Comments on: ATR 55 – Oprah on inner-city kids and Toys R Us immigration controversy – 01/15/2007

By: The Big Idea » Blog Archive » Thesis research, Murakami, Taste of Salt, and Oprah vs. innercity youth

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 15:31:27 +0000

[...] I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts: Addicted to Race and found out Oprah this about kids in the innercity: “I became so frustrated with visiting [...]

By: The Big Idea » Blog Archive » Life vs. Writing, Murakami, Taste of Salt, and Oprah vs. innercity youth

Sat, 03 Feb 2007 01:54:52 +0000

[...] Then I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts: Addicted to Race and found out Oprah this about children in the United States: “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. 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.” [...]

By: Kristen

Kristen — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 15:04:53 +0000

I’m writing in response to the email that was forwarded to the female black sports editor. While I agree that the co-worker’s intent in forwarding it was probably hostile and definitely questionable, I’m disappointed there wasn’t more discussion about the content of the email. As a football fan I’ve also noticed that there is a high proportion of black players versus a huge majority of white fans. Is there something there to talk about? And what about the assertion of “showboating” (the writer’s term) – is this a cultural thing? The rest of the email was so outrageous I don’t think it even deserves a mention, but I would have liked to see some disucssion about the other items.

Thanks – keep talking – I’ll keep listening!

By: Minotaar

Minotaar — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 09:45:41 +0000

I disagree with your analysis of Oprah’s decision to put her school in South Africa as opposed to the US. I think Oprah was primarily convinced by the ambition shown by the kids from South Africa and simultaneously turned off by the lack of ambition shown by the kids in “inner city” USA.

I think she could have said this more clearly, considering her influence and impact. She should have said something like “their ambition convinced me”. Instead, she described what caused her to react most strongly – the US kids asking for ipods and sneakers, and the SA kids asking for books and uniforms. Yes, if you took Oprah’s comment literally, it sounds like the materialism exhibited by the US kids turned her stomach. However, I think Oprah was really saying “the US kids just dont want to learn. They have no ambition. Give the money to the kids who will care and actually try to do something with my contribution.” Lets not forget that the philanthropist’s greatest fear is to give money to a cause which, in hindsight, turns out to be an utter waste.

Just my perspective. Love the podcast.