All those Oprah naysayers need to tune into CNN. A teacher who

[babylonsister]

described this opportunity Oprah provided to a young girl (to get an education) as 'a gift from God'.

[Deja Q]

1. She has her good points, I won't be biased.

I'm still not over her insult of American students, or if it's true they do prefer ipods to education, why isn't she (a person of power and influence) talking to our country's leaders about bettering America? The non-influential can only do so much...

[spanone]

2. Does Oprah do anything without a camera crew?

I applaud her generosity, but promotional side of it makes me long for an anonymous donor.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. She has donated over $300,000,000 to charity

I think she can have as many camera crews as she wants.

[hiaasenrocks]

13. Why not just say $300,000,000,000,000,000,000?

What's the real number? There was a Chicago Sun-Times story that quoted someone close to her saying it's $50,000,000. Either way, those are huge numbers, but these discussions often end up going the way of the wildly inaccurate estimates of numbers of people who attend a march or rally.

Who knows?

Point is, whatever she gives, she and/or her handlers make sure that we all know about it.

[mondo joe]

28. And any non profit would WANT to let you know about it.

But you're too bitter about Oprah Winfrey to even consider what would be in the interest of the charities or the people they serve.

[aquart]

9. Of all the...THE CAMERA BRINGS DONATIONS!

You have heard of the Angel Network? Where Oprah gives, other people open their wallets. That gives them a share in the experience. And the good will.

So, YEAH. When Oprah does a good deed, she brings a camera. It focuses on the problem and makes people think about problems they were ignoring.

If you did a good deed and brought a camera, nobody would notice...unless it was the camera Oprah gave you and the good deed was done with money she gave you....then millions of American women would know what you did. And that, I assume is what's so galling.

The pettiness of this place is like a junior high school lunchroom.

[philosophie_en_rose]

21. The "brand" add legitimacy. Like the "Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation"

The Gates foundation is, in my view, superior to Oprah's in every way. It's systematic, funds successful projects in a variety of fields, and creates long term, sustained changes for the better. When I read that something is funded by the Gates foundation, I know that it's probably worthwhile. Perhaps Oprah's name will be the same for others.

For the most part, Oprah is like Christmas. She provides a great deal of happiness for a short duration - like a makeover, a pile of favorite things, or gifts to orphans. I'm glad that she's also publicly investing in something that will have a direct and lasting impact.

[mondo joe]

26. Then you know nothing about non profits. Getting a gift from Oprah would

be welcome by any non profit that knew what it was doing. Her association would be an incredible benefit.

[philosophie_en_rose]

3. Some people will hate Oprah no matter what.

I don't get it.

[Dorian Gray]

11. I don't like her all that much

but she's doing a good thing here and with all her other charities. I don't understand people who can't separate their dislike for her persona from the good she does in this world. You can respect the one while not fawning over the other.

[philosophie_en_rose]

15. Exactly. It's not "all or nothing."

I don't like everything about Oprah. She is, in many ways, extremely elitist. (For example, immigrants are half of my family and I don't appreciate Oprah's condescension towards not using "perfect" English).

However, I don't go out of my way to discount everything she does. In fact, I can't wait to see where the girls in her school end up when they graduate.

[ProfessorGAC]

32. I Agree With The Two Of You

Not nuts about her, and her fawning legions kind of creep me out. But, she does do some very nice things for others.
The Professor

[Don Claybrook]

5. I'm not an Oprah naysayer, but the coverage of the event OTOH...

I was in a food court last week when a CNN piece came on about this school Oprah had built. I don't watch television at home and I had not heard the story up until that point. It sounds like a very good thing she did. But most of the cycles during this story were involved with which top celebrities showed up and what they said about the whole thing, etc. Then the desk dork in Atlanta asked the South African based reporter about the coverage of the story. The desk guy said something like "you cover wars and famine and all sorts of bad things in Africa. Tell me, how did it make you feeeeel to cover this story?" And then the African reporter went on to talk about how emotional he felt, how wonderful it was, and so on. If that's what passes for news now, then no thanks. Maybe I'm oversensitized to tv in general since I don't watch, but it seemed like a story designed to scrape the bottom of the barrel in hopes of getting an emotional response (and attendant commercial buys) out of the viewers. Sorry, this was a little tangental to your story. Good for Oprah; I'm glad she's doing these wonderful things with her wealth.

[babylonsister]

12. I watch a lot of TV and thought it a lovely, positive story.

It had nothing to do with missing or dead blondes, boys in Raleigh who used to play lacrosse, OJ, and even the war or politics.
To me, this was a great tribute to what one person can do with their generosity, and the improvements to an entire country that would result. Oprah sure didn't need the press or notoriety.

[hiaasenrocks]

6. Does the teacher think only 152 girls get a "gift from God"?

What about the other 3,000+ girls who applied but didn't get in? What about the other millions of girls? What will their gift from Oprah and God be?

[Diane R]

14. Precisely.

I read the story, and all I could think about was the little girls who got back on the bus (after getting a 'hug' from Ms. Winfrey), and rode back to their villages only to find they had been rejected.

For 40 million dollars, she could have given so MANY children a wonderful education. Instead, she spent it to make 150 feel really, really special.

[hiaasenrocks]

16. You nailed it.

She also made herself feel special.

I think part of the praise of Oprah is yet more of the American illness of celebrity worship, something that ignores substance and is immune from logical criticism.

Your point about what her money could have done is spot on.

[babylonsister]

19. So you're a naysayer; I now they're out there.

And I'm NOT into celebrity worship, nor do I watch her often. Ignores substance? Boy, you think highly of yourself.
RE: the money, this is the first year. Many more children will pass through this school.

[donheld]

45. Babylonsister, some are never satisfied

Oprah gives Millions but still people demand more. This tread says she has given between $50 million and 300 million and still people whine that it's not enough. If she opened schools all 3000 girls, they'd find 3000 more who need educating, and demand Oprah open schools for them too. It would just kill some even here at DU to say "Oprah has a big heart."

Yes she has cameras. Oprah hasn't had a private moment in at least 20 years, but it's better she let her cameras do the story than have the National Enquirer put their spin on it.

She may indeed have a big ego, but i'm sure if we were her, we'd find it hard not to be the same way.

[wundermaus]

23. It breaks my heart a thousand, thousand times...

for every one of those helpless children condemned to a slow, agonizing death... when hope was so close... when they were turned away and told they were not worthy of a generous hand nor a compassionate heart... oh, dear God... how bitter is such a great gift offered to a child and then taken away!

[oasis]

17. Keep on complaining. Maybe Oprah'll donate a kidney to one of them.

:eyes:

[philosophie_en_rose]

18. Should she not help anyone, because she can't help everyone?

Oprah's school is just starting. More pupils will be admitted each year and she's already building a co-ed school in South Africa too. Seems like a good start.

[babylonsister]

20. Thank you for that! Right on! nt

[TheMadMonk]

29. No, but I have a very strong suspiscion that the doctors,lawyers, etc

her school will create, will end up here in Australia, and other affluent countries when they graduate, rather than helping their own.

Elitist systems mainly create more elitists. All across Africa the story is the same when top down methods are tried. A handful of corrupt individuals grab control of the majority of the wealth and exploit the great unwashed masses to further their profits. Those few educated AND altruistic all too often are left with the choices of flee or die.

From the bottom up, Oprah's 40 million could have been used to educate tens of thousands to a basic mid-high school level, roughly that of a well educated 16 year old in the late 1800's. And these in turn could bring millions to the point of completing grade school.

And with THAT base to work from, things could really get done.

Outside of the industrial enclaves of the big cities they don't want or need engineers who are lost without half a billion dollars in infrastructure behind them. They need bush mechanics who can mend a broken subframe with baling twine and sticks. They don't need computerised Mitsubishi Landcruisers, that must be discarded after the first breakdown, they need EH Holdens, that go forever and can be repaired by any blacksmith with a treadle lathe as his most sophisticated tool.

Teachers with tenth grade educations, half baked doctors who can perform basic surgery, blacksmiths, wainrights, coopers, old school carpenters. Africa needs the people who pioneered America. Africa as a whole must first enter the 19th Century before it can be brought into the 20th, let alone the 21st.

[Catherine Vincent]

30. Those are some good points. n/t

[mondo joe]

34. Well that's the funny thing bout contributions - the person giving takes the

gamble on what will happen. Oprah didn't use anyone's $ but her own to bank on HER suspicions.

[Connie_Corleone]

22. Why not build a school for EVERY girl in South Africa?/sarcasm

Come on. At least she built the school. And she's building another school. You want her to adopt the orphans too?

[mondo joe]

27. What a totally fucked up way of looking at it.

By your rationale no one should give anything to any charity.

[Beaverhausen]

38. Oprah isn't responsible for every girl in the world

How many have you helped?

[Initech]

7. I can totally understand where Oprah is coming from.

My bro is working as a teacher in the area of Los Angeles commonly referred to as "the ghetto". He's told me some pretty fucked-up stories.

[CurtEastPoint]

8. I have to admit, I watch Oprah (unless it's one of the 'girl' shows...)

and she is inspiring. Yes, she does things in front of the camera but I really don't think at this point it's to say "Hey, see how good I am." It's more like ... "come help out. You'll be richly rewarded for giving."

American would be a much better place if more people put their money (talents, time, etc.) where their big mouths are. Are you listening, GOP?

[babylonsister]

24. Anyone with beaucoup bucks should be emulating her. And welcome

to DU,, CurtEastPoint!
She's publicizing perhaps because she would welcome the help and you're right, people would be richly rewarded for participating.

[Catherine Vincent]

10. I applaud what Ms. Winfrey is doing.

That is a great thing! The only thing I kind of frown on is what she said about some inner city kids and what they asked for. I suppose they said all of that because everyone knows that Oprah gives out these extravagant gifts on her show. They probably thought that is what she wanted to hear. I don't know. But she could be taken out of context and it probably is true that they asked for that stuff.

Keep on keeping on Oprah! :thumbsup:

[LostInAnomie]

25. Wow! Oprah opened a school!? Who knew!?

She must have skipped the week long media blitz and shameless self promotion that normally goes along with any time she does anything charitable.

Oh, wait... she didn't.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

31. I don't think the Oprah naysayers really give a shit...

about young girls in Africa.

[Midlodemocrat]

33. How about all the naysayers put up or shut up?

Until you donate like she does, your opinion on what she does means nada. She's very generous and she doesn't have the luxury of some of the older foundations in that she doesn't have decades of interest to count on.

She's doing a great thing. I applaud her.

[951-Riverside]

35. How about you shut up and let the naysayers speak

...j/k :D

Anyway I can't donate like she does because well... I'm not rich but I were rich the American people would be my first priority not some private girls school in Africa that caters to those who have in Africa. There are people in the United States who need homes, winter fuel, food, rent, etc.

I understand its her money and she can do whatever she wants with it but she crossed the line when she insulted and unfairly categorized American's who barely making a living. I guess she forgot she was also an American without and if someone didn't give her a chance she would have never BEEN.

[Midlodemocrat]

36. It's not the amount, although she does give gobs

It's the intention.

And, I think people give based on their own experiences and choices. My own giving this year, including my donation through DU to Second Harvest was because of my SIL and her early and tragic death.

So many people PM'd me during the Second Harvest drive about my 'challenge' and they were incredibly humbling and inspiring because their donation was far more of a sacrifice than mine was.

That's what gets me here with the pissing and moaning. She has such good intentions, she's putting her money where her mouth is, how about we let her work the kinks out of this school and go on to fulfill her dream of others before we trash her?

I think she just wants to make a difference.

:hi:

[oasis]

41. Oprah promised Nelson Mandella 5 yrs. ago that she would build a school.

I missed the part where she "insulted" and "categorized" Americans. In her MANY visits to inner city schools, Oprah observed that American kids did not have the same thirst for learning as students in South Africa.

Oprah merely stated the facts as she understood them to be.

And another thing, Oprah has never forgotten about her impoverished life in Mississippi and she spoke openly about it to reporters while at the school. She said, "I see myself in these girls".

Chris Rock, Tina Turner and Mariah Carey accompanied her on the trip, which will broaden their awareness of the difficulties faced by kids in distant places.

The only complaint I have about Oprah is.... that there is only one of her.

[sandnsea]

44. Give those kids a $40 million school

And watch them have a thirst for learning. She has made many dismissive and insulting comments about people in need over the years, this is just one more among many. I remember when she was really really fat, criticizing a family member because they smoked. She saw him as 'hating himself', as if her fat didn't say the same thing about her. She does a lot of good, but she can be very hurtful too. I don't care what she does with her money, but she blames people in this country for being poor and that's just wrong.

[sandnsea]

43. Stick to her nasty insults

I don't think anybody cares where she spends her money. It's her nasty comments that are the problem. Would be better not to confuse the two.

[underpants]

37. The time is ripe for an "outsider" to run for POTUS

the job is Oprah's if she wants it.

I've been meaning to post on this but haven't until now.

It is hers if she wants it.

[Bake]

39. You're joking, right?

Please tell me you're joking. The O has about as much business being President as the Baby Bush does. I'm not exactly sure The O has any more command of economics, foreign relations, domestic poitics, etc. than W does.

And we know where THAT got us.

Bake

[underpants]

40. Nope

I'm not kidding.

Now governing is another matter (as we see on a daily basis) but as far as running and all that goes with it-she has it sitting right in front of her. She would be next to impossible to beat.

[sandnsea]

42. Nobody criticized her opening a school

We criticized her nasty comments about kids in this country. Gosh, I wonder if she opened a school with beauty salon, massage treatments, ampitheatre, library with fireplace, kitchen with marble countertops, 1 teacher per 15 kids - would she be called an angel by every inner city parent too?? Well duh. That's what people criticized, not that she was opening a school in Africa.

[Maine-ah]

46. it's funny, nobody was bitching about Oprah

when she brought her cameras into NOLA. :eyes:

and on edit:

I think Oprah was darn right about kids in America. We are so commercialized, have to have the most current technology in your pocket, ect.... lots of kids don't think how important their education is, it's the dumbing down of America. If the kids don't realize how important their education is, then it's the parent's faults for not instilling those values into their kids. Oprah can't fix that problem, parents have to fix it. JMHO.

now, go ahead and flame away if you like.

[Midlodemocrat]

47. Or her checkbook.

She built a lot of homes, IIRC. She does good things and I admire her.