31 January 2023 , 13:28
1239
0
Whoopi Goldberg urged fans not to label her "a racist" as she discussed the tragic death of Tyre Nichols on The View.
The 67-year-old actress took a sombre tone as she talked about the "brutality" of the body-worn camera footage which shows five police officers beating the 29-year-old to death.
In the shocking footage, Tyre can be heard repeatedly calling for his mum as the officers repeatedly punch, kick and hit him with a baton.
Whoopi questioned what it will take to pass police reforms, before suggesting white people will also get beaten up before someone makes a change.
"I ask this question way too many times at this table, but you know, when will the brutality finally lead to some police reform from the ground up?
The View's Whoopi Goldberg mocks viewers by fake crying and yelling 'boo hoo'
Whoopi spoke passionately about police reforms (ABC)"Because clearly, it doesn't matter if it's a white policeman or a black policeman, it is a problem in the police and the policing itself," Whoopi said on The View.
She added: "Seems things don't seem to make sense to people unless it's somebody they can feel or they can recognise, but how many times do we have to… do we need to see white people also get beaten up before anyone will do anything?"
Whoopi then looked directly into the camera and said: "I'm not suggesting that, so don't write us and tell me, you know, what a racist I am.
She questioned what it will take for change to come about (AFP via Getty Images)"I'm just asking, is that what people have to see in order to wake up and realise this affects us all?"
Whoopi's co-star Sunny Hostin admitted she had made the decision not to watch the horrific video.
She said: "I haven't been able to bring myself to watch the video because I've seen so many of them."
Holding back tears, Sunny added: "As the mother of a black son who's six foot two and 20 years old, my worst nightmare is probably what is on that video."
She continued: "There are studies that show Black people continuously watch these videos suffer from PTSD because of what's called 'linked fate,' because we see our loved ones in the video.
"But I think there are people who need to see the video, those people who can decide they're not gonna watch it because they know that's not gonna happen to their kid.
"Those people need to watch it to get real police reform, which would include personal liability for police officers."
The View's Whoopi Goldberg demands viewers stop 'ruining the fun and jokes'