oprah winfrey

[sdbrit68]

Did anyone catch the news about her school opening??????

She is based, if I remember correctly , out of Chicago, there are many underprivelaged areas there with crappy schools,.

yet she travels all the way to Africa to open a school !!!!!!!!!!!!

If you watched the broadcast, there were no white faces there, when asked why there were no white south african students in attendance......her exact words

" I don't feel I need to appease the white people here "

Now is it me, or is that a very racist comment. Not only does she put her efforts into another country, when her own could use it, she goes on network television and makes a racist comment.

Now, a few weeks ago, a comedian loses it while two black men are disrupting his show, and he gets crucified all over the news.

Now I don't advocate the words he used, they are not allowed in my house, but everyone forgot that the people he directed his rant to, were in fact, interfering with his show, which is how he makes a living.

Now Oprah makes this comment......any bets on whether the news blasts her ?????

I say no, they dont have the balls too.

just seems to be a very double standard.......or maybe I am just irritable tonight,

[Svetlana]

I've known several South Africans irl and online that I consider very good friends. I think each of them would remind Oprah that it wasn't all of the white ppl of SA that believed in Apartheid. It was an old institution, just as slavery was in the States. It's just not easy, although it may be convenient for some, to simply draw a line in the sand and believe that everything is, literally, black and white. The key is integration and acceptance, not more black vs. white. That's easier said than done, however, and often it takes decades and generations to work through such difficult ideas.

Ah well. End of the day, I think it's great to open schools in Africa, or Chicago, or anywhere.

[pitchinguy]

She said that!!!!?? Where was this? Was it on the news? I caught a little about her school but I didn't see that.

[snickerdoodle]

I didn't hear Oprah say that about white people, but I do believe she is doing a wonderful thing. I think her belief is that children in the U.S are literally given an education, if they choose to take advantage of it...these children don't have that opportunity. She's taking care of group of people by giving them an education. Maybe another person with her type of compassion and pocketbook and dream can open another school for a different type of person. I say we should embrace what she's done for these young girls and hope that they can rise above the poverty and sickness in their lives.

I know how you feel about maybe just being irritable...I felt that way the other night when I heard all federal buildings were going to be closed today...ha! I was all po'd. It doesn't effect in any way that I didn't get mail today, but I wasn't respecting that fact that our 38th president had passed...I'm crazy sometimes.

[2WheelFun]

From what I have seen...Oprah has done more good for alot of people regardless of their skin color.

[sdbrit68]

yeah, she actually said it, my girlfriend and I both said " Holy $hit"
at the same time......

I agree she has done a lot of good, and I agree about embracing the opening of schools.....but

If she was white and did the same thing in south africa, then said " I don't need to appease the black people here "

there would literally be hell to pay......think about it seriously, what if rosie o'donnel was in that place.

What I think really bothers me, is my opinion of her was of a self made person, who does put the time into the community, I really thought highly of her, even though I don't watch her show.

But reality....its a double standard of who can say what. Plus I am an america first person. My church is always having people talk about what country they are going to help out in, what about the poor here.

What about senior citizens who die from cold every year because they cant afford heat........or the schools that have seriously outdated books.
I just dont believe we can help others until we help ourselves.

My state, california ( a place known for good schools), is second to last in the number of seniors we send to college, the country, is like 44th in the world in education behind places we call third world.........so, I wonder why people dont try in their own country first

[sdbrit68]

oh, and please don't anyone accuse me of racism, my rant has nothing to do with the color of Oprahs skin, I believe her comment was wrong period, no matter what race it was directed at......its the double standard and not helping her own country that bothers me

[SixFiveOh]

I also wondered why she didn't start at home with a school. Then I realized that we - as Americans - have all of the opportunities we need. Why add more? Too many dollars are wasted in the US every year on those who have no intention of lifting a finger to help themselves. I think it's time we stop throwing dollars at the problem and start demanding each person accept personal responsibility for their "lot" in life.

I can't tell you how sick I am of hearing politicians say "it's for the children".

It's not for the children - it's all about the money and how much they can control.

[pitchinguy]

^^^+1^^^

[sebastian1000]

Psssst. Oprah thinks she can do no wrong. And yes there is a definate double standard in this country and in the media. Racism is Racism is Racism! Ahh this is a hot topic for me.

[snickerdoodle]

I guess i feel that we're all one... It doesn't matter where we are so much as what is happening to us and who can help. I agree with 650...kids in some areas today don't give a rat's arse about an education. This was something that Oprah had a "dream" about.

What is the status of the white folk in south africa?...(this does indeed show my own ignorance, this I know!) I ask because she had a list of prerequisites that one had to meet in order to be a part of this school. One was that they were all female, and the other was that their families couldn't have a monthly income of more than like $780 or so. I'm just curious....and I really appreciate and honor your opinions on this subject.

http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/af....ap/index.html

[likearock4x4]

Originally Posted by SixFiveOh

I also wondered why she didn't start at home with a school. Then I realized that we - as Americans - have all of the opportunities we need. Why add more? Too many dollars are wasted in the US every year on those who have no intention of lifting a finger to help themselves. I think it's time we stop throwing dollars at the problem and start demanding each person accept personal responsibility for their "lot" in life.

I can't tell you how sick I am of hearing politicians say "it's for the children".

It's not for the children - it's all about the money and how much they can control.

+100

We have a handful of people in this country who are on hard times, and would work their tails off to get out of it... the rest just want a handout and that's it. (I have to admit that I would be one who would work my tail off if I had fallen on hard times as probably most of us here are.) It just sickens me at the way most of these people behave. Heck, you can't even give a bumb some money any more, you have to buy them a meal, or else they'll just spend it on drink or cigs... you offer to take them to buy them a meal, and they usually say "NO Thanks."

[jukief]

I read a quote from her about how kids in her hometown wanted things like iPods, not schoolbooks. (Quote below.) She wanted to spend her money on kids who really had a need and really appreciated the chance to get an education. I won't judge her because I'm just glad that she's spending her money on someone else and trying to do something good for *someone*. A lot of people with money don't. As for the comment about only helping the black children in South Africa, that seems to make sense to me. I doubt that the white children needs schools and school supplies the way the black children do.

Here's that quote from an article in People magazine:

As for critics who've said she should focus her efforts on the U.S., Winfrey, who has contributed to many American charities, says she was moved by the South African children's desire for an education.

"I really became frustrated with the fact that all I did was write check after check," the media mogul, 52, tells Newsweek of her previous charitable giving. "At a certain point, you want to feel that connection."

Winfrey, who devoted five years to creating the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls outside Johannesburg, also said of the assistance she has given at home, "I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there."

In America, she says, "If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."

[zx10r rider]

I'm not taking sides but African American has more lee way then the rest of us. Here me out, I watch BET comedy shows and all I hear is N this, N that, cracker this,asian accents and putting females down. Any other race useing the same joke would of got shot on stage. I believe in helping people not by thier race and OPRAH she can make any racist remark and get away with it..OPRAH YOUR A BI@#H..JMHO!!

[sdbrit68]

Jukief, in some ways I agree with you.

I bhave some friends from South Africa, both black and white. They emigrated here because of the dangers of where they lived, and for a better life. People don't realize there are many, many poor people of both colors there.

Its just like here in some ways, there is the richer ruling elite, then there are poor.

If she would have said, The reason there is no white faces is because these students were hand picked to start with, that would be one thing.

But it's not just the comment, but also the way she said it, and her tone.

I believe it was directed at a few people......but could have been said better. My main frustration, if the shoe was on the other foot, a light skinned person would have been crucified

[james t. kirk]

Double standard, yup!
that make it right, nope!
Has she always said comments that make me believe she is a bit racist, yup!
Is it her money, yup
Can she spend it where and how she wants, yup
Is Oprah full of more hot gas than a ballon festival, yup
Self important, yup
Will we ever see an end to racism? No!
Will we see improvements in racism, YES!
Will there always be stupid people of every color, yes
Will Spok ever be speechless, doubtful but it could happen.
Is Judas Priest the best heavy Metal band of all time, yes
I dislike person "B". Is it because of the skin, or they are a jerk, There a jerk.
Do people differentiate between skin and jerk, not usually, thats a problem.
Is Kirk the best Captain, yes.
Will Adama fire the nukes, no
Are Americans spoiled and selfish, no if your American, yes if your not.
Are we living in historic times and not realizing it, yes
Will alien life be found in our lifetime, yes
Is money the root of all evil, yes.
was there a point to any of this, yes, Oprah makes more money from the press.

[Jake '53]

Originally Posted by james t. kirk

Double standard, yup!
that make it right, nope!
Has she always said comments that make me believe she is a bit racist, yup!
Is it her money, yup
Can she spend it where and how she wants, yup
Is Oprah full of more hot gas than a ballon festival, yup
Self important, yup
Will we ever see an end to racism? No!
Will we see improvements in racism, YES!
Will there always be stupid people of every color, yes
Will Spok ever be speechless, doubtful but it could happen.
Is Judas Priest the best heavy Metal band of all time, yes
I dislike person "B". Is it because of the skin, or they are a jerk, There a jerk.
Do people differentiate between skin and jerk, not usually, thats a problem.
Is Kirk the best Captain, yes.
Will Adama fire the nukes, no
Are Americans spoiled and selfish, no if your American, yes if your not.
Are we living in historic times and not realizing it, yes
Will alien life be found in our lifetime, yes
Is money the root of all evil, yes.
was there a point to any of this, yes, Oprah makes more money from the press.

You know, I really don't care if alien life is found in our lifetime.

[Spok]

Originally Posted by Jake '53

You know, I really don't care if alien life is found in our lifetime.

jake meet spok, spok meet jake

[Jake '53]

Originally Posted by Spok

jake meet spok, spok meet jake

oops, no offense meant.

[james t. kirk]

Originally Posted by Jake '53

You know, I really don't care if alien life is found in our lifetime.

I think it will be the most important discovery for mankind since fire, and atomic energy.

Mind you, I am not taking microbes. I mean an intelligent race that will prove we are and have been being watched. Why? It will bring us together as a species. We will have to realize that we are not alone, that we are not the pinnacle of life we think we are. We are just another planet within this universe with a species of intelligent selfaware life. We can learn a lot from a more advanced friendly species. A clean power source would be a major benefit that everyone on this planet could use. If we had the ability to take away hunger and feed the world without the need to make a profit, we could see a lot of problems go away.

It's a big step for sure, but if we could do that, we could fix a lot of problems.

The one problem that we will always have is the need for power. Not for cars and planes. Personel power, GREED! How many of our current world leaders are doing what they do for the benefit of mankind, and not for the personel power and glory they derive from it? Why do they do it, cause it ensures that they have more than the next person. AAnyway this is strating to go way off of the "O" thread.