Friday, September 21, 2007

Why do Black Men Hate on Oprah?

Over the years I've really come to admire Oprah Winfrey [Sheila Johnson too, but more on her later]. She's an extremely giving person - a humanitarian, activist, entertainer, and business woman. For someone to come from such modest roots and evolve into such a media mogul has to be commended. So why do I keep hearing such negative comments about her from black men? Envy, jealousy, feelings of inadequacy? Is it her confidence is shining so bright that it burns your eyes? A black woman shouldn't be so confident, right?

You'd think that these people who have such negative things to say would be doing something with their lives to make a difference other than "trying" to pad their own wallets -- but um....no. In my humble opinion, the ones who have such criticism are doing nothing more than hating just to hate. I don't hear women dissin' Russell Simmons - in fact I commend his business savvy and community involvement. Please, maybe I'm missing something. Share your thoughts. In the meantime, keep doing your thing O - you are truly an inspiration to millions of people around the world. She's definitely been my inspriation [along with my mother and the word of God] to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground with my head straight up and focused on my purpose.
Parting Quote: "I was raised to believe that excellence is the best deterrent to racism or sexism. And that's how I operate my life." - Oprah Winfrey

13 comments:

dclawchic said...

i have always admired oprah.. there's really something to say about a woman from mississippi... i tell you - she's the definition of resilience.

Dirty Red said...

My wife and I had this same conversation last night. Oprah is a remarkable woman. I wish she would recognize that the average black man is not on the downlow, we do not cheat on our wifes and we are not in jail.She never has a positive "average" black man on her show. She also never has anything positive to say about the black men that are doing the damn thing the right way. I.E. Taking care of their kids, their families and holding it down the legal "American" way. I also wonder why she had to go to Africa to build a school, when our own schools are failing our kids. I applaud her for everything that she does, because she is a very giving woman. More rich black people need to follow her example.

brightstarr said...

She's had numerous positive black men on the show --> Sidney Poitier (although my only problem with him is that he's married to a white woman but that's neither here nor there), Denzel Washington, Common (love him), and Russel Simmons to name a few. Also, I believe the show DL Men was a show that needed to be aired. As far as building a school in Africa vs. America --> my answer to that is why not? If she would've built on in Chicago vs. New York thre would've been criticism. I say, recognize a positive as a positive.

Anonymous said...

I don't know about the whole Mississippi thing, but who ever doesn't appreciate what Oprah probably doesn't do much in their own lives to help others.

Anonymous said...

Oh please Oprah critics do as much as her bootlickers.

Unknown said...

Well I find Oprahs movie work (production, endorsement, and promotion) a consistent portrayal and demonization of Black Men. I can understand 1 or 2 of the genre but from the Color Purple to Belvoed to Precious u can't ignore the over the top negative portrayl of Black Men in movies she endorses. She comisurates with the insecurities and genuine woes of Black Women for glory because at this stage in her career she can actually ignore her original audience..yes u sistas ...and won't miss a dime from her mainstream sponsorship. The Down Low episode was sensationalized Oprah style and even though the conversation is relevant I can't think of any negative issues about Black Women that she has hosted or debated so intimately. I don't condone infidelity or endorse homosexuality but I felt that she really exploited the topic in a "see these N's ain't shit" kind of spin. I have beef with that so in conclusion look at her body of work in film and the titles she associates herself with and/or endorses and you will see a consistent pattern of weak, abusive, and degenerate Black Men. Oprah......AARRGHHH!!!!

P.S. I do like Michelle Martin from NPR "Tell Me More"......and that nerd sista on CNBC.

Unknown said...

I know some Black Men hate on Oprah because they are jealous of her success and influence. I know a lot of my brothers are intimidated or even ambivalent towards women that make more than them. Overly critical looking for any excuse or reason to rationalize why Oprah doesn't desreve what she's rightfully earned. I know that sentiment runs strong in a lot of Black Men. I can acknowledge that that bias does exist. But I have a problem with any media figure who my sistas find above reproach. I find Oprah presenting a skewed perspective to Black Women that depicts a lot of the relationship issues we face as Black Couples as unsolvable and insurmountable or even worse just the way it is. When I watch the few Black focused relationship topic episodes she's produced u get the sense that she only wants to highlight the issues for the sake of negativity or dischord and not genuine healing and unity. The one exceptional sister who's show she did endorse was Iyanla but she just didn't have enough 'mainstream' appeal to really get enough traction. So with that being said I think a lot of middleclass decent brothers are suspicious of her motives and intent. I also wonder what other billionaire that you know has their own (get it OWN) magazine that they are on the cover every month....for some years. A sista with confidence is one thing but I think that is excessive....and obnoxious.

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Unknown said...

I know that this is old hat for most of you but I wish to bring this to the table regarding Oprah:
In her early years her show repeatedly and openly attacked Black men at almost every turn,Black women have no room to complain about Black men dating women of other races why do you ask? because you pushed us right into the arms of these women! in the years that followed Oprah's meteoric rise to fame wealth and power she empoweredd black women while simultaneously driving a wedge betwwen black men and black women. Therefore black women as a whole are product of your own making. Lonliness frustration and despair is the result of listening to Oprah.......