View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
sherrife
Victorian Socialists - people before profit
Joined: 18 Apr 2003
|
Post subject: Oprah's Good Intentions - Neo-colonialism? | |
|
Oprah's Good Intentions
Wednesday, 31 January 2007
by Rev. Irene Monroe
Quote: | Oprah Winfrey's $40 million gift of a school for South African girls, although laudable, has been criticized for failing to produce the "greatest good for the greatest number." The author cautions that Ms. Winfrey's philanthropy may be seen as a kind of benevolent paternalism - or worse, as a shrine to herself |
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=63&Itemid=33#comments
What do you guys think? Check out the luxury items put in the school... A bit ridiculous i think, unless of course there are product placement deals going on. _________________ I would be ashamed to admit that I had risen from the ranks. When I rise it will be with the ranks... - Eugene Debs |
|
|
|
|
member34258
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
|
Post subject: | |
|
Oprah suffers from "look at me" syndrome. When she gave away a car to each audience member, she made a big deal of her largesse. Really though it was the car manufacturer who footed the bill, not Oprah.
As far as the school goes, she has stumped up a lot of cash. But a person who has as much cash as her should spend up big on these projects. Plenty in her position do just that, without the media circus that follows this woman. |
|
|
|
|
Dale61
You can't have manslaughter without laughter.
Joined: 17 Apr 2002 Location: /home/room/chair
|
Post subject: | |
|
Also, with the car give-away, not many of the audience took ownership as they had to pay the relevant tax on said vehicle, which Oprah wasn't going to pay.
So, although it made good TV, in the end it was just a publicity stunt. _________________ Whale
Oil
Beef
Hooked |
|
|
|
|
Didaicos
The Macedonian Marvel = The Croat Confoundment!!!
Joined: 06 Jun 2006
|
Post subject: | |
|
I actually read about her reasons for choosing South Africa. Supposedly it was due to the attitudes of the kids there
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/01/08/AR2007010801418.html?nav=rss_opinion/columns
Quote: | "I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools 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." |
_________________ WELLLINGHAM ROVES IT....AND KICKS THE GOAL!!!!
SWAN'S GOING TO KICK A GOAL. THEY'RE HOME YOU'D THINK I KNOW IT'S A LONG WAY TO GO BUT THEY'RE KILLING THEM NOW!! |
|
|
|
|
sherrife
Victorian Socialists - people before profit
Joined: 18 Apr 2003
|
Post subject: | |
|
By no means do i want to restrict the flow of this topic, but her reasons for doing this aren't really the point of the article at all.
It was more about the nature of aid itself, and that how you give money to charity/invest it says a lot about your values and principles. The auther concludes that Oprah's principles may be questionable, especially since she elected to spend money on a spa and yoga centre in a 3rd world country where there clearly are other priorities.
I think questioning her genuine will to help out is a bit stupid, as is doing the same for Bill Gates. They clearly care, but is what they're doing reinforcing the power and dependency relations between the 'west' and the rest? Or is it actually contributing to empowering the people their giving aid to, so that in the long run they can drive their own development. _________________ I would be ashamed to admit that I had risen from the ranks. When I rise it will be with the ranks... - Eugene Debs |
|
|
|
|
David
I dare you to try
Joined: 27 Jul 2003 Location: Andromeda
|
Post subject: | |
|
I won't even discuss Oprah's intentions, most of these Hollywood (slash American entertainment industry) people seem as sincere as a televangelist, and Oprah is the queen of insincerity.
All the same, I guess it's a good thing if they're contributing to charities. And, when it comes down to it, whatever her reasons for doing this, a lot of people's lives may be better off. So in that regard, it's positive.
As for your question, Sherrife, I'm a little undecided. I can see both points, yes it does display a kind of patronising attitude and could encourage dependency, and yet at the same time money can be a useful helping hand when it comes to improving a country, and education is always a big priority in developing nations.
So, in conclusion, I'm just going to sit on the fence _________________ All watched over by machines of loving grace |
|
|
|
|
Pa Marmo
Side by Side
Joined: 16 Jun 2003 Location: Nicks BB member #617
|
Post subject: | |
|
And she`s buyyyyyyyyying her stairrrrrrrrrrway.........to heaven _________________ Genesis 1:1 |
|
|
|
|
member34258
Joined: 05 Nov 2006
|
Post subject: | |
|
nuxta wrote: | And she`s buyyyyyyyyying her stairrrrrrrrrrway.........to heaven |
LOL!!!
How true. |
|
|
|
|
Nutmeg
Joined: 09 May 2005 Location: Preston
|
Post subject: | |
|
David wrote: |
So, in conclusion, I'm just going to sit on the fence :lol: |
One day SOMEONE will get an opinion out of you!
The article raises a lot of good questions - and that stat about attitudes towards sexual violence is frightening!
As for Oprah, it's a shame that her gesture wound up being so misguided. It appears (much of the time) when celebrities get on the philanthropy bandwagon they rarely consult the people on the spot about what they NEED. It sexier to build a whizz-bang shiny thing than boring everyday dull stuff. I remember a few years ago at school raising money and goods for stuff like exercise books, tables, pens, pencils etc. for schools in East Timor - not shiny, but probably of more use than a freeeking yoga spa! _________________ Collingwood es bueno para siempre
Ellos saben como jugar el juego.... |
|
|
|
|
|