Weird how quiet people were about Oprah when she was here. (Chicago: neighborhoods, gated)

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

There is always a thing where she didnt help this community or give to that community. When she endorsed President Obama people had a problem. When she built the schools in Africa, people had a problem with her support dark skinned Africans girls instead of other races. If she had done something for schools on the west side, there would have been garbage talk about that. Give me a break people. Has it ever been thought about the world being bigger than one culture and that there are people just as deserving in other parts of the world? Does anyone know the history of the schools in Africa vs west side of Chicago?

I said "I wondered about it." I found it curious. I was not rioting in the streets against it. I am well aware of the philanthropic needs in other countries (and I also spent a college summer volunteering in Africa).

The west side schools near her studio area are some of the worst, most dangerous schools in the country. I just would have enjoyed a show where they gave away, say, $10,000 each to hundreds of Chicago area schools, instead of the "Favorite Things" show where they gave away $10,000 each to hundreds of suburban soccer moms in the form of cars, iPhones, Prada purses, and Spanx.

One of my good friends is a well-off soccer mom who sold the items she had won on an Oprah show on Ebay (including some very sought after, limited release electronics and autographed music memorabilia). My friend made a pretty penny on these items. But, hey, Oprah is free to do whatever she likes with her own money.

[aragx6]

She's definitely given money to education in Chicago in the past: Oprah Donates $1 Million To Chicago's LEARN Charter School Network

[GoCUBS1]

Originally Posted by aragx6

She's definitely given money to education in Chicago in the past: Oprah Donates $1 Million To Chicago's LEARN Charter School Network

That is awesome... The article noted that it was one of the last checks she wrote from her Angel Network. I like her more now.

[Jzer21]

Originally Posted by knitgirl

We don't get all excited about celebrities.

We have none worth getting excited over.

[jahk]

Also, Oprah wasn't, well, Oprah when she started hosting her show. She wasn't a celebrity when she started working in Chicago media. By the time she became a celebrity and media giant she was already familiar as a Chicagoan.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by GoCUBS1

The west side schools near her studio area are some of the worst, most dangerous schools in the country.

Because of the students themselves. Solving that problem is a political one beyond the control of a TV star.

But in a poor nation one can provide something people don't have in the first place and for people that will probably put it to good use at that.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by sunnyandcloudydays

You know I can honestly say I have never watched an episode of oprah.

I've never watched one single episode of American Idol.

[andrew61]

Originally Posted by mjtinmemphis

There is always a thing where she didnt help this community or give to that community. When she endorsed President Obama people had a problem. When she built the schools in Africa, people had a problem with her support dark skinned Africans girls instead of other races. If she had done something for schools on the west side, there would have been garbage talk about that. Give me a break people. Has it ever been thought about the world being bigger than one culture and that there are people just as deserving in other parts of the world? Does anyone know the history of the schools in Africa vs west side of Chicago?

Bah. If there's one thing I've learned in my 50+ years, it's that no matter what you do in life, some people are going to be critical of you. If you worry too much about what other people think, you can't win. It's best to just be true to yourself and do what you believe is right.

I, for one, have a great deal of respect for Oprah and think she's done a lot of good in the world.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by andrew61

It's best to just be true to yourself and do what you believe is right.

Yeah, like Hitler.

[linicx]

The real problem with philanthropy is where to stop. I imagine that Oprah very quietly did many things for Chicago kids on the condition of remaining anonymous.