The n-word has a long and ugly history in the United States, so it came as no surprise that it would be a topic of discussion on ABC's "The View." The true head-turner came in the form of co-host Whoopi Goldberg and guest, CNN anchor Don Lemon, arguing in favor of the racial epithet being said in full on air. "I hate saying 'the n-word,'" Lemon said. "I think it takes the value out of what that word really means. Especially when we're reporting it." CNN made headlines this week when correspondent Susan Candiotti quoted the word during a report on three African American men who were shot to death in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Candiotti quoted a post from the shooting suspect's Facebook page, which included the words "f—ing [n-word]."
While Lemon added that he hates the usage of the word in music and when it's used for misogynistic purposes, Whoopi echoed his sentiments on Tuesday's episode. Goldberg said that using the term "n-word" makes the word sound "cute." Co-host Barbara Walters, who has clashed with her colleagues over the word in the past, even agreed with Goldberg's response, saying, "If I were quoting somebody else, and it's intrinsic to what the person was saying, then you have to be able to say it."
