There seems to be some type of resolution in the abuse scandal that has rocked Oprah's Ego School which is otherwise known as an all-girls Academy in South Africa that saw one of it's dorm mothers removed by authorities for unspecified allegations of abuse. Oprah Winfrey apologized yesterday to the parents of the kids in her school by saying, "I've disappointed you. I'm so sorry. I'm so sorry." Therefore one must reason that the allegations were not hollow or false.
This whole school thing has been a boondoggle (another word I have always wanted to use) from the outset. What was once a $10M pledge turned into $46M and six years of time spent picking out bathroom tiles and what color uniforms her students would wear. I want to make it perfectly clear from the outset that people in many countries are desperate for education and deserve whatever we can do to make it happen and I am glad these 150 girls are getting an incredible education.
However, I have to think that there are better ways to spend that $46M. Only 152 girls go to the school. Do you know how many schools for how many thousands upon thousands of children could have been built in African countries for $46M? How many books that could have been bought. How many teachers salaries paid for? How many people of both sexes could have been educated and given a chance? Instead, Oprah took all that money and wants to create an elite class and 152 women beholden to her. I just can't think of a reason other than ego why Oprah did this. She must have realized at some point that her dollars could go so much further if she would just forsake the ego thing.
Do you realize there are 28 buildings for these 152 girls? 28 buildings, and that Oprah interviews all of the applicants. Why would she do that? To find the ones who can kiss her ass the best? To find the stories she can use for fodder on her show? My guess is that as soon as this first class graduates and has made Oprah their Queen, she will find a way to excuse herself from this mess. Hopefully next time, she will think more about others, and not just herself.
I am inclined to agree. When I first heard about this, I thought it was great, especially to give girls a better shot at life. But if this is true and she spent 46 million and turned it into an elitist school for the few, all in her name, then I agree: She would have been more effective with her money to spread it around for a quality education for many with out all the show. You have to give her credit for doing it at all, but I agree it seems to be an ego thing as well.
ReplyDeleteMarry me.
ReplyDeleteWell said and my thoughts exactly.
If Poperah really wanted to help the poor children of Africa then she'd do it for all and not 152 children she hand picked by looking for that certain 'spark' in their eyes. Thanks Opie for visiting countless young children over one summer and telling them they are not good enough for your fuckin high and mighty school.
Bravo Ent. Bravo.
ReplyDeletei agree 100 percent and, ENT,your observations apply to many of her recent endevors....ego and exploitation go hand in hand with this woman and blind followers everywhere eat it up. i don't get it. she has worked her way up to an elitist attitude that
ReplyDeleteturns me off.
when asked by an interviewer why africa? why not help with the US educational system (that she always dogs by the way) she said that poor american children are ungrateful..they would not appreciate what SHE could do for them. i forget who did the interview.
ReplyDeleteI remember that comment. She also said that American kids aren't interested in education, just ipods and sneakers.
ReplyDeleteThis from the same woman who does an annual show where she gives away high-end luxury items to a rabid audience. Then has the audacity to say kids in this country are too materialistic.
Oprah owns a house in my hometown (where she is greatly disliked by the locals); in a small city full of billionaires and celebrities she manages to stand out by her colossal disregard for others and massive self-centeredness. No one is more high-handed or elitist than Oprah. Every time I think she can't get any worse she manages to top herself. This latest catastrophe is no surprise to me.
ReplyDeleteI wish I could put my 2 cents but all of you have said exactly what I was thinking to type in here.
ReplyDeleteDamned if you do, damned if you don't, I guess.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of when Bill O'Reilly blasted George Clooney and others for their charitable efforts.
I thinks some charity is better than none at all. It's her money and if I had even half of what she has, I'd be damned if I'd let other people tell me how to spend it. JMHO.
I agree CalifBlondy, I know plenty of billionaires or almost billionaires who do not give a dime to charity, so at least she's trying.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that she has completely LOST touch with the person she used to be, the one that her audience loved and related to.
Her show is a joke. She should stop trying to be who she used to be and go forward with her charity work with a little less fanfare and name-in-lights mentality
Glad to see the evil empire Darth Oprah is creating shows the shallowness of her personality and the greatness of her oversized ego. Bottom line, she is a racist who has not been called out because she is a black woman in America. Soon as the poiltical correctness Nazis are silenced by reality and common sense will there be a true freedom of free speech. Join the rebellion against the darkside and free the Darth Oprah clones(sheep/slaves)from their Master's bigotted reign.
ReplyDeleteEnt, my sentiments exactly...
ReplyDeleteYou all said it already before me. Seems such a waste, to create a school for only 152 girls, at a certain age...where will they go after they are past the age where they can attend? Isnt that part a waste, too?
ReplyDeleteOne thing to keep in mind -- I'm pretty sure $46M goes a lot farther in outposts in South Africa than it does building something at Princeton. Unless she's got a nuclear reactor in there, I'm not clear where the money went.
ReplyDeleteEven if she set up trusts to ensure college educations for each of these girls, that's still way too much.
If charitable works are ego-driven, then the motive is poor. You don't see Greg Mortenson's name splashed all over the media and he's done a HELL of a lot more than Oprah has.
ReplyDeleteStanding ovation for this one, EL!
I effin' HATE Oprah's pretentious ass and all of her blind minions who follow her every word as if it were law.
ReplyDeleteStupid. Stupid. Stupid!!!
Natd, not law. GOSPEL!!
ReplyDelete