Whoopi Goldberg urges fans to stop calling her ‘racist’ in heart-breaking discussion about Tyre Nichols’ death

Whoopi Goldberg has asked viewers to stop calling her ‘racist’ in a heart-breaking discussion about the tragic death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of police brutality.

Nichols was brutally beaten by five Memphis Police officers on January 7, before he died in hospital from his injuries on January 10.

Authorities released footage of the arrest on Friday, just days after the officers were charged with Nichols’ murder, in which footage shows the five officers continue to beat, pepper spray, and stun Nichols.

The officers then chat and mill about as Nichols writhes in pain on the ground, calling for his mother.

Speaking about the incident on The View, Whoopi asked her co-hosts: ‘I ask this question way too many times at this table, but you know, when will the brutality finally lead to some police reform from the ground up?’

The 67-year-old continued: ‘Because clearly, it doesn’t matter if it’s a white policeman or a black policeman, it is a problem in the police and the policing itself.

Nichols was brutally beaten by five Memphis Police officers on January 7, and died in hospital days later (Picture: Facebook)

Whoopi called for police reform (Picture: The View)

‘You know, it seems things don’t seem to make sense to people unless it’s somebody they can feel or they can recognise, but how many times do we need to see white people also get beaten up before anyone will do anything?’

She added: ‘I’m not suggesting that, so don’t write us and tell me, you know, what a racist I am.

‘I’m just asking, is that what people have to see in order to wake up and realise this affects us all?’

Elsewhere in the discussion, Whoopi’s co-panellist Sunny Hostin spoke about being unable to watch the horrific video.

‘As the mother of a Black son who’s six foot two and 20 years old, my worst nightmare is probably what is on that video,’ she emotionally shared.

‘There are studies that show Black people continuously watch these videos suffer from PTSD because of what’s called “linked fate,” because we see our loved ones in the video.

‘But I think there are people who need to see the video, those people who can decide they’re not gonna watch it because they know that’s not gonna happen to their kid.

Protests broke out across the country after the footage was released (Picture: AP)

‘Those are the people need to watch it to get real police reform, which would include personal liability for police officers.’

Protests broke out in Memphis and other major US cities after the footage was released on Friday, while Nichols’ family asked protesters to keep their demonstrations peaceful.

More: Trending

‘I don’t want us burning up our city, tearing up the streets, because that’s not what my son stood for,’ his mother RowVaughn Wells told protesters on Thursday.

‘If you guys are here for me and Tyre, then you will protest peacefully.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us [email protected], calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : Whoopi Goldberg abruptly stops The View to confront heckler in the audience

MORE : Whoopi Goldberg is determined to bring Loose Women to the US and The View to the UK

Follow Metro on Snapchat

You can follow our new Snapchat show Pop Cultur’d, the go-to place for all things pop culture.

Keep up with the latest Showbiz exclusives by following Metro Showbiz on Snapchat.

And football fans can indulge in all the transfer gossip and more on Metro Football on Snapchat.

Whoopi urged for police reform in a heart-breaking discussion on The View.