a statement such as this with out a blink of an eye. But I absolutely do not understand why it is played out on television just to incite more anger, and unjust stereotypes.
3 people like this
@kitchenwitchoftupper (2290)
• United States
21 May 08
Is it not horrible that this happens. It does seem to just keep the pot stirred. Maybe one day, Angle, maybe one day~~~~~D
3 people like this
@davidalicea100 (3495)
• Merced, California
25 Aug 16
@IreneVincent Yes very true not all muslims are bad people
3 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
25 Aug 16
@davidalicea100 There are good and bad people in all religions, unfortunately. The religion isn't what makes people do what they do, generally speaking. It's a complicated world.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
25 Aug 16
I have read a lot about the Muslim religion. It is good to know what others believe, don't you think?
4 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
25 Aug 16
I was born and raised in West Virginia. I went to school with "colored" children in elementary school in the 1940s. My parents taught me to NEVER be prejudiced against any person and I live by that to this day.
West Virginia became a state over the issue of slavery, refusing to secede. I KNOW that most people in West Virginia are basically the LEAST prejudiced of any other state. I live in Virginia now and see quite a difference in the general views of people who live here.
West Virginians are USUALLY depicted as "HICKS" who are uneducated and uninformed. It's sad but true. I"ve heard it all my life. I think the media sometimes searches out persons who give the story the "twist" they want to present on their newscast.
As you mentioned, West Virginia was very instrumental in abolishing slavery.
3 people like this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
25 Aug 16
I don't like or watch "The View" either. It's too controversial. I don't like hearing anyone argue over points of view that are personal. I have my views, you have yours and we are all equally entitled to having our own views. Airing them on TV to the point of screaming at each other is ridiculous.
2 people like this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
28 Aug 16
Sometimes shows paint a certain picture. Just like Fox news. They always paint a certain picture that makes everyone else that they don't like look bad. TV is fun but not when it is altered. Of course not everyone in Virginia is prejudice. Or hateful. We have those people right here in NYC. The uninformed. You're right, they live in every states of this country. But the winners always prevail. As I hope it will this election.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
29 Aug 16
@IreneVincent That is what is wrong with america today. It seems the one percenters want it all and do not care about the rest of us. We all should have the same opportunity as the rich people do. I know we have come a long way here, but there is a lot more to go. We still have not learned our lesson as humans. Hopefully one day that will happen. I know I will not be here to see it.
1 person likes this
@IreneVincent (15962)
• United States
29 Aug 16
Prejudice is never a good thing. All people are equal. There are people in every nationality and culture who are educated or perhaps uneducated. Some have had the opportunity to go to college and some have learned many good lessons from life experiences.
My oldest brother is a college-educated electrical engineer. My middle brother is a Physician's
Assistant. I am very well mostly self-educated, having some college experience..
Abraham Lincoln was self-educated and many other persons who did not have the opportunity to go to college have skills that are worth more than a degree on a piece of paper.
Even those who have neither an education or much life experience are valuable. Not one person on this earth should be looked down upon by another person. And not one person should devalue the life of another person. Love and kindness should be extended to all persons. And if that were the rule that all persons lived by, this world would not be what it is today. Everyone could live in peace and everyone could be happy to be alive.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (45002)
• Preston, England
26 Aug 16
her view on Obama seems rather ill-advised
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
29 Aug 16
I am offended by the view every time I accidentally catch a minute of it. I like Whoopie as a comedienne but her politics are offensive and racist. I guess that would shock her to hear that but listen to her for 5 minutes and it is all out there.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (73443)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
28 Aug 16
@kitchenwitchofupper I think by now most everyone is pretty confused and has no idea who to vote for and especially who they can trist/
1 person likes this
@Katlynn (366)
• United States
25 Aug 16
West Virginia seems to get a bad reputation, but the stereotypical views certainly do not include everyone, probably very few.
I am from West Virginia and went to school with classmates who became doctors, a radiologist, an engineer and many others in reputable careers. The flood back in June that damaged so many homes and took lives should be an example of how West Virginians stand proud and come together to help each other.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (85522)
• United States
26 Aug 16
The media is so manipulative. I live in Oklahoma, which is part of Tornado Alley. Every time a tornado hits they find someone in a trailer park in a house dress, with curlers in their hair who doesn't have teeth and cannot speak clearly at all. I remember once they put her name in the corner of the TV as "Big Mama". They seriously represented my state by using the most stereotypical person they could find.
While my example didn't include racism, I'm just conveying I get it. I've seen it here so many times I am quick to blow off segments like you mention they talked about on the View. I know those people don't represent everyone in these states. It's a shame the media likes to stir up trouble whenever they can, just to have something to use to make their agenda clear.
1 person likes this
@cmoneyspinner (9221)
• Austin, Texas
25 Aug 16
It's nice that you think enough of the myLot members that you feel free to express yourself.
I'm not a fan of “The View” so I don't watch it often.
Also, I know you said you like Whoopie, but I'm not really a fan of hers either.
As for folks from West Virginia? Those pieces of history you mentioned are time-honored events and make most folks who say they're proud to be an American, really really proud to be American.
All that being said, stereotyping others is woven into the fabric of the USA.
Nobody in any state can escape the “stereotyping paint brush”. Not the dumb California blond girls. Not the rude New Yorkers who have all ties to the Mafia. Not the ignorant folks all being from any part of the South – Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, etc., … on and on and on.
I love America. But you know it's true!
It's a good thing the comedians have freedom of speech and they can make jokes about it to show US how silly we are.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (325815)
• Rockingham, Australia
26 Aug 16
Thanks to @IreneVincent for suggesting your post. It is a shame that people might believe that a single person represents the views of all of your state but of course they do. The US elections are being watched with interest in many countries.
1 person likes this
@Chellezhere (5363)
• United States
18 Sep 16
Individually, I used to like Whoopie Goldberg and Rosie O'Donnell, but something has happened to them in recent years that really leaves a bad taste in my mouth. So, I am vehemently opposed to "The View" because of its (majority) bias and intolerance.
