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Elizabeth Hasselbeck and "Glitter Glass What's His Face" (Updated)


In one sentence, Elizabeth Hasselbeck refers to Glitter Glass What's His Face to light a bowl of incense and then proceeds to say the United States does good work around the world.  A completely racist comment that demonstrates the deeper cultural issues the US faces around the world.

UPDATED:

Here is a link to Elizabeth's apology.

 

Comments (50)
schoolforwonder's picture
Posted by Jesse White
Mallika, to show how counter balance works, I was playing my guitar and singing "Angels we have heard on high" when this post came into my mailbox. I have never learned Christmas music on the guitar, and this morning seemed like a perfect time to make my voice more audible, my ability to build bridges with people of all faiths stronger. I stopped singing to see who was sending me a note, and felt even more sure of how non-violence comes in many forms. Thank you for letting me sing to these women, for inviting me to realize the power and the beauty of my intention, to create harmony in the world. peace, Jess
takeabreath's picture
Posted by deb reynolds
I was quite amazed at Ms. Hasselbeck's comments. In the first instance, referring to Deepak Chopra...... what the heck did that mean? I was really confused and have no idea of the context that might have been behind it. Not that there's an excuse. It just seemed dumb. Secondly...... although I don't agree with Ms. Hasselbeck's politics, I do believe she is a compassionate person. But what planet has she been living on? To suggest that the US is the only country looked to for help, to suggest that the US does only good in the world......... boggles my mind that someone can see the world through such a framework. Sheesh!
Razz's picture
Posted by Razz Liberty
Good morning Mallika, No matter what a person thinks or believes about another's philosophies, respect for the individual should always be apparent. This morning I heard Elizabeth Hasselbeck offer an apology on TV concerning your father. For whatever it is worth. In peace and love, Razz
Ursula's picture
Posted by Ursula Koenig
On one hand: take her off the air. I am over it. I am over the over-explaining-bitter-selective memory-fact-gloss overs that she and many of her ilk just cling to as they are constantly back-tracking any point they are trying to make while these people wrap it all up in a fairy tale magic blanket of lies. On the other hand: I adore the glitter-glasses-incense-bowl-lighter-Deepak that speaks from a place of truth, trying to open a door of logic, facts and wisdom. May the smoke of the collective incense cleanse those dull brains!
Posted by Elaine Springer
The way I see it , Mallika, is that it is Elizabeth's Hasselbeck's loss ( just as with all racists) that she truly has no clue as to the true nature of your father's work and/or the message he is sending to the world. She is only harming herself when she attacks - as we know - angry attacks diminish our own spirit and light. Thank you for you post. Take good care of yourself. Peace, Elaine
Posted by Elaine Springer
I am so happy to hear that she did, apologize. Bravo ! Elaine
bentrem's picture
Posted by Bernard (ben) Tremblay
I don't think her comment was racist. I'd call it contemptuous impunity ... the sort self-indulgent hubris that's hardly rare. And ironic! While flaunting her nation's virtues she shows its deepest dis-ease. A great Christian liberationist in the 60s (not Maritain; the name escapes me just now) commented on American generosity, and how those who didn't accept their gifts were in danger of being bombed. And yet (CNN comes to mind) I feel somehow grateful that such lack of self-consciousness and discriminating awareness is coming out into the light. The wounds are not new, and they are not superficial.
MissNenes's picture
Posted by Ren Christine
Hi Mallika, Interestingly, I ran across and older video snippet from The View this morning that features Elizabeth Hasselbeck extremely upset regarding the use of derogatory epithets to describe those of differing ethnicity and culture... and yet, as upset as she is in this clip, it apparently didn't seem to faze her with regard to your father in the one posted - and I'm sorry for it. Granted, humans, by nature, are multi-faceted and contradictory beings at times... but she is a public personality and might consider being more mindful. I am heartened to read below in Razz's post that she's offered a public apology. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw9eTpqCvmQ
bentrem's picture
Posted by Bernard (ben) Tremblay
p.s. that might have been Ivan Illich in his essay on "Good Intentions" ... memory is letting me down just now.
Posted by Elaine Springer
Hi again, Mallika, I know this may seem a radical suggestion, as this situation is much more personal to you. Forgive me in advance if you find it impractical at this moment. I just thought since she did apologize, you might extend an invitation to her to visit the Chopra Center, so that she might expand her consciousness and learn in a healing environment. All my best to you, Elaine
Krissy's picture
Posted by Krissy Saunders
Yes, this is disrespectful. VERY. And racist. However, let's not get distracted by all of this. Thank GOD Deepak has a voice. He needs to be ready for people attacking him as his/our ideology is controversial however true it is. But le'ts not let it take us off course, and let's keep getting our message out there. If it was mainstream, we wouldn't be facing the global issues that we do. We have detractors who don't understand. They are ignorant. It is about them, not us. We nee to stay focused on peace and love. This is uphill, but very doable. AS LONG AS WE STAY ON COURSE. Please get out of this spiral. You, your dad, and Gotham are snowballing and fighting fighting fighting. That does NOT solve anything. Anger creates more anger. Darkness cannot hide from the light. Be the light. Take the high road. Walk in peace. Believe in peace. Create it with every thought, feeling, word, action, and passion. Posting blog after blog after blog is only continuing with the recreation of the insanity that created it in the first place. What I tell my son "Don't show people your hot buttons, so they don't know what to push. If you tell kids what upsets you or how to get to you, human nature states they will go after it" Reveal your weakness and they will be exploited. You are all exposing your hot buttons, inviting the world to come along and push them over and over. Don't ever let them see you sweat. Stand up, dry yourselves off, and move forward. PLEASE. True friends tell you what you need to hear, and it may not always be what you want to hear. I am that friend. Always, and I expect it in return and appreciate it. With love and respect, Krissy
JudyB's picture
Posted by Judy Bow
I agree with Deb, Elisabeth is really a well meaning and compassionate person however misguided she may be in her view of the world and those who don't think the same way that she does. I would love to see Deepak engage her in dialogue about her comments in a venue that provides some time to examine her feelings. I have never agreed with her politically but have always thought she is someone who might some day see the light beyond neo-conservatism.
Razz's picture
Posted by Razz Liberty
Hi Krissy, I agree in total with your sentiments concerning the continuing saga. It is time to forgive and go forward, there are so many more worthy issues to put our positive energy into. As to being "very racists" a remark. I disagree. In love and peace, Razz
sylvieimelda's picture
Posted by s s
A lot of the comments people leave here annoy me, because all the suggestions they give is to repress our feelings and just act loving and forgiving, but to get to a place of love and forgiveness we need to feel and express our feelings responsible and Dr. Deepak Chopra and Mallika are a great example of how to express our feelings responsibly
Anonymous's picture
Posted by George (not verified)
Please explain how her comments are "racist". I will agree that they are not polite. But also consider who she's up against on "The View". With the possible exception of Barbara Walters, you hear nothing but hate-filled negativity from the mouthes of the others. The most aweful of them all was Rosie O'Donnell. Despite these particular remarks, I find Elizabeth to be Ms. Walter's only equal in terms of good manners on the show. But back to the "racist" claim. I know this is about your Dad, but does he not wear glasses with glitter on them? It may not be polite to make fun of them. But how is that racist. Are you offended by the "what's his face"? I'm pretty certain you must know this is a common expression used when a persons name doesn't come to mind immediately having nothing to do with a persons race. Finally I'm more inclined to think it is the "bowl of incense" remark that bothers you. Let me assure you that those who make fun of incense use are not making fun of any particular religion, race or ethnicity. In the U.S. incense is often associated with counter cultures and out of the mainstream movements not easily understood by the average person. A lot of people used incense in the United States in the 1960's and they were very much mis-understood by "normal" people because their ideas were very differnt to what most people were accustomed. I am beginning to get very concerned that Dr. Choprah's good works and teachings will be hurt by his very public involvement in political debate. When I read his books, I learn and I grow. I understand life more and I believe I am getting closer to God. If you understood where I come from you would understand how miraculous that is. But when I hear Dr. Choprah criticize the United States and Christian fundamentalists more than he does Arab Governments and Muslim Fundamentalists, I start to feel the same unease I feel when I hear the Rosie O'Donnell's and the Arianna Huffingtons of the world who are filled with negativity and hatred. I love the Deepak Choprah who teaches. He helps me along the path to enlightment. Deepak Choprah the political commentator brings doubt to my heart and confuses me. With Love, George
Richard's picture
Posted by Richard Gerber
I think we may be missing the most positive thing that Deepak Chopra has entered her consciousness as well as many others, which is a reason for good cheer! Anyone that becomes aware of Deepak has reached a stage in their evolution where it became possible to actually manifest Deepak Chopra in their lives. Deepak (his public persona) is a collective manifestation of the evolved infinite self within all of us often obscured by our finite self, but not for long. No doubt his private persona shares the same trials and tribulations we all do and I would not put the burden of being perfect on anyone lest I put it on myself first, and who amongst us? This breach of darkness by the light creates turmoil for the source disconnected ego, until it connects fully and humor can be found in this as part of the divine comedy.
ninatrans's picture
Posted by Nina Krietemeyer
Yes, it was racist and she does need to make amends. I think she is a good person, just a closed in one. The bigger issue here is that so many Americans truly believe that we only do good around the world. It is ingrained in us in our teachings at school and in our religous studies. Many of us have only learned that the "Indians" were savages and the crusades were holy. It Jack Boland, the founder of Renaissance Unity - where your father just spoke last month - has a quote that was in our daily inspirational email today. It reads, " Don't let your good get in the way of your better". We can be better, but we only will be by opening up ourselves to new points of view. I would love to see you go on The View.
empyrius's picture
Posted by Craig Jones
Like us blonds don't have enough problems, now we have this vacuous chick mouthing off; Britney, Paris, Jessica . . ., will the horror never end?!? Just shut up and dance chick just shut up and dance! Am I being sexist? No. I just loathe blondes that are in fact dumb. Peace
lostsince75's picture
Posted by JET T
I would like to note that I'm pleased to know that the Chopra Family have these human qualities called feelings, and are demonstrating to us all how to express them in a rather peaceful manner. I agree whole hardly with Sylvia Shene's comments below. Frankly the people who talk about living life by banishing every negative thought, emotion or feeling is possible, or even rational really tic me off. In many ways it is just as insulting to hear someone tout how more spiritual evolved they are because they can't be angry, and are above it all. Why does being spiritual mean we need to aspire to be like Mr Spock? Is there a lesson in that for me? I'm sure there is. I need to learn to except the fact there are people on this earth with different perceptions, even when there is strong factual evidence they are wrong. What the Chopras seem to be demonstrating are the natural phases of a grieving process. There are typically 5 stages of grief. These reactions do not occur in a specific order, and may show simultaneously. Not every emotion is usually shown publicly. they are Denial Anger Bargaining Depression Acceptance When anyone loops into any one phase over and over again serious psychological harm which can manifest into physical problems do occur. Trust me from experience, or don't. But spiritual bypassing our emotions can have serious negative consequences, whether you want to believe it or not.
dymty's picture
Posted by Phillip Zeuner
Where is the sympathy for the ignorant? She is just a child, a baby. She knows not of what she speaks. She is innocent and therefore undeserving of punishment. Pointing fingers and saying "Wrong," or "Bad" only serves to further close a mind. People change becasue they want to, because what they've been doing is not working. Apparently for her, it has been working. She will only change when she changes. We may hope that the change comes, but we cannot hope that it comes sooner than its supposed to. There is nothing personal in her comments, don't you see?
Anonymous's picture
Posted by mo (not verified)
the poor thing is deficient. It's best to just ignore her. After all, if her desire is to get attention, then negative attention will do. Though I'm not against judicious use of the Time-Out.
Anonymous's picture
Posted by serendib (not verified)
Malika, He is your father and I am sorry that her few remarks disrespectful and dismissive of your father's contributions to the global community. Yes, she's got a stereotype operating in her mind and she gets to see it played out on national television. I am sure she is more embarrassed than you are about her remarks. I'm not a fan of hers, but I do feel compassion for her because she has to live with her actions. I'm just as protective about my family as you are, but maybe you could forgive her? Stay strong, sister. Love-
James_Baquet's picture
Posted by James Baquet
I sympathize with the Chopra family. However, two bits of wisdom come to mind, one from the Sutras and one from the schoolyard: "Not by violence is violence ended. Violence is ended by nonviolence." "Sticks and stones may break my bones, "But names will never hurt me." peace
Posted by Mallika Chopra
Thank you everyone for your comments. First, my family is very human. We have egos like everyone else, we get offended like others, we get hurt like others. And when it is done on a national stage, it is even more sensitive. That said, both Gotham and I grew up having people call my father names - a snake oil salesmans, a witch doctor - so we are used to the name calling. Elizabeth's comment about "lighting incense" not only igniting a feeling of racism we have faced before, but also in hundreds of calls that were made to ABC, including many from abroad, by South Asians who were offended by the statement. We know the producers responsibly fielded the calls, and spoke to her about it. I believe Elizabeth apologized on air this morning, and I respect her ability to do so. Of course, we have no feelings against her. That adds no value and hopefully we can all learn from this occurrence. Both Elizabeth Hassellbeck and Dorothy Rabinowicz have been invited to engage in a direct public conversation with my father on his Sirius Satelite Radio Show (see podcast tab above). We will see where this leads, but the goal is to face all of our dark sides - theirs, ours, and all of ours as humans. By doing so, perhaps we can all learn something. I do want to address the issue around our flaming the fires, per se, vs just ignoring our perceived attacks by both Dororthy and Elizabeth's. Non violence as one of our bloggers so eloquently put it does not mean being passive. Focusing on healing does not mean ignoring what hurts you. As individuals we must face our own demons, and as society we must face our actions as nation stages, as religions, as cultures... My personal goal at Intent.com is not to just create a happy place where we all virtually hold hands and sing happy songs. This perception of the New Age movement has always frankly annoyed me. My personal goal is to create a real community that addresses real issues with real people from around the world. A community that is dedicated to aspiring to better selves, individually, as a society and as a planet. In that vein, you hear our real, unfiltered voices around personal, social, global and spiritual wellness. My father is real, not just an author of interesting books. Gotham and I are real, and many of the others you will hear from here are also communicating their unfiltered thoughts. That is the wonderful thing about the medium of the internet and why we created this site. Our hope is that the community connects with thought provoking content here, but more importantly with each other to foster understanding, empathy, healing and inspiration for each other. Last but not least, lets not lose sight of the real issue that has sparked this diversion - what happened in Mumbai and how can we as a global community foster understanding to prevent future generations of similar thinking. Thank you everyone for your sincere engagement. Mallika
Graycard's picture
Posted by Ted Daniels
It's interesting that your dad is starting to get the kind of bitter personal attacks that John Kerry and Barack Obama used to get. Looks like somebody's scared out there. Wonder why? In his position I would want to back away from reacting to the events, which are likely to continue, and reflect on who's scared of me and why? Could it be that they feel a power I might want to be more aware of?
Hollowbone's picture
Posted by Lisa Gutowski
I'm not certain that Deepak would be comfortable with the term guru, but he is one of mine. A guru is a despeller of darkness, a way shower, a bringer of light- a human to follow so that an experience of direct consciousness can be made. Deepak- you rock dude! As far as Mrs. Hasselbeck is concerned- she has shown her spiritual immaturity for all things enlightened since she first began opening her mouth. Chalk her up with all the other unevolved souls, who run on fear and have no direct concept of love. As we are all connected, and in the ho'oponopono way of huna healing we are all responsible for that which we perceive- where is the ignorance still in us that needs healing? If we didn't have it in us we wouldn't be attracting it, even at a distance. I'm off to do some meditation, to perhaps use this experience to evolve myself into a higher state of lvoe. hollowbone Lisa
Hollowbone's picture
Posted by Lisa Gutowski
ok- so I just sent a comment to ABC, telling them that Mrs. Hasselbeck has to go. There is no room in this world for blatent disregard of other's beliefs, hatred of all things nonChristian, and simple ignorance. If you want to send them a message- there is power in numbers... http://abc.go.com/site/contactus.html?lid=ABCCOMGlobalFooter&lpos=CONTACT
natalie.olson's picture
Posted by Natalie Angela
Dear Mallika, Thank you for reminding everyone that you and your family are human. Sometimes this understanding may get lost. Divine light is contained within us all and it is through the challenges that we come to realize our "humaness" which, in this context, gravitates us towards our awareness of our Divinity. It through acceptance not denial that this awareness occurs. We are One. Blessings, Natalie
natalie.olson's picture
Posted by Natalie Angela
You and your family have accepted your "Humaness" while advocating and living the the Divine. I commend you... Natalie
JudyB's picture
Posted by Judy Bow
And by the way, I think Deepak's glasses are charming. I remember noticing them on a TV interview and thinking "now those are definitely cool glasses"! It showed a light heartedness of his that I appreciate.