I looked all over the net and YouTube and I couldn't find the interview where Oprah, allegedly, said that American Black children are too materialistic. Assuming she did say it that way, isn't that the same as saying American Black children don't value education and that's why she chose to open a school in Africa, rather than America?
2007-02-19 14:10:53 · 19 answers · asked by FutureDirector 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Cultures & Groups ➔ Other - Cultures & Groups
Supposedly this is what happened:
She went to a school (it might've been a predominantely black school) in California and asked what did they want. They said things like Northface and ipod. So she went to Africa and asked the same thing and they said we need books, computers, and stuff like that so that is where she put her money
2007-02-19 14:19:23 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 6⤊ 0⤋
I heard that she said American kids are too materialistic and that they take things for granted. I believe this was said when she was opening that new school in Africa or some sort of other country. She mentioned that children in 3rd world countries value education and when asking a child living there what they want to be when they grow up, they usually answer "doctor or scientist" because they want to help people. American children on the other way take what they have for granted. What they want are things like toys, money, brand name objects, etc... basically objects that fall under materialism. I believe Oprah has a good point in what she meant. Life is often taken for granted when one has the proper neccesities.
2007-02-20 11:57:20 · answer #2 · answered by CT 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
there's been a steady decline of discipline with America's youth regardless of what race you are. The article said that she wanted to give to a community that would never have the chance at a good education, and she said that if you asked a kid here what they want that they'd be like an ipod. I did read the article that's being discussed, but i don't remember it verbatim. It's basically stating that American children wouldn't appreciate something as priceless as an education. So many of the kids here have no idea what it is to not have something. So many of those kids there don't get a shower or could go for days w/out food. I know there are kids here like that but it's more rampant there. We have a welfare system that helps people and most take advantage of it, over there, their government doesn't do that. We are a spoiled society, but the majority of us work for it. She is trying to do something good. Who are we to judge? She also gives to several charities here so she didn't just target African children.
2007-02-19 14:31:32 · answer #3 · answered by brandyswilkes 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
People asked Opera why invest in kids in africa why not american kids? She said because all american kids care about are materialistic things. They do not appreciate education, they would rather have things. The kids in africa want an education so bad bc its not offered to a lot of them. These kids are desperate for an education and trully want to do something with the education. I agree with her completely. Most kids here do not want an education....they would rather her hand them out things. I would much rather give education to those who will use it and appreciate it.
2007-02-20 09:47:13 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
She claimed that American kids don't need or appreciate the education as much as those South African girls *cough*BULLCRAP*cough*
Also, what really ticks me off is that, getting in is SOOOOO limited, barely anyone can go there! Plus, it's in South Africa?! Come on! It's like, one of the wealthiest countries IN Africa! Instead of making a $40,000,000 school for <300 girls that might be able to get an education without it, why not spend it on a school for >1,000 kids in a more impoverished country? She's such a moron, I swear.
2007-02-20 13:20:19 · answer #5 · answered by booda2009 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, materialism has nothing to do with the lack of motivation to get an education. I have closets full of clothes and one closet dedicated to shoes, I admit I have a strong sense of vanity (although that is a sort of paradox) but I'm also in college, read tons of books, am learning Japanese... I think what she meant, if in fact she did say it, that kids here want too much... they probably wouldn't have been satisfied with the things she was willing to offer...
2007-02-19 22:26:25 · answer #6 · answered by Annabella Stephens 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I cannot answer your question it is not based on quotes just hearsay. Contact her site at www.Oprah.com.
Contact me upon doing so. Let me know if this is so.
Thank you -wise!
P.S
where you obtained this information?? Children being too materialistic hold true? I don't see how this would have anything to do with her decision to go to Africa & help the needy children, when much help is needed
2007-02-19 14:49:06 · answer #7 · answered by wise 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think she meant they would not appreciate an education in the same way a poor african child would. They would want something like an ipod. I'd say there's some truth to what she had said. Kids these days!
2007-02-19 14:21:03 · answer #8 · answered by lankan blk chick 2 · 5⤊ 1⤋
no, i spend a lot of money one material things. I can never have too many clothes or shoes, but i also have straight A's in school. I value education, and i plan to go to college, but i also love to shop and fill my world with wonderful things.
2007-02-20 10:09:43 · answer #9 · answered by travelchic91 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nothing to do with how they value education.
It has to do with values and it is beyond race, it is corporate kids who have been defiled by branding and product marketing schemes.
I suppose some of those schemes are directed at Black youth exclusively so maybe that was her point.
2007-02-19 14:18:00 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋