Why Oprah Built Her School in Africa

[Adam's Apple]

African girls don't have a greater need for education than American girls, but I am sure they do have a greater appreciation for the opportunity to get an education that Winfrey is offering them and will make the most of that opportunity.

Oprah's `Truth' Shouldn't Hurt
By Clarence Page, Chicago Tribune
January 7, 2007

Liberals love to speak "truth to power," but the powerless need to hear the truth too. Knowledge, after all, is power. Don't keep it to yourself, I say. Spread it around.

That's why the Queen of Daytime Talk did poor folks a favor when she candidly explained in a recent Newsweek interview why she decided to build the lavish $40 million Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls for impoverished teenagers in South Africa instead of in an American city. South Africa's students, she said, had a greater need and appreciation for education.

"I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools [in America] that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there," she said. "If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."

for full article:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...1.column?coll=chi-news-col&ctrack=1&cset=true

 

[Puddles]

Why would she build a school in America when it's one of the 'richest' countries in the world? Shouldn't that be the American's government job

I also would think that lack of money, food, shelter, clothing and often parents presents a bigger need for African girls to get an education over American girls

 

[wiggles]

I'm all for helping Africa out but I don't think chastising poor American kids for being lazy is going to do much for them. And Oprah should ask Bill Cosby how much doing so does for one's credibility and popularity.
There are reasons kids in Africa are less materialistic than kids in America. For one, American kids are advertised to practically every waking moment of their lives.
Maybe Oprah can address things like that. Maybe let people know how they're being manipulated into being complacent little consumers. She's a media expert. She knows about it.

 

[José]

Originally posted by wiggles
There are reasons kids in Africa are less materialistic than kids in America. For one, American kids are advertised to practically every waking moment of their lives.

I'm sure you and Oprah have a point, wiggles.

But regardless of whether or not she's (partially) right, it's always a sad spectacle to see people being labelled by stereotypes based on the part of the world they happened to be born.

I'm sure there are millions of american kids really interested in getting a good education.

 

[Adam's Apple]

I'm sure there are millions of american kids really interested in getting a good education.

Yep, every issue has its minority fringe. In this day and age, I am sure we could round up a few American kids who are interested in getting a good education.

 

[Ninja]

Why would she build a school in America when it's one of the 'richest' countries in the world? Shouldn't that be the American's government job

I also would think that lack of money, food, shelter, clothing and often parents presents a bigger need for African girls to get an education over American girls

Oprah is an American. She should have used her money to help improve the lives of American girls.

Take your feel good, socialist BS somewhere else

 

[Dirt McGirt]

I gotta disagree Snowman. It's Oprah's money. I don't care if she builds a school with it in Africa or opens up a pork rib joint in Iran. It's American to make as much money as you want and spend it any way you like. However, I do agree that she will lose some moral authority when talking about how bad those poor kids from the inner city have it.

 

[wiggles]

I'm sure you and Oprah have a point, wiggles.

But regardless of whether or not she's (partially) right, it's always a sad spectacle to see people being labelled by stereotypes based on the part of the world they happened to be born.

I'm sure there are millions of american kids really interested in getting a good education.

I agree. I was just talking about root causes.

 

[Ninja]

I gotta disagree Snowman. It's Oprah's money. I don't care if she builds a school with it in Africa or opens up a pork rib joint in Iran. It's American to make as much money as you want and spend it any way you like. However, I do agree that she will lose some moral authority when talking about how bad those poor kids from the inner city have it.

WTF is an African going to do with an education?

"Golly, this lion is trying to eat me - but at least I read Finnegans Wake!"

"zomg this cobra just bit me, but who cares? I learned all my ABCs! Oprah is teh cool"

LOL

 

[jodylee]

the more money you give to africa to help and educate them, the less money you will spend put troops in at a later date because of civil wars, water wars, or religious extremisum etc..... the west needs to stamp out poverty then we will all live safer lives.

 

[theHawk]

the more money you give to africa to help and educate them, the less money you will spend put troops in at a later date because of civil wars, water wars, or religious extremisum etc..... the west needs to stamp out poverty then we will all live safer lives.

Yea, its up to the American taxpayer to pay for the education of every African.

Question: Why is it up to the west to stamp out poverty?

 

[jodylee]

1. because, the wealth of the west comes from centurys of exploiting africa.
2. as i sayed it the world would be a safer place, less imigrants would come to the shores of euopre and america, terrorisum would decrease, democracy would increase, basically what your trying to do in iraq but money not guns, which would probably be cheeper.

 

[theHawk]

1. because, the wealth of the west comes from centurys of exploiting africa.
2. as i sayed it the world would be a safer place, less imigrants would come to the shores of euopre and america, terrorisum would decrease, democracy would increase, basically what your trying to do in iraq but money not guns, which would probably be cheeper.

Wow you should teach Propagana 101.

 

[jodylee]

you know someone has no arguement when all they come out with is personal attack, and avoid discusion. it dosn't supprise me, unless someone agrees with you on this forum, discusion never takes place.

 

[theHawk]

you know someone has no arguement when all they come out with is personal attack, and avoid discusion. it dosn't supprise me, unless someone agrees with you on this forum, discusion never takes place.

Then state something of value other than the old "centuries of exploitation" crap. How is it that anyone alive in America today should be held responsible for what happened to Africa centuries ago? You want ME to pay for African education because of what? Be specific.

 

[jodylee]

you cant be specific, its a long term vision, do you deny the validity of this vision. that is the argument.

 

[theHawk]

you cant be specific, its a long term vision, do you deny the validity of this vision. that is the argument.

Yes I have a problem with the validity of any vision that doesn't provide some specifics.
You are the one that implied the West has some sort of obligation to fund education for Africans because it will supposedly save us money in the long term.
If you cannot provide specific examples of a) how Africa was "exploited" for centuries by the West, and b) How such exploitation is the fault of folks like me (American Taxpayers) to the point where I should be essentially paying reparations for it, then your arguement holds little weight with me.
I'm not doubting that getting the poor places of the world more 'educated' will help us in the long run, am I asking why I have to the one paying for it....as opposed to Africans themselves. Why can't middle eastern countries donate some of that oil money they make?

 

[CockySOB]

1. because, the wealth of the west comes from centurys of exploiting africa.
2. as i sayed it the world would be a safer place, less imigrants would come to the shores of euopre and america, terrorisum would decrease, democracy would increase, basically what your trying to do in iraq but money not guns, which would probably be cheeper.

Do I dare ask for evidence to support your statements?

BTW, could you post something in the Introductions thread? It seems to me that perhaps English is a second language for you. If we know a bit more about who you are, where you're from, etc. we might better understand your points of view.

 

[CockySOB]

you cant be specific, its a long term vision, do you deny the validity of this vision. that is the argument.

I had visions of pink elephants dancing with a miniature Pamela Anderson, under a lime-green moon. In this vision, a voice from above told me that....

Well, you get the picture. A vision, an opinion, is nice and when properly explained, might even bee convincing. However, simply stating something does not make it so, nor are you likely to convince others that your vision or opinion is valid.

 

[jodylee]

I do not disagree with that, all Rich nations should be a part.
Specificly, the cheep food,gold,diamonds, goods from africa and the slave trade, which was the biggest commodity in americas early history. do I really have to spell out the obvious history, its boring me.
and why you should pay, I dont know you, I guess it comes down to opinion i dont know things that you do, and have done that my have effected an african. I, without choice pay imcome tax, council tax, and VAT. What do I gain from it, appart from police & rubbish collection. I pay for the running of the government buildings, the jaguar cars, the party's, meetings, The royal family, The mistakes of government, and its the same in the US, so you already pay for things that may not benifit you directly. But we all do it for the greater good, which is my point with the africans. or we do it because we have no choice which make complaining about it usless.