Whoopi Goldberg says cops must relearn how to police: ‘Because now they’re soldiers, and we’re not in a war’

Whoopi Goldberg has added her voice to the chorus of people condemning systemic racism in the United States. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Goldberg outlined what she thinks should be done to curtail the issue.

“Racism is in the heart of the country, you can’t get away from it. Children are taught it without realizing that’s what they’re learning. So the first thing that has to happen is people have to first look at people and see them for who they are. Not for who they fear they are,” The View moderator told Cohen on Sunday.

In the wake of the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and others at the hands of the police, the 64-year-old argued that policing must change.

“The good cops have to call out bad behavior, so we can get rid of the bad cops,” Goldberg said. “And reteach police departments around the country how to police again. Because now they’re soldiers, and we’re not in a war. We’re not in wars in our towns and neighborhoods. So they must relearn how to police. And that is going to take the action of the federal government.”

In the U.S. and across the world, Black Lives Matter protesters continue to push for racial justice and police reform, with protests now targeting monuments connected to slavery and colonialism.

Last week, HBO Max pulled “Gone with the Wind” from its programming due to its racist depictions, but Goldberg criticized the move.

“Personally I think if you put things in a historical context — because if you start pulling every film … you’re going to have to pull all of the blaxploitation movies because they’re not depicting us the right way,” she said. “That’s a very long list of films.”

The Academy Award winner suggested a disclaimer at the beginning of the film and HBO Max has said it will consider that.