Please, sir, I want some more
South Africa: ?Oprah Winfrey and Gordon Brown Could Doing So Much … made me think of Oliver Twist, by Charles Dickens. I wouldn’t call myself a fan, but I do respect what Oprah does in the name of charity. She has never been one to tell others how and who to give to, nor does she flaunt what she has and gives. She does happen to be one of the wealthiest women in this country, has a successful television program, and is the fodder for gossip. That comes with the territory. So I guess it should not have surprised me when she was attacked for opening her school for girls in Africa, which she had been planning to do since 2002.
And for those who question why the academy is not on American soil, Oprah told Newsweek:
“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. 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.”
Nonetheless, criticism is already kicking up. The Huffington Post slammed O.’s work with this headline: Oprah’s Lavish South African School For Girls Includes “200 Thread-Count Sheets, A Yoga Studio, Beauty Salon, Indoor And Outdoor Theatres”:
Comments to this post included one by off-center personality and extremist cuthbertallgood calling “people like Oprah and (Bill) Gates” “off-center personalities and extremists.”
And Neutrino74 said, “Why not a school for children instead of exclusively girls? Why not money for teachers instead of art and frill?” (Anyone who has been involved with the arts knows their intrinsic value, and anyone who hasn’t:well, makes comments like that.)
Oprah has planned a second school for both girls and boys, but then the criticism will be”"Why in South Africa. What about us?” And if a school were to be built in Chicago, “Well, what about New York?” Or, “Why only poor people? Middle class white folks have it rough:” or whatever argument would undermine the gift. It’s like devaluing the building of a hospital wing for leukemia-stricken children by saying, “What about muscular dystrophy?” (I experienced this when I raised money for women’s cancer prevention through the Entertainment Industry Foundation, and was asked, “What about men?” My father died of cancer. I know about that intimately, thank you.)
It is a gift. It is her money, and it costs the critics nothing. Today in South Africa, a group of impoverished girls with the motivation to become extraordinary have being given an unparalleled opportunity to do so. It’s a wondrous gift, that inspires them, and us. ~Tartsuite – Ana Maria Montoya
More? You want More?
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January 6, 2007 - 11:34 AM on January 6th, 2007
I agree.
I’m no fan of Oprah’s either.
This school opening in Africa I’ve been watching carefully and I agree about her charity work. Good Gawd. I suspect if one has THAT MUCH MONEY after a bit it begins to be “how much is too much” and you realize it must go to something bigger than us all. For that I applaud her efforst.
As far as that show of hers goes? Beh.
Oprah and Dr. Phil setting the moral code for humanity? I don’t THINK so!
January 6, 2007 - 11:35 AM on January 6th, 2007
Unconventional Thinking
MOGS sent me the following article from the Armed Forces Journal entitled Unconventional Thinking, by Canadian Forces Lt Col Mike Bullock: Opening: At a seminar on the subject of NATO and its further evolution, the basic premise was that the
January 6, 2007 - 11:40 AM on January 6th, 2007
Okay..I find this somewhat funny.
Oprah on the one hand complains of inner city youth WANTING too much but how long has it been that Oprah herself has been taunting and teasing her audiences with FREE GIFTS?
We’re all familiar with her “My Favorite Things” show. This would be when Oprah herself gives out $500 sweaters and $200 bottles of lotion, jumps up and down with glee as she screams, “I just can’t live without these things.”
Come on….she’s tired of hearing kids want iPods and she gives away these swanky gifts and makes people think they HAVE TO HAVE THEM?
Give me a break.
January 6, 2007 - 11:49 AM on January 6th, 2007
That’s a good point Sandy. In the case of her comment about US schools, I took it that she was saying that in this country, the poor expect more and more and there is never a thank-you, nor is there evidence of improvement from said gift. The attitude is what else you got for me.. But in the case of her school, there is much appreciation. You are 100% correct that she does promote that attitude on her show. Even though it may be tied to advertising or her money being given on the show, she is giving away some things that could be construed as “unnecessary”. Rather than her favorite things, she could do necessary for survival to the audience…
Good point.
P.S. Disclaimer..Oprah is not complaning about the criticism..it was me that did this…she said it’s her money and she can do what she wants with it..
January 6, 2007 - 11:53 AM on January 6th, 2007
Oh you are 100% correct if I am reading you right Peejz….we are full of a nation that has our hands out and Jason and I were just discussing this last night. I saw where Oprah was disgusted and on the OTHER hand I do understand. The kids in Africa want school supplies, our kids want junk.
And I do agree…it is HER MONEY and despite my criticism I do believe she has a heart of gold and she does GREAT things with her money….
I just had to say that little bit earlier though…
January 6, 2007 - 11:55 AM on January 6th, 2007
Governor Almost Gets It
Maybe instead of a vote that only the people of Seattle can participate in the Governor should have told the Legislature to let the people of the whole state vote instead.
January 6, 2007 - 04:10 PM on January 6th, 2007
Notes on Marital Bliss
My Beloved Curmudgeon and I have spent the day together so far.
January 6, 2007 - 05:43 PM on January 6th, 2007
January 6, 2007 - 07:45 PM on January 6th, 2007
4- Odd thing is..I knew what you meant:razz:
January 6, 2007 - 10:38 PM on January 6th, 2007
I dont even care to listen to these wackos whater it be DR PHILL or ORPHANED WINDFREAK their too damn liberal
January 6, 2007 - 10:39 PM on January 6th, 2007
#5
I read that there are two white female students.
January 7, 2007 - 02:31 AM on January 7th, 2007
Open Trackback Weekend #36
The open trackback party is now on! Leave a post and I’ll be sure to send a trackback your way. OK, go!
January 7, 2007 - 08:00 AM on January 7th, 2007
Israel Planning Nuclear Strike on Iran?
Israel is planning to strike Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities with bunker buster nukes, Uzi Mahnaimi and Sarah Baxter report in the Sunday Times of London. They cite “several Israeli military sources” who say two Israeli air force s…
January 7, 2007 - 09:58 AM on January 7th, 2007
They are poor and they are African. The skin color isn’t an issue over there like it is here.
January 7, 2007 - 09:58 AM on January 7th, 2007
The World Is Always Watching
There has been much talk lately about the impending message that President Bush will give on Wednesday and the expected announcement of a surge in additional troops to flow into Iraq, mainly in Baghdad and the Anbar Province where the violence is the…
January 7, 2007 - 12:18 PM on January 7th, 2007
Obama, Osama, Er, Ah… The Annointing of a Candid
UPDATED majorly…
January 7, 2007 - 04:53 PM on January 7th, 2007
Romney Watch
It looks like Mitt is surging in Florida. Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney is making Florida a key part of his strategy to challenge front-runners John McCain and Rudy Giuliani for the Republican nomination for president. To carry that off,…
January 7, 2007 - 04:59 PM on January 7th, 2007
Mr. Mayor — Here’s All The “Convenience Store Crime” Program You Need
Down here in Houston, Mayor Bill White wants to do something about the proliferation of convenience store robberies and killings over the last several years — particularly jumping in 2006. He’s forming a “task force”. A new task force will…
January 7, 2007 - 07:05 PM on January 7th, 2007
GeT out God
Contrary to what you learned at college, America from its inception has been a religious country, and was designed to be one.
January 7, 2007 - 10:19 PM on January 7th, 2007
Links To Hollywood
Ryan Reynolds is Ripped – Bumpshack
Josh Hartnett Gets a Blow Job – disted
Tyra Banks isn’t really fat – A Socialites Life
Tara Conner in Miss USA Playboy Spread?-Fatback and Collards
OMG -The Little blond kid from “Who’s the Boss…
January 8, 2007 - 08:17 AM on January 8th, 2007
Oprah Winfery is nut’s, if she loves africa move to africa and get out of here for good. is she really about basic human rights or the power?
race is not a issue Peejz? becuase within 20 years no white people will be in south africa.
just like here, the political, sex, and race laws, are out in front of you but most can’t see what is happening or care. by the way only 2 white female students? is that a joke? both will have kids by age 14.
January 8, 2007 - 09:18 AM on January 8th, 2007
Democrats Now Differ on the War
Looks like all the bluster of the campaign season was just that. The Donks presented a united front against the war and vowed to cut off the purse strings, to bring our troops home. Noe that they have been elected they are differing in points of view…
January 8, 2007 - 09:40 AM on January 8th, 2007
Woman Honor Thyself Wins The Blogger Halo Award!
Voting ended this morning at midnight 12:00AM (CST). There were 140 votes cast. Only one vote per voter was allowed. Angel of Woman Honor Thyself won with 54.3% of the votes (76 votes). The runner-up was Debbie of Right Truth with 25.7% of the votes …
October 16, 2007 - 02:40 PM on October 16th, 2007
[...] Right Voices: [...]