NationStates Jolt Archive

I really, truly, honestly hate Oprah. I find her to be a shallow bitch who tries to appear important by addressing "issues" on her show.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

Not to mention how many decent schools she could've opened for the price of that one stupid, wasteful, opulent one.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

What the hell do you expect?

I know nothing of this school and all I know of Oprah is that she has a TV show of the same name.

why is Oprah still alive:confused:

What the hell do you expect?

South Africa: White 10%
So...one might think maybe 1% of her students might be white?

why is Oprah still alive:confused:

I think it was an accident.

I really, truly, honestly hate Oprah. I find her to be a shallow bitch who tries to appear important by addressing "issues" on her show.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

Not to mention how many decent schools she could've opened for the price of that one stupid, wasteful, opulent one.

oprah IS important because she discusses issues on her show. maybe you dont like that but its true.

she decided to pay for a school for black girls in south africa. what is it to you that its only for black girls? i see that you are outraged over the black part but have no problem with denying boys the opportunity.

she has more money than god and she has decided to use it for some good projects. whats to hate her for?

Her moral superiority crap gets a bit irritating. And I think she proved her obsession with public image during that whole James Frey fiasco.

South Africa: White 10%
So...one might think maybe 1% of her students might be white?
Not necessarily. Black South Africans are significantly less wealthy and well educated than white South Africans (on average). Besides, from what I've heard more students are going to be accepted to the school. Who's to say none of them are going to be white?

How about for discrimination? If all male places can be required to have females why not require that all female school to have males? And whites, and asians...there are a lot of them in South Africa.

And her issues.....well that does not make her important. I can't agree with Zarkon and say I hate her..... but I can say she annoys me with thinking she is better then anyone else because she does have this show with issues.

Oh yeah! The fact that it was a girls-only school pissed me off too. You're telling me there's no poor boys?

Mostly because all the rich white people fled the country to save themselves from the racist government.
Urmm, most of the rich white people seemingly ran after Apartheid ended, so that they didn't get rightfully strung up for supporting the regime.

Her moral superiority crap gets a bit irritating. And I think she proved her obsession with public image during that whole James Frey fiasco.

That was the million little pieces thing, right?

Also, I would love to know who voted "you stupid fucker racist" and then didn't even bother posting.

Even if the school is for poor children, there are poor white people in South Africa.

Mostly because all the rich white people fled the country to save themselves from the racist government.

oprah IS important because she discusses issues on her show. maybe you dont like that but its true.

she decided to pay for a school for black girls in south africa. what is it to you that its only for black girls? i see that you are outraged over the black part but have no problem with denying boys the opportunity.

she has more money than god and she has decided to use it for some good projects. whats to hate her for?

How about for discrimination? If all male places can be required to have females why not require that all female school to have males? And whites, and asians...there are a lot of them in South Africa.

And her issues.....well that does not make her important. I can't agree with Zarkon and say I hate her..... but I can say she annoys me with thinking she is better then anyone else because she does have this show with issues.

*is annoyed by people ranting about other people and how they use their money*

good question...heck I did not even vote in the poll:headbang:

This is why people should click the "Make threads public" box.

That was the million little pieces thing, right?

Also, I would love to know who voted "you stupid fucker racist" and then didn't even bother posting.

good question...heck I did not even vote in the poll:headbang:

I care Oprah about as much as I care for Dr. Phil, which is close to nothing. I honestly don't like shows that capitalize on other people's grief and/or problems.
But I find it quite normal that there are no caucasian students on her school, as I doubt that they are the ones in need of assistance.

Oh yeah! The fact that it was a girls-only school pissed me off too. You're telling me there's no poor boys?

She made the school girls-only because if she hadn't, parents would have sent their sons there. She started the school to help disadvantaged girls because even the most disadvantaged boy in South Africa is not nearly as disadvantaged as the most disadvantaged girl. So, you're bitching that she spent money helping those who need it the most and not those who need it less.

Way to prove you have no idea what you are talking about. That's why you and your hateful little tirade against a person who is your better by aeons can be so easily dismissed.

That was the million little pieces thing, right?

Also, I would love to know who voted "you stupid fucker racist" and then didn't even bother posting.

Yeaaaah, that's it. I loved how she originally was supporting him, and then jumped ship as soon as she found out the angry sweaty masses disagreed.

It's her money, she can do whatever the hell she wants with it.

I really, truly, honestly hate Oprah. I find her to be a shallow bitch who tries to appear important by addressing "issues" on her show.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

Not to mention how many decent schools she could've opened for the price of that one stupid, wasteful, opulent one.

Oprah is crazy.

Urmm, most of the rich white people seemingly ran after Apartheid ended, so that they didn't get rightfully strung up for supporting the regime.
But not all. A friend of mine's brother just lost his farm to the South African government because he was white, and not enough of the farms in his area were owned by blacks. So they took his.

Regardless of what the previous government did, this one is still racist.

I know nothing of this school and all I know of Oprah is that she has a TV show of the same name.

same.

/one word posting is frowned upon.

How about for discrimination? If all male places can be required to have females why not require that all female school to have males? And whites, and asians...there are a lot of them in South Africa.


its her money. she wants to educate dirt poor black african girls. her whole school is ridiculously luxurious but thats her problem. she cant save every african but she can pick and choose a few. good for her.


And her issues.....well that does not make her important. I can't agree with Zarkon and say I hate her..... but I can say she annoys me with thinking she is better then anyone else because she does have this show with issues.

it does make her important. she makes a suggestion on her show and thousands of people respond. she highlights an issue and millions of people are educated on something they never knew before. if oprah puts a book on her bookclub it sells so well that the bookstores cant keep it in stock. if oprah recommends a movie a few hundred thousand people go see it who wouldnt have otherwise.

im not in love with oprah. many things about her annoy me. but she is a very important woman.

Oh yeah! The fact that it was a girls-only school pissed me off too. You're telling me there's no poor boys?

Open a school for poor white South African boys, then.

*is annoyed by people ranting about other people and how they use their money*

QFT.

its her money. she wants to educate dirt poor black african girls. her whole school is ridiculously luxurious but thats her problem. she cant save every african but she can pick and choose a few. good for her.



it does make her important. she makes a suggestion on her show and thousands of people respond. she highlights an issue and millions of people are educated on something they never knew before. if oprah puts a book on her bookclub it sells so well that the bookstores cant keep it in stock. if oprah recommends a movie a few hundred thousand people go see it who wouldnt have otherwise.

im not in love with oprah. many things about her annoy me. but she is a very important woman.



But if a rich white person opened up a school there for say poor white males only.... he would be flamed in the world press....and by the same people defending oprah as a racist and for discrimination.....

So why the double standards?

Take the post a lil above this one about the person who lost their farm because they were white and there were not enough blacks in the neighborhood? How can that be morally right? What happened to the demand for equality?

But if a rich white person opened up a school there for say poor white males only.... he would be flamed in the world press....and by the same people defending oprah as a racist and for discrimination.....

So why the double standards?

Take the post a lil above this one about the person who lost their farm because they were white and there were not enough blacks in the neighborhood? How can that be morally right? What happened to the demand for equality?

its not unusual for someone to start a school for rich white boys.

you dont know what anyone would do if some rich person started a charity school for poor white boys somewhere where that makes sense.

they havent done it.

when it happens, we'll see what the justification is and how people respond.

what the government does to people is quite different from what someone does for charity. it may or may not have been morally right for them to take that family's farm, i dont know the details. i do know that it has nothing to do with oprah's school.

Okay, this thread is showing some class-A ignorance about South Africa.

One, at best, you are going to find a lower middle class White South African. Compare that to the thousands of blacks living in slums.

Two, girls are under-represented in the South African education system. The ones who don't get raped to death by the age of 10 are often stuck at home looking after AIDS orphans, so this move by Oprah is working to address that balance.

You can't just cut-and-paste the same arguments against positive discrimination into South Africa. There is a genuine need for something like this.



In other news: I have little or no opinion about Oprah Winfrey.

Okay, this thread is showing some class-A ignorance about South Africa.

One, at best, you are going to find a lower middle class White South African. Compare that to the thousands of blacks living in slums.

Two, girls are under-represented in the South African education system. The ones who don't get raped to death by the age of 10 are often stuck at home looking after AIDS orphans, so this move by Oprah is working to address that balance.

You can't just cut-and-paste the same arguments against positive discrimination into South Africa. There is a genuine need for something like this.



In other news: I have little or no opinion about Oprah Winfrey.

No kidding. This thread reads a lot like a bunch of people are upset that an uppity black woman is daring to spend her money in a way they don't approve of.

No kidding. This thread reads a lot like a bunch of people are upset that an uppity black woman is daring to spend her money in a way they don't approve of.

personally I do not care if she is an uppity black or white woman , or that she is rich or how she spends her money......

nothing wrong with positive discrimination either......but there is a time it has to end and there is a place that disrimination of any kind should not happen.

I also wonder who will lead the world into the hoped for dream of color blindness. FInding a middle ground to help one group without seriously hurting another which will just drive people into looking to get even is just as important as the so called dream of forcing everyone to be equal. Equality fairness will never happen so long as it has to be forced into happening.

personally I do not care if she is an uppity black or white woman , or that she is rich or how she spends her money......

nothing wrong with positive discrimination either......but there is a time it has to end and there is a place that disrimination of any kind should not happen.

I also wonder who will lead the world into the hoped for dream of color blindness. FInding a middle ground to help one group without seriously hurting another which will just drive people into looking to get even is just as important as the so called dream of forcing everyone to be equal. Equality fairness will never happen so long as it has to be forced into happening.

but thats just a rant right? it has nothing to do with oprah's school.

right?

personally I do not care if she is an uppity black or white woman , or that she is rich or how she spends her money......

nothing wrong with positive discrimination either......but there is a time it has to end and there is a place that disrimination of any kind should not happen.

I also wonder who will lead the world into the hoped for dream of color blindness. FInding a middle ground to help one group without seriously hurting another which will just drive people into looking to get even is just as important as the so called dream of forcing everyone to be equal. Equality fairness will never happen so long as it has to be forced into happening.

About the only way you're going to get to that colorblind world--which I hope for as well--is to remove the barriers that people like the girls in Oprah's school face. In that sense, this sort of thing is the best possible thing to get rid of those barriers.

No kidding. This thread reads a lot like a bunch of people are upset that an uppity black woman is daring to spend her money in a way they don't approve of.

Actually, I disagree with that. When you are using your money to meddle in the affairs of a foreign country, then I think you have to be very, very careful with what you are doing, and "its my money and I'll spend it as I like" doesn't cut it if you are perhaps going to create serious cultural problems. I'm not accusing Oprah of this, but I think the principle stands.

About the only way you're going to get to that colorblind world--which I hope for as well--is to remove the barriers that people like the girls in Oprah's school face. In that sense, this sort of thing is the best possible thing to get rid of those barriers.


your right but in it's own way it will not help it just causes more of a divide because of those who are not included. Those who are left out of anything will always feel discriminated against and will want to "get even".


it is a messed up world we live in .

Yes, I hate Oprah.

I think that Oprah is basically well-intentioned, but she has become extremely full of herself and largely alienated from how things work in the real world. My girlfriend likes her show, and one time I saw her interviewing Cory Booker, the mayor of Newark, NJ... and she actually turned her nose down on him because he renounces the life of wealth that he could have because he believes that living in a situation more like that of his constituents helps them to deal with their problems. She said, "Do you really think you can't be rich and help the poor?" Her arrogance was sickening.

As for the school, Oprah went out on her own with that one without really consulting the South African government. The government, of course, has its own very progressive plan for establishing sustainable, equal education--and they feel that her school is actually counter-productive. [Yes, South Africa is really concerned about such things. I'm currently in the process of filling out a government research grant application, and one of the items reads, "For aging white male academics and foreign researchers, please provide a detailed succession strategy" (explaining, that is, how a black South African woman will take over the work one day).]

Still, Oprah is well-intentioned... and my colleagues and I are willing to take her money if she'd be willing to put it into a more sustainable project. We are working on a project which will, among other things, establish locally run women's centers across South Africa. We're hoping to get Oprah to contribute... and fortunately, the lead researcher happens to be close friends with Toni Morrison, whom Oprah seems to worship.

Maybe my respect for her will improve if Toni actually gets her to contribute. Then again, I doubt it. Even if she does this one thing right, I still loathe that ridiculous show of hers.

The government, of course, has its own very progressive plan for establishing sustainable, equal education--and they feel that her school is actually counter-productive.

This is the same government which recommends "Dr. Onion" as a cure for AIDS.

I'm not sure why you're all bitching and complaining. Oprah is rich, and chooses to give that money to others out of her own generosity. Whether she decides to open a blood donating center, or a black girls school... you should be thankful for what she decides to actually give to the world. Because hell, would you rather that all rich people start to withhold on this generosity? I imagine you'd be bitching about that then. I should probably point out that whilst you see the show as profiteering from the problems of others, I believe it more to be highlighting the issues of today's society, and then working out a way on how to fix them. Whether that generates a profit is irrelevant... Oprah is a popular show, and a good amount of money goes out to helping others.

Your ignorance is astounding.

... and she actually turned her nose down on him because he renounces the life of wealth that he could have because he believes that living in a situation more like that of his constituents helps them to deal with their problems. She said, "Do you really think you can't be rich and help the poor?" Her arrogance was sickening.

Maybe it's got something to do with the fact that he was virtually denouncing her? You forget that Oprah is very rich, and also loves to give to the poor... the guy was virtually saying that this was impossible, completely ignoring all of her own contributions. His ignorance was sickening.

As for the school, Oprah went out on her own with that one without really consulting the South African government. The government, of course, has its own very progressive plan for establishing sustainable, equal education--and they feel that her school is actually counter-productive.

Who really cares what the South African government thinks? Just have a look at their nation as a whole, do you really think they know how to manage their social problems? I for one am thankful that people like her are stepping up in the world, trying to patch up for society's gaps. South African Black Women need a helping hand in that nation, the school aims to empower them.

Still, Oprah is well-intentioned... and my colleagues and I are willing to take her money if she'd be willing to put it into a more sustainable project. We are working on a project which will, among other things, establish locally run women's centers across South Africa. We're hoping to get Oprah to contribute... and fortunately, the lead researcher happens to be close friends with Toni Morrison, whom Oprah seems to worship.

Talk about hypocrisy. You openly state that you hate Oprah, and that she's an arrogant bitch who doesn't do things the right thing... but, we'll take her money... :rolleyes: You can hate Oprah, but don't take her money if you don't believe in what she's doing.

*is annoyed by people ranting about other people and how they use their money*
*Uses his money to launch a fleet of zeppelins with "Ruffy Sucks" written on the side in bright red letters*

Oprah is just another rich person so obsessed with herself that she refuses to just shut up, which makes her just like everyone else except that she has money. So, yeah, I do hate her.

Oprah is just another rich person so obsessed with herself that she refuses to just shut up, which makes her just like everyone else except that she has money. So, yeah, I do hate her.

I sense somebody's bitter about their own money situation.

your right but in it's own way it will not help it just causes more of a divide because of those who are not included. Those who are left out of anything will always feel discriminated against and will want to "get even".


it is a messed up world we live in .The stupid thing is that the majority of the people who will be complaining about discrimination are of the class that has been doing the discriminating all along. The whole "reverse discrimination" argument is usually little more than an argument for a maintenance of the status quo.

I really, truly, honestly hate Oprah. I find her to be a shallow bitch who tries to appear important by addressing "issues" on her show.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

Not to mention how many decent schools she could've opened for the price of that one stupid, wasteful, opulent one.

Ok. She opened a school for poor kids. In South Africa the whites don't tend to be poor. The blacks do. I support her decision to open this school. In the US at least one tabloid rag is bitching about her decision to open the school in Africa instead of in the US. They say she "insulted" American students.

Fuck American students. Oprah gave a good explanation of why she chose to open it in S. Africa. When asked what they need American students say "An Ipod", "A playstation" or trendy, expensive clothes. African kids just ask for stuff like some pencils or a school uniform so they can have a chance to learn. American students are lazy and virtually worthless by comparison to the African kids.

Ok. She opened a school for poor kids. In South Africa the whites don't tend to be poor. The blacks do. I support her decision to open this school. In the US at least one tabloid rag is bitching about her decision to open the school in Africa instead of in the US. They say she "insulted" American students.

Fuck American students. Oprah gave a good explanation of why she chose to open it in S. Africa. When asked what they need American students say "An Ipod", "A playstation" or trendy, expensive clothes. African kids just ask for stuff like some pencils or a school uniform so they can have a chance to learn. American students are lazy and virtually worthless by comparison to the African kids.

the weird part is that she takes kids who only want to learn and puts them in a school with more luxuries than the spoiled american kids would ever dream of asking for.

as if to make tomorrows leaders you must provide them with massages today.

the weird part is that she takes kids who only want to learn and puts them in a school with more luxuries than the spoiled american kids would ever dream of asking for.

as if to make tomorrows leaders you must provide them with massages today.One thing you do have to teach them is how to react in high society (for lack of a better term)--you can't just take a person from a low economic class, run a comb through his or her hair and expect them to know what to do in a situation that requires diplomatic tact. That's part of the educational process at this school, just like it is in most elite schools in the rest of the world.

Actually I could give a lil personal proof of having seen it myself at least in a bad sense but it does not belong here on this thread. And I can not argue with you on a few wanting to keep the status quo....I pick my battles for when I actually beleive in them.:p

Certainly there are individual examples of legitimate reverse discrimination, but when looked at overall, the fact is that most of the people who make that argument belong to the class that has been doing the discriminating, that has had the privilege and doesn't want to lose it.

The stupid thing is that the majority of the people who will be complaining about discrimination are of the class that has been doing the discriminating all along. The whole "reverse discrimination" argument is usually little more than an argument for a maintenance of the status quo.


Actually I could give a lil personal proof of having seen it myself at least in a bad sense but it does not belong here on this thread. And I can not argue with you on a few wanting to keep the status quo....I pick my battles for when I actually beleive in them.:p

Talk about hypocrisy. You openly state that you hate Oprah, and that she's an arrogant bitch who doesn't do things the right thing... but, we'll take her money... :rolleyes: You can hate Oprah, but don't take her money if you don't believe in what she's doing.

My money is the same as her money, once the South African government has it.

One thing you do have to teach them is how to react in high society (for lack of a better term)--you can't just take a person from a low economic class, run a comb through his or her hair and expect them to know what to do in a situation that requires diplomatic tact. That's part of the educational process at this school, just like it is in most elite schools in the rest of the world.

all im saying is that is ODD to diss american kids for wanting the stuff that she is training her school girls to think of as necessary.

all im saying is that is ODD to diss american kids for wanting the stuff that she is training her school girls to think of as necessary.

Well, in DCD's post, he said the US students referred to things like iPods or Playstations or trendy clothes as "needs" instead of wants, while the African students were asking for basic supplies like pencils and notebooks. So I don't blame her for wanting to reward that behavior by providing luxuries to girls who will hopefully become part of the next generation of leaders of their country.

I sense somebody's bitter about their own money situation.
You misunderstand, I don't hate her because she's just like everyone else, but with money. I hate her because she's just like everyone else, but with money.

Well, in DCD's post, he said the US students referred to things like iPods or Playstations or trendy clothes as "needs" instead of wants, while the African students were asking for basic supplies like pencils and notebooks. So I don't blame her for wanting to reward that behavior by providing luxuries to girls who will hopefully become part of the next generation of leaders of their country.

you dont find it odd that someone would diss one group for WANTING ipods, playstatsions and trendy clothes then REWARD the more modest group with these same kinds of things? (minus the playstations i think)

isnt she just transforming these girls into the same kind of people she is dissing? kids are kids. if you give them the idea that they somehow deserve luxury, they will believe you. if its wrong for american kids to want luxury items why wont it be wrong for the south african girls to feel the same way?

you dont find it odd that someone would diss one group for WANTING ipods, playstatsions and trendy clothes then REWARD the more modest group with these same kinds of things? (minus the playstations i think)

isnt she just transforming these girls into the same kind of people she is dissing? kids are kids. if you give them the idea that they somehow deserve luxury, they will believe you. if its wrong for american kids to want luxury items why wont it be wrong for the south african girls to feel the same way?

The key difference for me--and I didn't read the article, so I could be wrong here--is between "want" and "need." I don't have a problem with students wanting iPods and Playstations--I have one of each myself and got them when I was a student. But I would never go so far as to say I need one. In DCD's post, he referred to the US students as saying these luxury items were needs, which they are not, while the African students said notebooks and pencils were needs, which they are. I have no problem with dissing any student who says an iPod or a Playstation is a need.

Truth is, in the United States, every child whether they are a citizen or not, has the right to an education provided at the tax-payer's expense. Whether they piss it away or make something of it is up to the individual child.

Is there a government-funded educational system in South Africa which will give every child the opportunity to make the best of their education, or is this filling a desperate need?

I wonder how many people seriously think I'm a racist...

The key difference for me--and I didn't read the article, so I could be wrong here--is between "want" and "need." I don't have a problem with students wanting iPods and Playstations--I have one of each myself and got them when I was a student. But I would never go so far as to say I need one. In DCD's post, he referred to the US students as saying these luxury items were needs, which they are not, while the African students said notebooks and pencils were needs, which they are. I have no problem with dissing any student who says an iPod or a Playstation is a need.

i looked up an article on the opening of the school. it had quite a few direct quotes from oprah and it honestly made me think that she was using the school as a way to make up for her own unfortunate upbringing--something that many parents do. i dont have a huge problem with that but i think she is going to be surprised at how even dirt poor girls from south africa can be convinced that they need the same things that american kids think they need.

i didnt like oprahs remarks about american kids. there is no fault in wanting the things that it seems like every other kid has just because your family is too poor to get them for you. its a human failing not an inner-city-black-teen failing.

the problem with so many american kids, poor and rich, is that they dont value education. too many kids are deliberately ignorant and deliberately saboutage their futures by not paying attention in school.

if oprah had confined her criticism to that, i would support her attitude. she certainly can do far more good building a school in africa than she can by building a school in the united states. lack of facilities is not the biggest problem in this country even in places where the facilities are substandard. but no, she criticised american kids for not being humble enough. well fuck her. those kids dont need to reign in their desire for the better things in life, they need to understand what it takes to get them.

i looked up an article on the opening of the school. it had quite a few direct quotes from oprah and it honestly made me think that she was using the school as a way to make up for her own unfortunate upbringing--something that many parents do. i dont have a huge problem with that but i think she is going to be surprised at how even dirt poor girls from south africa can be convinced that they need the same things that american kids think they need.

i didnt like oprahs remarks about american kids. there is no fault in wanting the things that it seems like every other kid has just because your family is too poor to get them for you. its a human failing not an inner-city-black-teen failing.

the problem with so many american kids, poor and rich, is that they dont value education. too many kids are deliberately ignorant and deliberately saboutage their futures by not paying attention in school.

if oprah had confined her criticism to that, i would support her attitude. she certainly can do far more good building a school in africa than she can by building a school in the united states. lack of facilities is not the biggest problem in this country even in places where the facilities are substandard. but no, she criticised american kids for not being humble enough. well fuck her. those kids dont need to reign in their desire for the better things in life, they need to understand what it takes to get them.


I suppose that my view is a bit different, working in schools and seeing the attitude she is criticizing. Too many students act as if they know everything (which their grades show clearly is untrue) and that their education is a bother and distraction from their PsPs, iPods, and Sidekicks.

When it's all provided for you and you have nothing but contempt, then why give more?

When you have little and are grateful for the opportunity to improve yourself, why not give more?

i looked up an article on the opening of the school. it had quite a few direct quotes from oprah and it honestly made me think that she was using the school as a way to make up for her own unfortunate upbringing--something that many parents do. i dont have a huge problem with that but i think she is going to be surprised at how even dirt poor girls from south africa can be convinced that they need the same things that american kids think they need.

i didnt like oprahs remarks about american kids. there is no fault in wanting the things that it seems like every other kid has just because your family is too poor to get them for you. its a human failing not an inner-city-black-teen failing.

the problem with so many american kids, poor and rich, is that they dont value education. too many kids are deliberately ignorant and deliberately saboutage their futures by not paying attention in school.

if oprah had confined her criticism to that, i would support her attitude. she certainly can do far more good building a school in africa than she can by building a school in the united states. lack of facilities is not the biggest problem in this country even in places where the facilities are substandard. but no, she criticised american kids for not being humble enough. well fuck her. those kids dont need to reign in their desire for the better things in life, they need to understand what it takes to get them.


I suppose that my view is a bit different, working in schools and seeing the attitude she is criticizing. Too many students act as if they know everything (which their grades show clearly is untrue) and that their education is a bother and distraction from their PsPs, iPods, and Sidekicks.

When it's all provided for you and you have nothing but contempt, then why give more?

When you have little and are grateful for the opportunity to improve yourself, why not give more?

It's the sense of ENTITLEMENT that really rankles here.

I wonder how many people seriously think I'm a racist...

its your own fault for putting it in as a poll option.

id guess that unless they posted a convincing rant about you, they just chose that answer because they dont care about oprah but cant pass up a poll.

You misunderstand, I don't hate her because she's just like everyone else, but with money. I hate her because she's just like everyone else, but with money.

Not really. The average common human does very little to contribute to his/her society. People such as Oprah, strive to benefit humankind.

More specifically, this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropist) would describe Oprah Winfrey.

Also, taken from Wikipedia.
Oprah Gail Winfrey (born January 29, 1954, is an American multiple-Emmy Award winning host of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the highest rated talk show in television history.[1] She is also an influential book critic, an Academy Award-nominated actress, and a magazine publisher. She has been ranked the richest African American of the 20th century[2], the most philanthropic African American of all time,[3] and the world's only Black billionaire for three straight years.[4][5][6][7] She is also, according to several assessments, the most influential woman in the world.[8]

Initially, I liked and respected her. After all, she came from a poor background and made the best use of the opportunities that came her way. She has, like so many celebrities, decided that her status gives her the right to judge what the rest of us should do with our money, lives, etc. I have no use for her or any celebrity that uses celebrity status for political and social reasons. Yes, they have a right to their opinions, but I don't like them shoving their opinions on the rest of us, any more than I want my neighbor shoving his opinion on me. As one person said to a well-known singer who was pushing her opinions, "shut up and sing."

More specifically, this (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philanthropist)

This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch) does so even better.

This (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitch) does so even better.

It's great to see that we're all willing to support, or even assist those out there who are willing to benefit the rest of humanity. :rolleyes:

Where would the world be without people like Zarakon, people who are mostly willing to only bitch and moan at the world and its good-doers, and its evil-doers... and well, mostly everything actually... really without any basis or fact involved... nono, we don't ever need those things.

Congratulations, you have won a lucky gold star.

I wouldn't be a fan of Oprah Winfrey, but as daytime television talk shows go, she's probably the best. The average American is probably ignorant to a lot of things including the plight in South Africa. Her show does help people to become aware of a lot of issues. She does have a LOT of money, but at least she does something to help people.

A girls' school in South Africa is a great idea. But $40 million for a school for 150 girls? The intention was good, but for that amount of money for one school is ridiculous. There are over 47 million people in South Africa. Surely she could've built a number of adquate and not opulent schools for that amount of money? I guess that a school is better for those 152 girls than no school. But what do these girls do when they're finished in school? Will they be expected to return to their slums after being accustomed to a life of luxury in a boarding school? Will Oprah also pay for their college fees to help them acheive something after their fine schooling among an establishment that includes a beauty parlour? Or will they worry about being dumped in the gutter Eliza Doolittle (of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady fame) style? Because giving someone an education, promoting ideas, and then ignoring them can have tragic consequences.

I wouldn't be a fan of Oprah Winfrey, but as daytime television talk shows go, she's probably the best. The average American is probably ignorant to a lot of things including the plight in South Africa. Her show does help people to become aware of a lot of issues. She does have a LOT of money, but at least she does something to help people.

A girls' school in South Africa is a great idea. But $40 million for a school for 150 girls? The intention was good, but for that amount of money for one school is ridiculous. There are over 47 million people in South Africa. Surely she could've built a number of adquate and not opulent schools for that amount of money? I guess that a school is better for those 152 girls than no school. But what do these girls do when they're finished in school? Will they be expected to return to their slums after being accustomed to a life of luxury in a boarding school? Will Oprah also pay for their college fees to help them acheive something after their fine schooling among an establishment that includes a beauty parlour? Or will they worry about being dumped in the gutter Eliza Doolittle (of Pygmalion/My Fair Lady fame) style? Because giving someone an education, promoting ideas, and then ignoring them can have tragic consequences.

yeah i know what you mean. i dont "hate" her for helping out these girls but its too bad that she couldnt drop the luxury down a bit and serve more girls. i dont think that it should have been bare bones but its well over the top--more like the kind of school the ridiculously rich go to.

You know she didn't have to make a school at all. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
(All the white South Africans I've ever met have been doctors)

Urmm, most of the rich white people seemingly ran after Apartheid ended, so that they didn't get rightfully strung up for supporting the regime.

Truth & Reconciliaition Commission?

why is Oprah still alive:confused:

She's still alive because Tom Cruise is only OT8, not OT10, which means he wasn't able to fly and shoots lasers out of his eyes when he was in her studio.

I dislike Oprah, but think the school is okay.

I'm not sure why you're all bitching and complaining. Oprah is rich, and chooses to give that money to others out of her own generosity. Whether she decides to open a blood donating center, or a black girls school... you should be thankful for what she decides to actually give to the world. Because hell, would you rather that all rich people start to withhold on this generosity? I'd rather there were no rich (or poor) people.

I have no use for her or any celebrity that uses celebrity status for political and social reasons. That's interesting. I have no use for any celebrity who doesn't use their celebrity status for political and social reasons. It seems to me that this should be the sole purpose of fame.

I really, truly, honestly hate Oprah. I find her to be a shallow bitch who tries to appear important by addressing "issues" on her show.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

Not to mention how many decent schools she could've opened for the price of that one stupid, wasteful, opulent one.
I am not a huge fan of Oprah's, especially since her whining about being locked out of a Paris store awhile back, but the fact remains that she is trying to help some people who are in desperate need of help. The colour issue shouldn't even be a concern. Try looking for the human element instead?

Not really. The average common human does very little to contribute to his/her society. People such as Oprah, strive to benefit humankind.
Yes, really. If the average, common human were one of the wealthiest women on earth, they too could dump millions of dollars into various charitable endeavours in order to inflate their public image to absurd preportions. People, such as Oprah or anyone else, strive to benefit themselves through presenting a favorable image and acquiring power (in the form of money, rank, or whatever).
That Oprah is one of the most effective living people at both of these pursuits is no reason to view her with any more or less contempt than you hold for the average yuppie.

I hate Oprah.

Yes, really. If the average, common human were one of the wealthiest women on earth, they too could dump millions of dollars into various charitable endeavours in order to inflate their public image to absurd preportions. People, such as Oprah or anyone else, strive to benefit themselves through presenting a favorable image and acquiring power (in the form of money, rank, or whatever).
That Oprah is one of the most effective living people at both of these pursuits is no reason to view her with any more or less contempt than you hold for the average yuppie.

If you really believe that philanthropic being is soley a case of boosting one's personal ego, then evidently you're more ignorant than I was led to believe! Which then, I assume you would also hate people like John D. Rockefeller who founded the General Education Board in the United States, along with countless other groups like the University of Chicago, Rockefeller University, and Rockefeller Foundation among many others.

Interestingly enough, you don't need millions of dollars to help the rest of your fellow humankind. It helps, but you don't need it. What I might suggest, is that instead of bitching and moaning about somebody actually contributing to the world... get involved yourself and help in your community, even if it's on a much smaller scale. You'll be surprised, benefiting humanity verses playing the role of it's liability can be quite refreshing.

EDIT: Also, I realise that what you're saying is no more than your personal opinion, but if you want to argue it as if it were fact, I'd like to see some hard evidence that she has the kind of motives you're suggesting.

If you really believe that philanthropic being is soley a case of boosting one's personal ego, then evidently you're more ignorant than I was led to believe! Which then, I assume you would also hate people like John D. Rockefeller who founded the General Education Board in the United States, along with countless other groups like the University of Chicago, Rockefeller University, and Rockefeller Foundation among many others.
You misunderstand again. Let's start over:
The "great philanthropists" you're ranting about are obscenely wealthy celebrities with nearly bottomless wells of income (ie, Oprah). These people have discovered that they can raise their social status by putting millions of dollars into charity, while still maintaining a standard of living that 99% of the population has no chance of ever reaching.
If you want to impress me with someone's "selflessness" then find me one of them who lives in modest means (Hell, I'll settle for Middle Class) and doesn't make a huge deal out of how great they are for caring about the plebians.
Until then, I stand by what I've said: Oprah is no better or worse than Joe Bumblefuck of Ohio who drops his spare change in those salvation army pans around Christmastime: Neither person is making a "sacrifice", they're just buying a little bit of ego with an amount of money that was so small as to be insignificant in the first place.

I don't hate Oprah and as for the school if it's accurate to only have black children then it would be discrimination. I agree that if a school in America would only cater to white children then it would cause an outrage in the black community and with the help of the ACLU the lawsuits would shut it down or have a policy change.

Ultimately, Oprah does a lot of Good and should be recognized for it, however, I dislike the puppet she created...Dr. Phil.

I really, truly, honestly hate Oprah. I find her to be a shallow bitch who tries to appear important by addressing "issues" on her show.

And her bloody school in fucking south africa. I saw the students. Tell me, why wasn't a single one of them white? I know there are white people in south africa, and surely one or two of them must have met the entry requirements! (I KNOW someone is going to accuse me of being racist for this. I'm not, it's just can you imagine the uproar if someone started a nice school for disadvantaged youth in america and every single person in it was white?)

Not to mention how many decent schools she could've opened for the price of that one stupid, wasteful, opulent one.

The vast vast majority of disadvantaged south africans are black. Most of the white population of south africa are reasonably well off.

The vast vast majority of disadvantaged south africans are white. Most of the white population of south africa are reasonably well off.

*blink blink*

While I've never stayed long enough to see her show -- I watched part of it once, where she and company were interviewing a 15 or 16 year old girl from some impoverished African country in the most patronising manner possible, at least imo -- I tend to dislike and distrust anyone who claims to be a "philanthropist". They overuse appeal to emotion and appeal to duty, two common but despicable logical fallacies; and I have a feeling they would either accuse me of being a heartless sociopath, patronisingly say I must be going through a phase, or attempt to convince me through showing staged shots of starving infants if I told them my true opinion on how to solve the world's problems.

*blink blink*

Whoops

Whoops

What did you say?

This "school" has a beauty salon and a yoga studio??
Theaters and fireplaces in every building...
Fireplaces?? How cold does it get in South Africa anyways??

28 buildings...
25 acres...
5 years to build...

I mean, I can understand the argument that she's trying to provide for future "leaders" of the country...but wouldn't it set a better example to NOT provide influences like that?

It seems to me like it's just going to teach these "leaders" that because of their station, they are entitled to priveleges and perks that the poor never get.

Why perpetuate that viewpoint? Wouldn't it be better to teach these kids that they shouldn't lord it over the lower classes like that? Maybe actually reverse some of the social trends instead of ensure their presence for another generation?

Meh...most of these kids will probably remember where they came from, but I still think they'd be better off without such treatment. How many good schools could you build for $40 million?

I know I could build more than one.

(I never watch the show...TV sucks. I'm rather indifferent to Oprah as a person as well...I just think this school thing is a little twisted.)

I'm really amazed at the numbers who don't like Oprah. I had always been under the impression the vast majority liked Oprah.

The main reason being how she came from a bad beginning to life with no money to one of the wealthiest women in the world.