Whoopi Goldberg’s memoir “Bits and Pieces: My Mother, My Brother, and Me” reflects on her childhood growing up poor in the New York projects of Chelsea with her mother Emma Johnson and big brother Clyde. Despite their circumstances, Goldberg never felt their life was reduced, as her mother made efforts to enrich their lives with trips to shows, museums, Shakespeare in the Park, Radio City Music Hall, and excursions to Coney Island, filled with music, old movies, and culture.
Emma Johnson played a significant role in encouraging Whoopi Goldberg’s aspirations and believing in her abilities. Goldberg credits her mother for helping her achieve success and go from being Caryn Johnson, the ‘little weird kid’ from the projects, to becoming Whoopi Goldberg. Emma instilled in her daughter a strong work ethic and self-reliance, emphasizing the importance of being able to rely on oneself and do for oneself, with no guarantees in life.
Goldberg writes of her shock and grief upon hearing of her mother’s sudden death in 2010, followed by her brother’s passing five years later. She felt the need to write a memoir because she was forgetting things and wanted to document her memories. Losing her mother was especially difficult for Goldberg, as she was the first person to ever show her love and acceptance, making it a unique and profound loss for the actress.
Despite the devastating losses of her mother and brother, Goldberg admits that she never fell apart as she expected to after her mother’s passing. She has not fully processed the grief and continues to mourn their deaths. The actress and “The View” host reflects on the impact her mother had on her life and the lessons she learned from Emma, including the importance of self-reliance, hard work, and determination in achieving success.
Goldberg’s memoir offers insight into her childhood, upbringing, and the powerful influence her mother had on shaping her into the successful actress and personality she is today. Emma Johnson’s belief in her daughter’s abilities and her dedication to providing enriching experiences despite their financial hardships laid the foundation for Goldberg’s lifelong resilience and drive to succeed in the face of adversity.
The memoir is a heartfelt tribute to Goldberg’s mother, brother, and the impact they had on her life. Through her writing, Goldberg honors their memory, reflects on their profound influence on her personal and professional life, and shares the lessons she learned from her mother’s unwavering support and guidance. As Goldberg continues to navigate the grief of their loss, her memoir serves as a testament to the enduring bond between a mother and daughter and the lasting impact of a mother’s love and guidance on shaping a child’s life.
