Whoopi Goldberg Suspended

Host of “The View” under fire after comments about the Holocaust

During the Jan. 31 episode of “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg made comments about the Holocaust that many people found offensive. She said the Holocaust was about, “man’s inhumanity to man” and “not about race.” Goldberg also said “This is white people doing it to white people, so y’all going to fight amongst yourselves.”

The President of ABC, Kim Godwin, released a statement that read: “While Whoopi has apologized, I’ve asked her to take time to reflect and learn about the impact of her comments. The entire ABC News organization stands in solidarity with our Jewish colleagues, friends, family and communities.”

The internet was set ablaze after the clip of Goldberg’s comments went viral, with both hashtags #WhoopiGoldberg and #BoycottTheView trending on Twitter. While many users were quick to condemn Goldberg’s comments, others took her side by calling out ABC for never suspending Meghan McCain, despite her many controversial comments.

Here’s what you can do:

These controversial comments come at a time when issues around anti-semitism are making news headlines. Just last week, a graphic novel about the Holocaust was banned in a Tennessee school district.

As journalists, it’s important to not sensationalize news that covers sensitive topics like the Holocaust, and focus on reporting the facts.

While reporting on issues about antisemitism and the Holocaust, make sure you understand what it means to be Jewish- both ethnically and religiously. The Conscious Style Guide has a guide for journalists about understanding the difference between race and ethnicity, specifically within the Jewish community. The Diversity Style Guide has a thorough entry about the Holocaust as well, including when to capitalize it.

Make sure to be sensitive to the history present here. Your job is to inform the public, not sensationalize.

Shadow Spotted

Groundhog Punxsutawney Phil predicts six more weeks of Winter

On Wednesday morning, the famous groundhog saw his shadow and determined that six more weeks of winter lie ahead. The ceremony was held in person this year, following 2021’s virtual ceremony.

Thousands gathered to view the ceremony, which took place in Punxsutawney in western Pennsylvania. Others chose to stream the event virtually.

The tradition started all the way back in 1887 and has continued since.

Here’s what you can do:

Traditions are important. They bring people together, build friendships, and help us bond on common ground.

The pandemic has changed many ways we celebrate annual traditions like Groundhog Day. While many have moved back to in-person celebrations, others continue to find ways to celebrate virtually.

Talk to fellow students in your newsroom. Have they started to attend in person celebrations? Do they feel safe reporting on events where many people are gathered? What precautions are they taking with interviews and reporting while COVID-19 continues to make its presence known?

The World Economic Forum released an article in which journalists from around the world discussed their experiences reporting in a pandemic. Read and find out how you can still report effectively without sacrificing the quality of the news.

Commanding a change

The Washington Football Team is now the Washington Commanders.

The Washington Football Team, formerly the Washington Redskins, have changed their name to the Washington Commanders. The change comes after decades of criticism for the offensive mascot and namesake,

Washington is the latest of NFL teams to drop their name linked to Native Americans, but has been one of the most contentious in the nation.

The NFL isn’t the only place where teams have taken on cultural appropriating names, high schools across the country have as well.

This article from Five Thirty-Eight, shows how many schools are using Native culture as their mascots and how it’s harmful.

Here’s what you can do:

Is your school included in the list of schools who have an offensive mascot? If so, how does your community feel about it and is there any movement to change it?

Some schools, such as Arapahoe High School in suburban Denver, worked with the Arapahoe people to come up with depictions and traditions that would not disrespect the heritage of the Arapahoe.

You want to make sure you represent Native Americans when reporting on the issue, their voice needs to be heard in this conversation.

This continues to be a contentious issue, but educating yourself and your newsroom on the harm offensive mascots create can help you identify where in your state it occurs, and bring forward investigative questions.

Whether it be tradition or laws, find out why these schools keep their mascot.