This is dedicated to the woman who had the audacity to be outraged at Oprah for building a girls school in South Africa.
No this woman is not some disenfranchised small fry venting her pent up frustrations. It's pretty sad because this woman has relative power. She is a representative of one of New York city's biggest newspapers.
It's true there's nothing worse than a powerful influential woman in this patriachichal society. The only thing worse is if that woman happens to be black, especially in a racist world that conspires to paint an ugly picture of everything that is Black.
Why don’t YOU get of your ass and do something to help out in your own country? Remember hurricane Katrina? How quick was the American government to give Louisiana aid? I hope you also opened your big mouth then.
As a sovereign over a people it’s the government’s responsibility to momentarily offer help if people have exhausted all other avenues to help themselves out of a situation. In contrast the U.S government failed the people of Louisiana with haphazard efforts to bring support to the many destitute hurricane victims. Needless to say it was shameful.
On the other hand, Oprah is not obligated to help anyone. She has worked hard to build the wealth that owns. So she is entitled to it. However, she is a compassionate humanitarian and it is her perogative to do what she wants with her money.
You could argue that it is because she had all this money that she is able to help build schools in South Africa. And so what is wrong with that? Are you going to criticize Bono or the GAP for the RED campaign efforts too? Understand that you don’t need millions to help people; all you need is a heart of gold.
Here’s a suggestion if you feel the need to help the less fortunate members of society close to home. Why don’t you mobilize people in your community and petition politicians to take action? After all, it is voters who put them in power so why not put them to work?
What would you rather Oprah do? Spend her money wantonly and live in opulence and be a slave to meaningless material things?
Also, in case you haven’t thought about it, there’s the concept of globalization. For example, because of international trade and growing economic interdependency we should all be keenly aware and concerned about what is going on abroad.
The spread of multinational corporations has brought and will continue to foster socio-economic and cultural transformation. Therefore, whatever influences of culture or social structure that are uniquely American may be of relevance to a little boy in China or a little girl in Mozambique one day.
Sooner or later what happens in your neighbour’s back yard eventually may affect you. Get over your NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) syndrome. Instead, you should applaud Oprah for enriching her own life and enriching the lives of those who would otherwise not have an opportunity. Did I mention get off your ass and do something?
I pity you for your social apathy and your incapacity to be discerning. That is one of the most asinine things to be disgruntled about! Lady get your head out of your ass and see the big picture.
