On a recent episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg stood up for Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker’s right to express his beliefs during a commencement speech at Benedictine College, despite the controversy surrounding his remarks.
Butker’s speech, which touched on sensitive topics like abortion, euthanasia, IVF, surrogacy, and LGBTQ rights, received backlash from some quarters.
However, Goldberg emphasized the importance of respecting differing viewpoints and upholding the principles of free speech.
“As a staunch Catholic speaking at a Catholic college, these are his beliefs, and he’s entitled to them,” Goldberg asserted. “While I may not agree with them, I respect his right to express them.”
Goldberg drew parallels to the respect afforded to Colin Kaepernick during his protests, highlighting the importance of allowing individuals to voice their opinions even if they differ from our own.
Co-host Sara Haines echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to protect freedom of speech and avoid censorship, even when we disagree with the message.
However, not all of the panelists shared Goldberg and Haines’ views. Sunny Hostin and Alyssa Farah Griffin expressed disapproval of Butker’s comments regarding the LGBTQ community.
Despite this, Goldberg reiterated her stance on the importance of allowing individuals to express their opinions without fear of retribution.
Amid the controversy, the NFL released a statement distancing itself from Butker’s remarks, affirming its commitment to inclusion and diversity.
While the debate over Butker’s speech continues, Goldberg’s defense of free speech underscores the ongoing conversation surrounding the boundaries of expression in today’s society.
