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Leslie Jones

Leslie Jones' tribute to Whoopi Goldberg is why we need representation

Jaleesa M. Jones
USA TODAY
Representation matters.

In a media landscape where diversity is exceptional rather than expected, seeing people who look like you, talk like you and seem to implicitly understand the battle you're fighting is affirming. It's a reminder that you matter. We see you. You are capable of more than you know. You can be who you want to be.

For Leslie Jones, Whoopi Goldberg was that affirmation. The comedian, SNL power player and Ghostbusters star appeared on The View Thursday and opened up to her longtime idol about what her presence as an unrepentant, EGOT-winning black woman meant to her.

"When I was young, my dad always let me listen to comedy albums and I always knew about comedy," Jones began. "I always loved comedy. The day I saw Whoopi Goldberg on television, I cried so hard because I kept looking at my daddy going, 'Oh my God! There’s somebody on TV who looks like me! She looks like me! Daddy! I can be on TV. I can be on TV, I can do it. Look at her. Look at her. She looks just like me.'"

Jones shared that she had her father record Goldberg daily so she could watch her after school.

"I just want to thank you from the bottom of my heart because now I know what I’m doing when I put on that Ghostbusters suit and little girls see me on TV now. Now, they’re gonna go, 'I can do it,' and you gave that to me," a teary Jones said before pausing to compose herself. "And I love you. I love you from my heart and soul. I love you for what you’ve done for Black women. I love you for what you’d done for black comedians, and I love you."

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