Iranian dissidents and human rights advocates have strongly condemned Whoopi Goldberg’s recent comments comparing the experiences of black Americans to life under Iran’s strict theocratic regime.
The remarks, made during a tense debate on ABC’s “The View,” sparked immediate backlash from members of the Iranian diaspora, who said Goldberg’s comparison disregards the harsh realities endured daily by millions living under the Islamic Republic.
The controversy unfolded during a discussion between Goldberg and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin.
Griffin detailed Iran’s widespread human rights abuses, including executions of LGBT individuals and imprisonment of women for violating dress codes enforced by the regime’s morality police.
She emphasized that life in Iran, with its strict theocratic controls, is fundamentally different from life in the U.S.
“In the year 2025 in the United States, it is nothing like if I step foot wearing this outfit into Iran right now,” Griffin said.
Goldberg responded firmly, asserting, “It is the same,” and later added, “Not if you’re Black,” drawing a parallel between systemic racism in America and the risks faced by Iranians under authoritarian rule.
The remarks prompted swift criticism from Iranian-Americans familiar with the regime’s brutality.
Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a plastic surgeon who fled Iran after her family was targeted by government authorities, described Goldberg’s comparison as “deeply misguided” and “offensive.”
Nazarian told Fox News Digital that in Iran, citizens risk imprisonment, torture or execution for peaceful protests or expressing dissenting opinions.
“The government controls nearly every aspect of life,” Nazarian said. “Equating that to the racial issues in America diminishes the dangers Iranians face daily.”
The Islamic Republic has been gripped by sustained unrest since the death of Mahsa Amini, a Kurdish woman who died in custody after being detained for allegedly violating Iran’s hijab laws.
Nationwide protests erupted demanding justice and reforms, but the government responded with violent crackdowns, according to the outlet.
Iranian-American journalist Lisa Daftari also criticized Goldberg’s remarks.
“The fact that Goldberg, as a Black woman, enjoys freedoms like speaking openly and appearing uncovered on national television highlights the stark contrast with the oppression Iranian women face every day,” Daftari told Fox News Digital.
Goldberg’s controversial comments come amid a history of public backlash over her statements.
In 2022, she was suspended from “The View” after claiming the Holocaust was “not about race,” a remark that drew widespread condemnation.
Goldberg later apologized, stating she “misspoke.”
This incident highlights the sensitivities surrounding comparisons of racial injustice and authoritarian repression.
Experts and advocates emphasize the importance of acknowledging the unique hardships faced by different groups without conflating vastly different experiences.
The conversation also reflects ongoing global scrutiny of Iran’s human rights record, where millions face government surveillance, censorship and violent repression for seeking basic freedoms.
Iranian dissidents continue to call on the international community to hold Tehran accountable for its abuses while raising awareness about the realities inside the country.
“The View” did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident.
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Author: Gloriel Howard
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