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Jan 19, 2007 The opening of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa in January 2007 has cultivated a vine of sour grapes from some American critics, who felt that Oprah Winfrey should have channeled the funds into the public schools of the United States of America. This criticism comes from those who live in the wealthiest nation in the world. A nation that could revitalize its own public school systems through proper allocation of funds, including improved teacher training, a serious reduction of administrators, and a complete reconstruction of how education is approached in its country. Instead of expecting Oprah to fix its schools, America must look to itself to solve its educational ills. In defense of Oprah, she does spend a generous amount of funds on education in the USA. She has graciously given scholarships to those whom she feels will benefit from her aid. In addition, her leadership academy in South Africa was a vision she longed to bring to fruition years ago. This school for young girls was her dream and she worked diligently to make it a reality. To that, some worldly criticism has been that the school’s structure was too lavish for African girls who have lived their entire lives in extreme poverty. This criticism sounds as if those who are spewing it feel that African girls are not worthy of what they have been given by Oprah. Oprah has emphatically stated, “I said from the start I am creating everything in this school that I would have wanted for myself—so that the girls will have the absolute best that my imagination can offer.” (From Oprah.com) She wants the students to “thrive and transform” and to be able to freely “dwell in possibility”. Other naysayers balk at her choice of location. The truth is, South Africa is a place where a school like this could open the doors of change for an entire world. Oprah said that she chose South Africa because, “It is a county of new beginnings, only twelve years out of Apartheid, and also for my deep love for Nelson Mandela and all that he means to this country and the world.” Oprah has said, “The greatest gift I know you can give is the gift of learning,” and these words hold true. Giving these capable students the opportunity to transform their lives beyond anything that they could ever imagine, is probably the most compassionate, progressive thing a human being can do for others. There are things that I do not support about Oprah, like her affection for diamonds—which is mined by an inhumane and environmentally destructive industry, her wearing of fur, her self indulgent publication, her lack of interviewing skills, where too often she abruptly cuts the subject off and interjects something irrelevant about herself, her fixation on celebrity, and her unleashing of that highly irritating, self-obsessed fool Dr. Phil; however, there are things about every person that we could dislike, if given the chance to do so. Oprah Winfrey is trying to make the world a better place and she is doing so with her time, effort, and funds. She has nurtured a dream and given birth to it for the entire world to see. Any time a person’s dream is given life, jealousy and criticism sparks. The important thing for the dreamer is to know that he or she is realizing that dream for the right reasons and to never lose sight of the prize. Oprah’s prize will be making the world better. “This school will teach girls to be the best human beings that they can ever be; it will train them to become decision-makers and leaders; it will be a model school for the rest of the world,” Oprah declared. Any dream that enables members of a society to have courage, compassion, and a commitment to progress, is a dream worth possessing and I applaud Oprah for having the courage, compassion, and conviction, to imagine how wonderful it could be. ------------ About the author: Christine Bruness is a published author and artist who creates "nonlinear art from the heart". She believes in the infinite power of nature and recognizes the great potential of dreams and imagination. Christine has had hundreds of poems, pieces, guest editorials, letters, essays, articles, and artwork published in both print and on-line publications. Her artwork and/or poetry most recently appeared in Skyline, Haiku Haven, Bewildering Stories, Ken*Again, 63 Channels, Poet's Ink Review, WOMB, and Bolts of Silk. Her first published book of poetry, Imbalance, an Experimental Collection of Micro Stories and Poetry can be purchased directly from the author. Email: chatnoir@comcast.net Comment on this article here! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com. Please link to this article rather than copying and pasting it onto your site (which would be unauthorized and illegal). |
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