11-20-2013, 10:34 AM
I don't hate Oprah.
Really don't have much exposure to her except what appears in the news; just not a big fan of daytime talk shows.
Anyway, I don't know if Oprah is a racist or not. I don't assume it makes her racist or gender-biased that she has a charity which supports education for black girls in South Africa. Just like I wouldn't assume it makes Ellen DeGeneres hetero-phobic to be an advocate for gay rights. Just like I wouldn't assume Barbara Walters to be a religious bigot if she donated only to Jewish-based scholarships. Just like it doesn't make me a bleeding heart liberal because I occasionally volunteer time and money to the homeless shelter rather than giving money to the people 3 doors down who are struggling to pay their property taxes.
Oprah makes a lot of money. She gets to spend it however she likes, I don't consider it my business. If she chooses to donate to any cause that helps elevate any demographic anywhere in the world, no criticism from me.
I do, however, think that she should think and check her facts before she speaks publicly and accuses others of racism. I believe absolutely that she's been discriminated against by store owners - but not necessarily because she's black. People get discriminated against by others for being overweight, frumpy looking, etc...every damn day. They could be black, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, and sometimes white as well. The primary reason for being treated shabbily is not always race, ethnicity or religion.
And, yep, racism is alive and well in America (and everywhere else). But, I think people cry "racist!" far too often in this country without having a basis to back that up. JMO.
Really don't have much exposure to her except what appears in the news; just not a big fan of daytime talk shows.
Anyway, I don't know if Oprah is a racist or not. I don't assume it makes her racist or gender-biased that she has a charity which supports education for black girls in South Africa. Just like I wouldn't assume it makes Ellen DeGeneres hetero-phobic to be an advocate for gay rights. Just like I wouldn't assume Barbara Walters to be a religious bigot if she donated only to Jewish-based scholarships. Just like it doesn't make me a bleeding heart liberal because I occasionally volunteer time and money to the homeless shelter rather than giving money to the people 3 doors down who are struggling to pay their property taxes.
Oprah makes a lot of money. She gets to spend it however she likes, I don't consider it my business. If she chooses to donate to any cause that helps elevate any demographic anywhere in the world, no criticism from me.
I do, however, think that she should think and check her facts before she speaks publicly and accuses others of racism. I believe absolutely that she's been discriminated against by store owners - but not necessarily because she's black. People get discriminated against by others for being overweight, frumpy looking, etc...every damn day. They could be black, Hispanic, Asian, Muslim, and sometimes white as well. The primary reason for being treated shabbily is not always race, ethnicity or religion.
And, yep, racism is alive and well in America (and everywhere else). But, I think people cry "racist!" far too often in this country without having a basis to back that up. JMO.