Was Oprah wrong to build a school in South Africa and not the United States?

Question

Hi,
For those of you who watche dthe Interview on the insider with oprah, you know she has come under fire lately for buildign her new school . I wan to know what you think, Was she right to fullfill her promise to former South African President Nelson Mandela and build the school orginally budgeted at 20 mill but cost around 40 mill US dollars. She even has another school planned for South Africa, this one will be co-ed. Do you think she was right in saying that in "general" most American children have a sense of entitlement? She is reportdely having a house built near the South African School for Girls and will be involed hands- on , through teaching and via satellite. Rumors are swirling that she will be retiering soon. I have alwalys heard that its best to retire at the top of your game. Will Oprah be retiering at the top of her game? Will she leave the US and just visit perodically like Tina Turner, what do you perdict will happen to her US cahrity oranizations that help many?

Oprah responded to critism by saying that she is doing a lot for Americans, and that she is spreading hope to the children of Africa.

Answer 1

Oprah is right to built a school in Africa. Those children need it more than the kids here.

And yes, there is a sense of entitlement in American culture. The question: "Why doesn't she build one here?" says it. As if America needs ANOTHER school. We don't.

I love Oprah. She is a true inspiration.

Answer 2

She can do what she wants with her money, she earned it. And she can say what she wants, it's just her opinion. That being said, I agree with her. In general, Americans tend to think that we ought to have things handed to us. What makes this so funny is that a right to an education IS handed to us on a silver platter. Education in the US is free from pre-K to 12 grade in every state.

Yeah, yeah yeah... some schools get better funding than others. Funding of schools is a problem but not one Oprah can fix (she doesn't have that much money/influence). Bill Gates is trying to upgrade our system to make us more globally competitive (being the richest man alive should help open doors).

But poor funding is not really an excuse for not learning. My mother grew up in segregated Alabama. She her school books were second hand and had the word "colored" stamped in them because at that time blacks were not allowed to go to white schools or get books from white libraries. However, she was still granted a "Classic" education including learning how to speak German. Even segregation did not stop her from going to school, paying attention in class, doing the assignments, or understanding that an education was a valuable to all people (despite, race, financial/social standing). We don't even have this problem anymore and yet kids (from all races) seem to think education is a joke.

Charity only works if the recipient is willing to accept it. The kids in South Africa are willing, we don't seems to be.

Oprah may retire from her show but she doesn't strike me as the type to just sit back and chill. I suspect that if she retires, she will probably do more charity work than now. Kind of like Jimmy Carter and Habitat for Humanities. No matter where she lives (and she has houses everywhere) she will be still helping Children.

Answer 3

Oprah pays taxes, millions of dollars of it each year, along with her endorsers, now that's enough to build thousands of schools in south carolina and throughout the country, and if they are not being built, blame the politicians and not Oprah. America helps other countries around the world build schools all the time and no one questions it. Why is this such an issue with Oprah doing a small part of a noble goal such a problem to so many

Answer 4

Not at all. IMO, I think what she's doing for South Africa is great. I mean, they need more schools than the U.S. does and this a step towards hopefully many more schools that will be developed in 3rd world countries. I mean, how often do celebrities think about giving back to the less fortunate? I hope Oprah continues on doing charitable works not only in South Africa, but in other impoverished countries also. We all know she has the money! Maybe this will inspire others to do the same.

Answer 5

No.......because the government should focus on education instead of focusing on other things. Then need to work on improving the school systems that pre exists. America as a whole has an okay situation that can be improved by the government. We are talking about an area of the world that is improvised and need all the help they can get. I think it's a great idea that she helped to build a school in south africa.

Answer 6

For Oprah to build the school in South Africa is her choice, using her money.
Who sais that she only had to do things in USA?

I mean that 's the kind of people we need in this world, who are "world citizen".

By the way I think Africa is the one that needs more of such investments then USA.
I don't think this will affect her influence in the USA. I mean, she got to remember her roots:Africa.
"don't forget the rock from which you were cut from"

HOpe I have been kind
May be God bless Oprah and all who support other people in the world no matter who they are and where they are.

Answer 7

Well, this is my opinion.

I am very happy about Oprah's decision to build a school in Africa. It is about time that someone with power and money put their money to good use, instead of using it for themselves. Don't you think? I know it is none of my business to say how people should spend their money but I give Oprah props for helping children that are in serious need of help.

Answer 8

How was she wrong in doing it? It is her money, so she can spend it how she wants. It is much harder for kids in countries like sth africa to get a decent education than it is in other countries like america.

my only wish is that it was co-ed because boys deserve some help too. however, if she is planning another co-ed one like you say, than that is great.

even if she retires, i reckon she will still be earning a lot of money, and will still support the numerous charities that she already supports.

i dont know if she is set to retire soon, but if she does, than she has certainly earned the right too.

Answer 9

No, she was doing a right thing to build a school in AFrica, come on people dont be so jealous about that! for god sakes, thats her money, she can do anything she wants! plus, people in Africa have been living in poverty and hungry so i guess Oprah did the right thing this time

Answer 10

No, I don't think that's wrong. Sure the schools here need improvement, but I think the kids in South Africa probably need it a lot more.