Oprah's Favorite Things giveaways. Car giveaways, The Angel Network. Harpo Films. Exclusive interviews with everyday people and movie stars. Free movie screenings. Musical, television, and movie casts on her show. Home makeovers.I could go on.
After 25 years, Oprah Winfrey has made this her final season. She's going out on her own terms. The countdown starts today. The Queen of Daytime. Some of us have torn her down over the years. I've heard people say that she acts too mammy-ish. She's too fat. You don't like her hair. You wonder why Stedman is really dating her.
Despite all the critics and naysayers, I'm so proud of her. Let me tell you why. A black woman from Tennessee changed the face of daytime TV. While others were trying to join the pool of trash talk TV, she refused. Now other shows follow her example. Everyone still wants to be on Oprah first.
Oprah is an educated, articulate black woman who loves to learn and loves to read. Her book club can turn an unknown author into a best selling author. Her name behind certain causes and issues raises America's conscious. She has discussed her own problems with weight, being raped at a young age, and being pregnant at a young age. She's trying to get more Americans to stop texting while driving. Oprah is making everyone sign a pledge. Comedians joke about her power and influence. She was a category on the game show, Jeopardy. That's just something America hasn't seen before.
She was the recipient of the first Bob Hope Humanitarian Award. It was well deserved. Oprah has used her money and power to help the less fortunate. Her O magazine has brought issues about women, self-help, health, torture, incest, and abuse into the America context. She built a school in South Africa for girls. Oprah created and produced the musical, The Color Purple, and gave American Idol Season 3 winner Fantasia a break. ( if you haven't seen it, catch when it comes to your city.)
Her films....oh, my goodness. Their Eyes Were Watching God, The Women of Brewster Place, Beloved, The Wedding... just to name a few. Oprah can act now. She has given many unknown talented black actors a break: sometimes, their big break. For some actors, it was an opportunity to make a comeback. Actress Halle Berry comes to mind.
Rather than tearing her down, we need to applaud her because there will never be another like her. She's done so much for so many people and has asked for nothing in return. I don't know why we build up people just to tear them down.
I congratulate her. She has been a good role model for me. She has demonstrated that black people can write, produce, develop, and produce good quality work. I think we sometimes forget that. Oprah enabled me to dream big. I thank her for sticking to her guns and for trying to help us live our best life possible. I know I'm trying to do just that. And Ms. Winfrey, enjoy your freetime. You've earned it.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Monday, September 13th 2010 at 9:30AM
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