Iranian Dissidents Rebuke Whoopi Goldberg for Comparing Black Life in America to Oppression in Iran
Television host and actress Whoopi Goldberg is facing fierce backlash from Iranian dissidents and human rights advocates after asserting on The View that Black Americans today are as oppressed as citizens living under the authoritarian regime in Iran. The comments, made during a heated exchange with co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, have ignited outrage from those who have endured and fled Iran’s brutal theocracy.
Griffin, attempting to highlight the stark differences between civil liberties in the United States and the reality inside Iran, stated plainly, “It’s very different to live in the United States in 2025 than it is in Iran.” Her remarks referred to Iran’s notorious human rights record — a regime where women are beaten or jailed for improper dress, dissenters are tortured, and homosexuality is punishable by death.
Goldberg’s comparison drew immediate condemnation from Iranian-born dissidents who called her remarks not only misguided but deeply offensive.
“Whoopi Goldberg’s comparison between being Black in America and living under Iran’s authoritarian regime is deeply misguided and dismisses the brutal realities faced by millions of Iranians,” said Dr. Sheila Nazarian, a prominent plastic surgeon and activist who fled Iran as a child after her family was targeted by the regime.
Nazarian stressed that while racism remains a serious issue in the United States, it is incomparable to the systemic terror unleashed by Iran’s theocratic dictatorship, where dissent often leads to imprisonment, torture, or execution.
“In Iran, the government controls nearly every aspect of life. People can be imprisoned, tortured, raped or even executed for peaceful protests, for criticizing the regime, or simply expressing their opinions online,” she told Fox News Digital.
Iranian-American journalist and human rights expert Lisa Daftari echoed the outrage, calling Goldberg’s statement “astonishing.”
“The very fact that she, as a woman — and a woman of color — has a platform where she can speak freely, express dissenting views, and appear uncovered on national television is proof of the immense freedoms she enjoys,” Daftari said.
She continued on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting the repressive nature of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei’s rule:
“Khamenei’s regime has executed hundreds in the past year alone. Women and minorities live under constant fear. This is a regime known for its torture, mass arrests, and assassinations — both at home and abroad.”
Under Khamenei, Iran remains one of the world’s top executioners, especially targeting women, journalists, and religious minorities. The regime’s notorious morality police and intelligence forces enforce a strict version of Sharia law, crushing any form of dissent through fear and violence.
While Whoopi Goldberg has not yet responded to the criticism, the backlash underscores a critical distinction: while America still struggles with racial injustice, comparing that reality to theocratic totalitarianism — where dissent can cost lives — diminishes the lived horrors of millions trapped under brutal regimes.
As the voices of Iranian women and dissidents continue to grow louder on the global stage, comparisons that blur the line between injustice and tyranny are not only unhelpful — they are historically irresponsible.
