Addressing Goldberg, Shepherd noted, “I heard you say it, and it was fine. You said it a different way.” Turning to Walters, Shepherd continued, “When I heard you say it, I didn’t like the way you said it. I know, it’s a semantics thing. There’s something that goes through my body.”
Walters, seeking clarification, questioned, “So, what you’re saying is it’s because I’m white that I shouldn’t use the word. So, no white person should use that word?” She explained that she was merely repeating what was written on a rock, reportedly placed at the entrance of the controversial camp.
Returning to the current episode, Sunny Hostin offered her perspective on the word’s usage. She acknowledged that some individuals within the African American community believe in reclaiming the word, but she personally held the view that it should not be used by anyone due to its racial slur status. She added a lighthearted remark, suggesting that the teacher in question should have focused on teaching mathematics instead.
Goldberg further expanded on the topic of who can and cannot use the word. She shared, “Whenever people who are not Black say this to me, ‘Why can’t I say it?’ I always say, ‘Go ahead. You know, I might not punch you out, but somebody else might.'” She emphasized the importance of understanding the potential consequences and encouraged people to be mindful of their choices in language.
