Why did Oprah spend $40 million to open a school in Africa but not in America???
 

While I appreciate charitable efforts, why didn't Oprah look in her own backyard in America to see how screwed up our own educational system is and spend $40 million to help clean it up here, where she lives, where she made her fortune?

She has contributed a mil here and there for education in the U.S., but $40 million would sure help alot of the kids in the public school system get a fair shake at a decent education in our totally messed up educational system right here in America. :disgust

Instead she has 200 of her closest celeb friends deck out in their celeb finest clothes to pose in front of the school she built far, far away from the kids of America.

ok, I'm done ranting.

couldnt agree more

I agree also...there is a thing going on right now that I believe the ONE organization started and thats to fix the world's roots and move up from there....

the world's roots meaning humankind started in africa

She's investing in the motherland...shank whitey

She claims she quietly gives donations similar in the US. I dunno.

basically she said because kids here are spoiled, where as down there they look at duh ed-u-mah-cation as a privilege and they strive to achieve obtaining one. She said here, our kids expect too many things.

She isn't too far off on her comments and she did get lambasted for them, but she explained it off pretty well as simply as wanting to do something for some "other" people than the US's kidz- who I'm sure she donates a lot too on the DL.

///I SWEAR I didn't watch the Oprash show... I just caught a news bit on all this.

I heard her say in an interview

when she asks poor children in the US what they want they need they tell her and Ipod or the latest video game system

but when she asked poor children in South Africa what they needed they told her uniforms so they could go to school

http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.tm..._oprah_140.jpg

Oprah Disses Inner-City Kids

Oprah is raising some eyebrows after snubbing needy American kids and opening a $40 million school in South Africa. But the talk show queen is ticked that people aren't appreciating her generosity, and says Americans would just waste a golden opportunity to get a good education at her expense. "I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools [in the U.S.]," she tells Newsweek. "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." But that didn't stop Oprah from including a yoga studio and beauty salon in the plush girls' school.

http://ww.tmz.com/2007/01/02/sin-city-kicks-brit-s-ass/

for sure she made millions of donations in the us and everywhere else.. imo.. are people in the US living like people in africa? i bet not..

Didn't she give poor US kids mothers Buicks or something?

I guess it's more trendy... like Bradgelina or something like that...

I was just going to post something along those lines but was worried about being called racist. But I tell ya I'm with her on it.:thumbsup

Note to self... according to some, your hard earned money isn't actually yours to do with as you please.

why don't some of you morons become billionaires so you can do the right thing!

She should be taking it out on the parents, not the kids. build them a school and educate American kids, dont educate future enemies of the US

The worst ghetto is America cannot compare to how poor people in Africa or other 3rd world countries live. Kids in america have a chance to be someone if they want it bad enough, there is a system in place that while not perfect does provide kids with the basics they need to survive. Kids in africa on the other hand die from starvation, get raped and AIDS and other diseases are rampant.

Oprah did something that should be applauded, people should stop thinking about borders and think about the human factor.

Jigga what? Jigga who? Vancity Jigga?

pleasurepays... I agree with you

also - sometimes she is a bit crazy
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/archives/oprah.jpg

its a bit odd... people criticise her for doing something she wants to do, the way she does it, her motivations etc. Oprah didn't make the educational system in the US complete shit. its a shame that criticism doesn't get focused on the government, states, their educational systems, their policies etc. its a sad day in the gool ole US of A when people think Oprah should be shoring up the educational system.

It is the parents who teach these kids in the US, or don't teach them about what an ipod vs an education means. How do they know at 5 years old that an education is better than an ipod????

They don't know, the parents should know and teach them accordingly.

Not sure how many people posting are parents, but I am . And while I acknowledge what Oprah did, she could have maybe balanced it with $20 million or $20 million. or whatever.

I'm not telling her what to do with her money, but to say she visited inner city schools and was not pleased with what she heard, and blames the kids for focusing on ipods and other hi tech stuff... then that is just sad too.

Blame the media, the corporations for advertising to children and blame the parents for not doing something about it.

She didn't like the answers the American children gave her? Did she ask every one of the millions who really do want an education here? :(

yep - agreed - her money - her decision on what she wants todo if she even does anything

I do think that she should put the blame on the system and only the system and not the kids for wanting Ipods over educational supplies :2 cents:

Because she's A-F-R-I-C-A-N man!!!

Maybe because she chose to leave that job to those politicians who are in the position right now.

LOL...isn't everyone a little crazy at times?

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh best quote so far :thumbsup

"Why does he get a cookie and I don't?"

She worked hard for her money. If she wants to spend it in Africa, let her.

The thing is that the people in the western world that really want an education are able to get it. You cannot compare life in America to life in Africa. America has schools for children to go to, African kids don't have that option.

US, the world's richest country, should be able to take care of their people and their education system. If you feel the education system is not good in America then complain about the goverment and their spending and focus not on some celebrity that sees that bigger world picture.

Why did the Gates foundation focus their efforts of curing diseases in the 3rd world? It's because that is where the greatest need is. Again people in the western world should be thanking their lucky stars for having the opportunity to live here and not have to deal with complete chaos that goes on it poor countries.

And your point that parents should teach their kids about values, I agree totally. But the kids in america don't have it that bad if their wants are iPod's and video games rather then food and water needed to survive, don't you think?

Dude ..Did you read the thread?

This is what I heard about this too. I sometimes catch The View in the mornings and they had the girls on there from that new movie coming out, Freedom Writers, and they said that they have had tremendous success educating these students in the USA that people say aren't teachable.

Of COURSE American kids are going to want Ipods and so on, all those fancy gadgets, all of their peers and the rich kids have that. In the places where Oprah is helping, they don't know the meaning of the word Ipod, they don't KNOW the things that the kids in the USA know...... so of course they are going to want something like clothes and education, they are an entire country in poverty.

I applaud what Oprah does with those kids, but to put the American kids out because they want what their peers have, that's just plain copout to me to use as an excuse not to help them. That's the thing with OUR kids, people that CAN help won't, they bail on them, the people that are SUPPOSED to care, well they can't be bothered to help, that's too much time involved, they can't be bothered with all that. :upsidedow :Oh crap

Alot of us parents DO spend time and effort to make sure our kids get an education, but when the parents fail, as often times they do now, WHO is there for them? Someone has to..... some people just shouldn't have kids at all, but that's kind of a mute point, they are here, so SOMEONE has to care enough to take the time to reach them.

That's just MY opinion and I apologize if it falls into an unpopular position, but dammit.... people need to pay attention to OUR people that don't have someone to pay attention to them on their own. It takes a Village to raise a child..... where is the village for these kids?

And before anyone comes at me, I AM a parent of one of these children. He is 13 and he has an extremely hard time in school and with his peers and so on. If you ask him what he would want more than anything, he WOULD tell you an Ipod or something like that. BUT I have had a heart to heart with him and he tells me what he truly wants, he wants to do good in school, he wants to be someone and make something of his life.. he wants so much more that DOES mean something, but he has a very hard time communicating this to anyone BUT me. I help him as much as I can, and so does his Dad, we go the extra mile with him and for him and we work with him night and day.

Make me a hero? HELL NO! I am no hero, I am a mom who loves her son and wants the very best his life and this world has to offer him and I DO care to help him, I cry sometimes when he is away or sleeping because I know he is trying so very hard, he just can't get thru some things..... and it is all

PEER PRESSURE... he is the only one of my 4 that have had it hit him as hard as it has. If he goes with the flow, they all love him and so on, but if he even THINKS of being who he is, a caring and very warm hearted child, he is called a fag or some shit...... he has been kicked out of school three times now because he was defending a girls honor...... guys who have hit girls and he jumps in to help her out, and he gets kicked out of school.

Don't call me a great person, I don't want to even hear it, I am just a mom who loves my son very much. My point in this is I do care, and I will do what it takes, same as a lot of the parents I know in my world, here and everywhere, but what about those parents who "can't hang" with them to get them thru it? Someone has to help them and be there for them, you know?

Bah... why bother.

I am glad she did not give it to US schools. Suits the schools right actually. The very last thing our US schools need is more money thrown at them. I actually would rather see her burn the money than hand it to the US school system.

As it stands I cringe knowing that not only is some of my normal tax money, but also a lot of my property taxes goes into the school system.

Now I would change my tune real quick if somehow we could start all over again. Remove the teachers union all together. Make each and every teacher accountable and fire able at whim. Attach the money to the children so that it follows them to whatever school they attend. Remove all forced school districts. Then let each school sink or swim on the quality of education they provide, do a good job get more students, do a poor job loose all your students and go out of business. Naturally this would also lead to schools paying more for better teachers and a hell of a lot less bureaucracy.

Frankly, I don't CARE what she does with her money, it's none of my business, same as it is none of anyone's business how I spend mine. BUT when you go on public TV and discredit OUR kids and OUR people to feel better about what you are doing for someone in another country, well, that's pretty lame. Had she come up and said "I donated all that money because I damn well wanted to", I, and so many others I think, would have been completely cool with that. But how DARE she put down OUR kids and OUR people because she wanted to put her money somewhere else. If she wants to put all of her money into a night at a casino on poker games, well FINE..... I don't care. It's when she felt this undying need to say that OUR kids don't deserve any help because they want a freaking ipod, that was a copout in my opinion.

And FYI? I don't have a 42" Plasma, I have a USED Big Screen TV, and I drive used cars and I live in a Doublewide Trailer..... and I live check to check like so many others. BUT we are happy, and we comfortable in our own world, and we LOVE our kids and have a heart for those less fortunate. I have a home, it isn't much, but it is mine...... and we give to charity EVERY year, even if it hurts...... every little bit helps. But we don't go to this place and say we are giving to you because those kids across town want an ipod for Christmas. PLEASE!!

And yes I know, even with what little I have, I have far more and am way more blessed than they are down there, BUT we don't go on National TV and announce this fact!!

Run the education system like an actual business and instill real accountability? Egads! Are you insane!?

I'm all for it. Vouchers are a good idea, IMO.

I read what you had written Jack..... and I responded to it, I guess I hit quote right as you changed it all.. but I seen it.

Please don't think I have an ounce of care where she puts her money, or anyone else for that matter. It's how she explained it that got under my skin a little. The mere fact that she feels the need to donate to everything and then have camera on her on every move of it to "show off" that she is the great almighty, that bugs me too. There are many many very well off people that donate, but they don't take cameras and a whole clan with them to announce it. That's grandstanding in my opinion. It isn't JUST about this, it's about all of it. "Oh look at me, I am a rich bitch and I am throwing my money around to those that are poor."

She pissed me off many years ago when she was on Letterman and she was putting down people who worked in Wal Mart and held jobs in "those places" and so on, and I have hated her ever since. So I guess not much she could do would impress me much.

I DID, however, think what she did to help the Katrina Victims was awesome, THAT one I'll give her. :winkwink:

Holy shit Tam, long time no see!

After Shock Media, we pay school tax on everything here, from our electric bill, our phone bill and our water and garbage, all of them, we pay school tax on. So I agree with you there.

We just went thru a whole scene here. We live in a small place and we have two schools, the city school, and the county school. The City School has a much better system and they. well, their system is just better all the way around. The county people were paying to have their kids sent to the city schools, and you know what the County did? The forced the issue to the point, because of MONEY, that now the county residents have to go to county and city to city! It's all a crock of shit in my opinion. Having the money to pay for GOOD teachers makes all the difference in the world, and the county here didn't have the money to do it, so they took what they could get, which in my opinion isn't all that great.

They FINALLY hired a couple of good teachers at my youngest son's school and they are very good, but they had to go out of state to get them, which is pretty sad really. And I'm telling you, they are some pretty major bitches, BUT they reach the kids better, they DEMAND and COMMAND respect from the students. If we had more of them, OUR kids would be doing better.

BUT, even my youngest son knows more than a couple of his teachers. ALL of my kids have taken computer/technology classes and MY kids know more about that shit than they do. I know this because they have called me to thank me for making their jobs easier. I didn't do a damn thing. I just gave them a computer and I make them fix it when they break it. It's going into the computer world so I want them prepared. Little did I know they'd be smarter than their teachers in those classes. lmao

Hey you. wow, it has been a long time. How have you been doing hon? :)

I get a little passionate about kids and schools... does it show? lol

I bet a lot of African kids figure out
on their own that a education is
their ticket.

For me, it's easy to believe a lot of
their parents have too little to think
long term when the next meal is
so scarce and is 1 of their top
priorities day in/out.

I can't see a lot of their parents
encouraging an education.

Here in the US, it is so easy for
people/kids to get by that being
truly successful is of little
importace for most.

My :2 cents:

africa is the new black.

She can spend her money anyway she wants but it was the USA that gave her the opportunities to make her fortune.

First of all, ignoring the idea that charity begins at home, a dollar goes a lot further in some places than it does in the U.S.

Putting aside the fact that the less a person has, the easier it is to improve their quality of life, you'll get a lot more bang for your buck abroad... that includes construction costs, staff and teacher salaries, any nutrition programs, uniform costs, etc.

I'd bet that $40 milliion is doing a lot more good where it is than it could have in the U.S.

Not that I don't wish some of it would drift my way...

A little off topic but heavy funding for school districts in the US may not yield a better education. Washington DC's public school system has one of the highest per pupil spending in the country but test scores are dismal. I think the answer lies elsewhere--parental and community involvement in schooling. No amount of dollars can buy the most important resource a kid needs--a parent who cares enough to take an active role in his/her education.

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :thumbsup

Everyone has an opinion on how to spend your money - and no way are kids in the "civilized world" more needy than in some locations in Africa. Any comparison is too absurd...

Vouchers are a great idea because it forces public schools to COMPETE for education dollars. Kinda makes you wonder how private parochial schools with a smaller budget turn out kids that pass diagnostic/assesment tests vs. public schools. Unfortunately, the big teacher UNIONS are not so keen on this idea.

It should be interesting to see how this plays out--considering that the US Supreme Court has already ruled that voucher programs are legal (despite the fact that some parents would opt to use the voucher to send their kids to parochial / religious schools) see: Zelman v Harris http://supct.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/00-1751.ZS.html

this has to be one of the dumbest news items i have ever seen. not to mention the discussion thats going on about it. its unreal that people can bust their ass, make hundreds of millions and billions of dollars and people are critical of them for how they use that wealth to help others.

i would rather see people that want it and will do great things with it, get that help, than a bunch of 15yr old gang bangers/aspiring rappers who's biggest goal in life is getting through the last level of Gears of War on X-Box get more money thrown at them.

Does anyone really think these kids in Africa will be able to do anything brilliant with their new educations? I doubt it.

i think vouchers are good because parents that actually give a shit about parenting, being a great parent and care about raising their kids right, can seperate their kids from the rest and give them the chance to excel.

I gotta say kids in poor countries appreciate a dollar and an opportunity a lot more than kids in America.

A kid in a third world country, will thank you for a chance , a kid in America will laugh at you for min wage.

A lot of younger Americans think they are owed something.

as opposed to what? throwing 40 million on top of billions of already wasted dollars that have given us one of the shittiest public education systems in the world? thats going to make a difference?

ya, they are just dumb, black, diseased africans..why waste good US$$ on them.... think of all the metal detectors that would buy for US schools..