Whoopi Goldberg’s ‘The View’ claim that Iran and – Latest News
On Wednesday’s “The View,” Whoopi Goldberg mentioned Iran and America are “the same.” In a heated exchange, Alyssa Farah Griffin disagreed, at one level saying, “It’s very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is to live in Iran.” Whoopi retorted, “Not if you’re black!” Here, an Iranian who fled the nation and lives in America responds.
There is totally no comparability between life within the United States and life underneath the Islamic Republic of Iran. The worst scenario of any American citizen — regardless of race, gender or background — continues to be infinitely higher than the each day concern, oppression and brutality people endure in Iran.
I lived there. I do know the concern firsthand. I’ve seen it.
In Iran, you’re continually watched. You might be arrested for a phrase, for a haircut, for listening to the mistaken music, for refusing to adapt.
They torture people. They execute dissidents. They even assassinate critics overseas.
So to listen to somebody on American TV, with complete freedom of speech and legal safety, equate the United States with Iran just isn’t solely factually mistaken — it’s offensive to those that are really struggling and dying in silence.
Whoopi Goldberg (left) sparred with Alyssa Farah Griffin (proper) on Wednesday’s episode of “The View.” ABC
In America, you possibly can protest, sue, criticize the president and nonetheless go home safely at evening. In Iran, that similar act may get you killed. So no — they don’t seem to be the identical. Not even close.
Daily life in Iran is a jail — simply not at all times with seen bars.
Every element of your life is managed: what you put on, what you say, who you affiliate with, what music you take heed to, what you post online.
You’re continually afraid. Your telephone is tapped. You converse in whispers. You look over your shoulder. Every sentence can be utilized in opposition to you.
Women are overwhelmed and arrested for how they gown. Students are tortured for talking out.
There is no due course of, no transparency, no safety.
They can arrest you with out purpose, torture you with out trial, and your loved ones could by no means know the place you might be. They power televised confessions, and then they dangle people — publicly.
The writer, Majid Rafizadeh, speaks out concerning the Iranian regime — regardless of threats to him and his household. Courtesy of Majid Rafizadeh
I’ve had relations tortured, detained. Some by no means got here back.
So again, this isn’t one thing people in America, even within the worst circumstances, can absolutely grasp. It’s not wrestle — it’s terror.
Iranians would typically relatively be within the United States a thousand instances over, even on its worst day. An Iranian would dream of having the issues Americans complain about.
In the United States, you could have the appropriate to talk, to problem authority, to protest, to dwell your life.
In Iran, you could have no such rights. You’re not even a particular person within the eyes of the regime. You’re property. And for those who step out of line, they break you — and your loved ones.
Here in America, even when somebody disagrees with you, you continue to have the liberty to talk, to work, to realize. People of all races have turn into billionaires, senators, even president.
Massive crowds make their method to the 2022 funeral of Mahsa Amini, who was murdered by Iranian officers for the way in which she wore her hijab. UGC/AFP through Getty Images
So when somebody within the West claims to be a sufferer whereas gaining access to courts, media, training and full legal protections, it appears like drama. It feels manufactured. Because in Iran, you’re not a sufferer — you’re a hostage.
Every single particular person in Iran is aware of somebody who has been arrested, tortured or killed by the regime. It just isn’t an exaggeration. It’s actuality. Political imprisonment is so widespread that it touches each household.
My own household has lived by means of this nightmare. They tortured my father. They monitored us. They interrogated kin.
And these tales by no means make the information — as a result of they don’t enable journalists, they don’t enable fact.
People disappear. Mothers by no means discover their youngsters. Executions occur with out trials.
It’s not a authorities — it’s a mafia that guidelines by means of concern, ache and violence. Everyone is aware of somebody. Everyone lives in concern that she or he is likely to be subsequent.
Iranian dissidents are executed in public — sending a lesson to the remainder of the struggling population. AP
I left Iran as a result of of the oppression, the concern and the fixed risk to my life and to my household. We had been being watched. My father was tortured. My kin had been interrogated.
And I knew that if I stayed, I may disappear like so many others.
I nonetheless have household there — and they’re continually focused. They are harassed, intimidated and punished, just because I converse out. My aged mom, who can barely stroll, has been threatened.
They wish to instill concern — to silence me. Most possible, they do it to stop me from writing and exposing the regime. And yes, I carry guilt each day as a result of of that. I really feel chargeable for the ache they endure.
But I additionally know that silence helps the oppressor. I’ve to talk up. I’ve to put in writing.
I’ve to reveal the reality — even when it prices me every thing. Even if it prices me my life.
Because what they’re doing to the people of Iran is not only mistaken — it’s evil.
Majid Rafizadeh is a political scientist and advisory board member of the Harvard International Review.
