I was watching Oprah earlier this week. It was the episode which showed her new school for girls in Africa. In it she was asked why the school only had black girls. Her comment was "I don't feel the need to appease the white people of this country". Now, I think I know Oprah well enough to know that she wouldn't just make an out of hand racist remark about white people. There is obviously a part of the story I don't understand. Would someone please kindly enlighten me and please excuse my ignorance. Thank you.
2007-01-04 06:00:59 · 21 answers · asked by comet girl...DUCK! 6 in News & Events ➔ Other - News & Events
I think her response stems from the decades of apartide that whites enforced in South Africa that only ended a few years ago.
South Africa has a gross domestic product of 12K per person (which is the highest in southern africa and maybe the entire continent, however a large percentage of the black population due in part to the on going effects of apartide are substantially below this amount and many whites are significantly higher.
I think it is Oprah's little attempt at affirmative action South Africa style. Oprah is doing a great thing here with her own money, anyone that complains in any way is wrong.
2007-01-04 06:39:30 · answer #1 · answered by Jerry 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Africa is not like Western countries. Things are still do divided there with white folk tending to be very affluent with the best houses, good jobs and being able to send their kids to good school while black people are left living in virtual slums. Not that much has changed since the Apartheid.
What Oprah meant was that her school is intended for black girls, who she sees are suffering the most in this country. It's not racism; it's just common sense. I mean, she wouldn't raise that money to put a school in a nice area of America, would she? It would be pointless when people in that area can surely afford to go to a good school. It's the same thing here. She means for that school to be intended for the suffering.
2007-01-04 06:11:42 · answer #2 · answered by starchilde5 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Oprah was citing that she did not need to appease the white people in AFRICA, it isn't racist, why should she include people in her school who've overtaken the very place where she has descendants from, she's a black person what else is she going to call the different colors of this world.
2007-01-04 06:45:34 · answer #3 · answered by whispergently0204 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Her critics concerning the school are probably largely white. In the statement, change white people to critics and you have your answer. I agree, the woman is not racist but simply reacting to a flame of criticism for something that was intended to be a generous and good deed. When all is said and done, keep in mind, she is still a black woman in America. Don't be too stressed by the statement. I am sure she meant no ill-will. It is her money! She can do what she choses with it and she has done a good thing.
In this country, we somehow manage to believe in or seek out racism in everything even acts of kindness. Peace and Unity.
2007-01-04 06:20:45 · answer #4 · answered by Joir 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Actually, she did have a few white girls. And I believe her decision was based on the unequality that unfortunately still exists in Africa. Most black girls there are not given the opportunities that they have here. And considering her deep ties to the South and having grown up during the years of segregation, I'm sure she has some serious issues with how blacks received very inferior educations in comparision to whites.
2007-01-04 06:09:21 · answer #5 · answered by huskygirl74 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i didn't hear anything racist coming from oprah. what is wrong with people?? a lot of the people in her audience and who are guests on her show are white!! how is she racist?? i don't get it. just accept that oprah is a decent human being who cares for others. she can do whatever she chooses with HER money and she uses a lot of it to help people!! i wish there were more generous and compassionate people in the world like her.
2007-01-04 06:45:22 · answer #6 · answered by Essie 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
There are a couple of possibilities.
One if which is that she is a racist. I have had flight attendant friends, and she rode in first class. She would not let white people go near her, and she would only accept a black flight attendant.
This is second-hand... I wasn't personally there, so you of course don't have to believe it.
2. The white people in Africa (at least South Africa) have historically not been considered good people. It is probably a choice based on all the damage the white-Africans (many of whom are very well-to-do in a very poor continent) have done.
2007-01-04 06:08:22 · answer #7 · answered by Squirtle 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
i became all waiting to leap throughout you for this because i'm an Oprah fan. I even might want to confess though you're making an noticeably solid aspect. i do not imagine she is racist in any respect regardless of the indisputable fact that the remark actual became. She probable reported it "tongue in cheek" questioning it became humorous with out understanding she will be hurting emotions. thanks for bringing this to our interest so unoffensively and with such adulthood.
2016-10-16 23:28:01 · answer #8 · answered by fernande 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If Oprah was a racist she would not have whites working for her.
The funny thing is a lot of black people think her show is aimed toward white women. People are jealous of her success.
2007-01-04 06:12:45 · answer #9 · answered by Bigboi47 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Is it really that big of a deal to you? You are still going to watch it anyway. If she did say that, that doesn't mean she's racist, she just doesn't feel the need like she said. Did you see how poor the BLACK people were living there? I doubt very seriously that she is racist and I never got that impression from her ever.
2007-01-04 06:15:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋