Tuesday
Sep092008
Harpo, Who Dees Women?-- Republican Women to Boycott Oprah Winfrey!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008 at 8:10AM The Blogmother
As all of you know, Oprah Winfrey is my imaginary Aunt. I mean if you are going to make up imaginary relatives, they might as well have a really cool house in California that you can imagine visiting. Really nice clothes you can imagine borrowing and have the ability to give really nice gifts you can imagine receiving. But tis' not not all the imaginary material things my imaginary Aunty-O has given me, but the imaginary stories she could tell about real folk. Like what she was really thinking when Tom Cruise had the audacity to jump up and down on the good furniture. What she really thinks about the audience members who go crazy when she give away free socks of a tin full of caramel popcorn. ( I mean is the popcorn THAT good?)
Well anyway, they've been after my favorite imaginary Aunty since she came out and endorsed Barack Obama now they want to boycott her.
Harpo Who Dees Women? Well this is the website of the Florida Federation of Republican Women. All five of them . According to their site counter, they have only had 6800 visitors and I suspect 6750 of those have been since they announced their boycott of Oprah. However, you can sign their guest book if you would like.Here is one of the messages being left about Oprah on the Florida Federation of Republican Women's Guest book
This all got started by an unverified story on the Drudge Report saying that Oprah's staff was divided with half wanting Palin on and Oprah saying no. There were no sources. So of course because mainstream media has confused reading a blog with JOURNALISM, they ran with Drudge's story. Then Oprah made a MISTAKE and dignified Drudge's unverified report with a statement of her own. Confirming that Palin would not be invited on until AFTER the election.
Here are some of my observations. .. First, Oprah never should have responded to Drudge. He's notoriously wrong. Second, there is no explanation that Oprah is going to be able to offer that would appease her critics. Even if Oprah had Palin on , people would likely complain that Oprah wasn't warm and fuzzy enough to Palin. Third, there is no indication that Palin would have accepted an invitation, Fourth Oprah's show, she can have on whomever she wants. She built it. She maintains it. It belongs to her- I might also add that she has valiantly keep the scourge that is the Hip Hop Industrial Complex off of her stage for the most part although she has had some lapses. Fifth, do you really want Sarah Palin to receive the James Frey treatment? Sixth, Oprah is richer than Croesus. If she doesn't make another dime, she still doesn't have time to spend all of her money. Seventh, Oprah is over 50. Folks stop caring what other people think at 49.5.
But most importantly, as Oprah is being besieged by the hordes, where are the prominent Black folk who have graced her stage coming to her defense? LET THE RECORD SHOW that not a one has been seen or heard from. Why is it that when a Black man is in crisis, folk trample small children to throw up a placard an start a chant, but Oprah is on her own. Okay, maybe not on her own completely. Isiah Carey offers this perspective.
Isiah didn't you know, we're only as good as our last tap dance or touch down. The truth is that they've been gunning for her and she gave them just enough to light their little torches as they pick up their little pitchforks to go march on one of Aunty O's mansions.
Right now Oprah is probably meditating while sitting on a pile of money. "Oooom. Whateveeeeeer Ooooom"
Well anyway, they've been after my favorite imaginary Aunty since she came out and endorsed Barack Obama now they want to boycott her.
The Florida Federation of Republican Women made the decision to boycott the Oprah Winfrey Show Saturday, after the media mogul refused to have Gov. Sarah Palin as a guest on her show until after the election wraps up.
"Women in Florida helped build Oprah into the icon she is today," Linda Ivell, President of the FFRW said in a statement. "We are deeply disappointed in Ms. Winfrey's decision to sit out the greatest political moment in the history of women since suffrage." CNN.com
Harpo Who Dees Women? Well this is the website of the Florida Federation of Republican Women. All five of them . According to their site counter, they have only had 6800 visitors and I suspect 6750 of those have been since they announced their boycott of Oprah. However, you can sign their guest book if you would like.Here is one of the messages being left about Oprah on the Florida Federation of Republican Women's Guest book
As a 100% disabled Viet Nam Combat Veteran I stand behind all of you. Go ladies! boycott Oprah forever cause she ain't good enough for this country that made her RICH, well known and liberial. my 2 cents worth Florida Federation of Republican Women Guest Book
This all got started by an unverified story on the Drudge Report saying that Oprah's staff was divided with half wanting Palin on and Oprah saying no. There were no sources. So of course because mainstream media has confused reading a blog with JOURNALISM, they ran with Drudge's story. Then Oprah made a MISTAKE and dignified Drudge's unverified report with a statement of her own. Confirming that Palin would not be invited on until AFTER the election.
Here are some of my observations. .. First, Oprah never should have responded to Drudge. He's notoriously wrong. Second, there is no explanation that Oprah is going to be able to offer that would appease her critics. Even if Oprah had Palin on , people would likely complain that Oprah wasn't warm and fuzzy enough to Palin. Third, there is no indication that Palin would have accepted an invitation, Fourth Oprah's show, she can have on whomever she wants. She built it. She maintains it. It belongs to her- I might also add that she has valiantly keep the scourge that is the Hip Hop Industrial Complex off of her stage for the most part although she has had some lapses. Fifth, do you really want Sarah Palin to receive the James Frey treatment? Sixth, Oprah is richer than Croesus. If she doesn't make another dime, she still doesn't have time to spend all of her money. Seventh, Oprah is over 50. Folks stop caring what other people think at 49.5.
But most importantly, as Oprah is being besieged by the hordes, where are the prominent Black folk who have graced her stage coming to her defense? LET THE RECORD SHOW that not a one has been seen or heard from. Why is it that when a Black man is in crisis, folk trample small children to throw up a placard an start a chant, but Oprah is on her own. Okay, maybe not on her own completely. Isiah Carey offers this perspective.
As expected her popularity has plummeted according to this so called poll on the network. Never mind Oprah gave dozens of poor people cars to help with their transportation needs, just deny how she's paid for hundreds of young students to go to college, conveniently forget she's built a school to educate potentially thousands of poor African girls, disregard how she got millions of Americans to read again, erase the fact that she built an entire community for hurricane evacuees in Houston, and just ignore the millions she's given to make this country a better place. Isiah Carey
Isiah didn't you know, we're only as good as our last tap dance or touch down. The truth is that they've been gunning for her and she gave them just enough to light their little torches as they pick up their little pitchforks to go march on one of Aunty O's mansions.
Right now Oprah is probably meditating while sitting on a pile of money. "Oooom. Whateveeeeeer Ooooom"
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Reader Comments (61)
Oprah will be fine. She is tough and savvy. This will make for a great series of shows after the election. I wouldn't have Palin on either. I wouldn't give her a platform.
I ain't mad at Oprah! I remain a FAN!
That's kind of my point. When Black women are under assault, we assume they are tough and can handle it. So what if she CAN handle it?
Michael Vick could handle it, but that didn't stop folks from speakiing out on his behalf.
Sorry, but I disagree with this blog. Oprah is showing her bias. Yes it is her show (and if not another viewer tuned in, she would still be able to afford to buy all seven continents 80 years from now), it is still HER FANS that made her who she is today by watching her show, buying her books and Lord knows what else.
A lot of her faithful viewers, would love to see Sarah Palin on her show. Sarah, whether anyone likes it or not, is probably the most popular woman in America right now. People all over, whether anyone accepts it or not, can relate to her story and would love to hear more about her from HER mouth and not the medias.
IMO, Oprah should have her own the show. Period.
The religious right loves to organize boycott and make everyone nervous and they usually don't amount to much. They are all bluster. I admire Oprah for sticking by her guns. It's her show. She owns it. If Oprah can't do what she wants we are all screwed.
I see you are going to blogworld. Me too. I blog at www.womenandhollywood.com. Would love to meet up. You have my email above.
melissa
Oh c'mon. The criticism directed at Oprah is quite tepid. At the very least, Oprah had to expect something like this to happen. You cannot publicly support one candiate and then refuse to have the opposition on your show during the campaign and NOT expect criticism, let alone be accused of playing politics. This was inevitable.
Besides, it would completely suck if the GOP partisans took the high road on this issue. Let's face it, some of us got a thrill when Oprah, through her support of Barack, vanquished elitist white liberal feminism in the form of Barbara Streisand's support for Hillary Clinton. It was, for me, unfulfilling. I wanted more. Even though I am a McCain supporter, I'd like to see Oprah deliver some "haymakers" to the GOP partisan critics (I despise partisans of all political orientations so I have an agenda).
Surely we'd all be disappointed if the GOP partisans issued a statement of this sort:
"Oprah's decision to not interview Sarah Palin is her right to make decisions regarding the enterprises she built on her own. This is a validation of our stringent belief in the right to property, prosperity, and the pursuit of the happiness, core values created by our Founding Fathers as well being the very foundation upon which the GOP was founded. Oprah Winfre is the actualization of true and authentic feminist principles, a concept purely embodied by the GOP vice presidential candiate, Sarah Palin."
Where is the fun in that? Be honest, I know you guys want to see Oprah wade into the fray, kick some serious ass, and take names.
I don't think many people in general know about this. I didn't know about it until I read it here. I think it maybe in the early stages of controversey. But you know black men are still mad at her over The Color Purple, so I don't how many of them will be in her corner.
But the Oprah show hasn't been very diversity friendly or working class friendly in the past few years so I don't if the community is as Oprah loving as we used to be. Of course she is an icon, but I don't think the love of her is as great or intense as it was in the 80's and 90's.
I always contended that one thing that protected Oprah so to speak was the fact that she stayed out of politics. When she endorsed Obama, I figured that she would have to pay the price for "crossing the colorline". Oprah - through her endorsement - reminded folks that she's Black. Remember Spike Lee's 'Do the Right Thing"? White folks don't consider Black folks who have risen to iconic heaven (Oprah, Michael Jordan, and the like) to be Black.
But, your point is right on point. Another poll question? Would Oprah get a more vocal defense from the Black community? I vote YES!
No I don't think Oprah would be getting a lot of vocal support from those that would rush in to protect a Black man for a few reasons: 1. Jealousy 2. Failure to meet some standard of Blackness that only applies to a few 3. Her wealth 4. Assumption that she's ok 5. Some are happy for her public humiliation
All I have to say is where are Drs. West and Malveaux now? They got lots of words of criticism for others.
Oprah did this to herself. She should have stayed out of politics. I thought it was stupid to have George Bush on way back when.
Oprahs main audience is made up of a lot of Sarah Palins. They take deep offense at the perceived sexism that the MSM has thrown at her. Oprahs' decision is seen as just another liberal insult.
This woman, Palin, is a huge danger to the Dems. Any perceived insults will come back to haunt her. In addition, liberals on shows like the View, just don't get how much their insulting and patronizing and demonizing her is counterproductive. You always circle your wagon around one of your own (unless you're a black man, in which case black women and black gays are on their own) and the dissing of Palin makes white women (and quite a few women of color) feel insulted as well.
I've talked to women of all colors for my own blog and every single one of them says she's getting crap because she's a woman. Whether or not they support her is not important. They sense that this election cycle has unleashed sexism at it's most blatant in the MSM.
I can't help but agree with them.
It's Oprah's show; she can have anyone on she wants, or doesn't want.
She's not doing a newscast where she's supposed to show all sides of issues. She can have Obama on once a week if she wants. Sheesh!
Who do you want to speak up for Oprah? Roland Martin was on the entertainment show on CNN defending her. What kind of support do you want for her? And does Oprah really need people to come out to defend her?
I see the disparity that exists when it relates to violence against black women. But I think that when black men and women reach a certain level of influence in America the masses aren't coming to their rescue. My experiences at work last week reminded me that white folks only allow you so much power/influence before they put you in check. People are trying to put Oprah in check but they forget that she could have stopped working 10 years ago and would have been ok financially.
Oprah is one of the most influential women in the United States, she will be ok.
She's my Aunt too so I guess we're cousins.
People tend to forget that Obama is Oprah’s Senator. She’s followed his career since his days in the Illinois State Senate and has been a supporter of his long before he was even on the presidential radar. It shouldn’t be a surprise that she endorsed him for president—she had him on her show twice before he even announced he was a candidate.
The problem that people have with Oprah is internal. Disgruntled individuals who always want to tell other people what they should be doing with their power, wealth, influence and time, because it’s much easier to do than actually doing something themselves. I wonder how many of these Oprah boycotters are actively campaigning for McCain? Oprah doesn’t owe her show to anyone. She doesn’t owe it Palin anymore than she owes it to 50 cent. Just because you’re an individual from a marginalized group who has achieved something great, it does not automatically make you a hero, icon or even a respectable person. Comparing Sarah Palin to Susan B. Anthony is like comparing Obama to MLK—it’s ridiculous.
Because of her gender and skin color, people feel Oprah has an obligation to okay her actions with them--including who she invites to sit on HER couch. The entire country has been waiting for Oprah’s demise from the moment her show became profitable and her media empire unstoppable. Just like Martha Stewart, people enjoy seeing powerful woman knocked off their perch. They build you up to tear you down. So many people in this world are unhappy with themselves and they’re looking for company that’s a miserable as they are. If it’s not Palin that’s the problem, then it will be something else next week. Wasn’t Oprah catching slack a few months ago for allegedly “rejecting Christianity”. There’s nothing Oprah could ever do to satisfy everyone.
Also, why are these woman so interested in seeing Sarah Palin sit on Oprah’s couch? I rather see her on “Meet the Press”, where she can answer some real questions about stuff that actually matters. Last time I checked Oprah wasn’t a political journalist. I find it interesting that a national unknown decides to run for vice president and people are more interested in the fact that she hasn’t been granted a “lifestyle” interview than the fact that she’s avoided having any substantive conversations with the press since she announced her candidacy and has been regurgitating a her acceptance speech (which is packed with lies) on the stump all week! She has even stated that she will not speak to the press until she’s shown “deference”. I guess people want her to go on Oprah so she can be asked what her favorite ice cream flavor is and what she loves most about being a mom. Give me a break. If you want to be V.P. go do some real press and stop wining.
As for your question. No the black community isn’t going to jump to oprah’s defense. 1. because the story is not that big and isn’t on most people’s radar and 2. because some black people dislike Oprah because she’s a black woman with her own mind who is not afraid to use. Unfortunately for a lot of us, that’s a no no. 3. because some black people have never taken the pride in oprah’s accomplishments that they would take if she were a black man. therefore, there’s not a great deal of defensiveness from us when she’s attacked.
Oprah will be just fine. She could stop everything today and move to a private island and live happily ever after. It is the rest of us who will be stuck here living under another four years of mediocre white folks who could barely get out of the Naval Academy and college.
I must say Oprah lost some points with me on this one. Gina, you're right, she probably never should have responded to Drudge.
I am black, female, and conservative BTW.
Granted, it is her show and she can have WHOMEVER she wants on her show. I RESPECT that. However, don't pull the "my show isn't a political forum" and "I don't want to have any candidates on my show" BS when:
1.) You publically endorsed Obama.
2.). You had Hillary Clinton and other politicians and presidential hopefuls on your show.
3.) You've tackled very political topics on your show.
We know that Oprah is biased. We get that loud and clear. But don't assume that because the target audience is female that they're automatically liberal and think the same way you do. DW314 is right- a lot of women (no matter which side their on) can relate to Sarah Palin and demonizing and dismissing her is VERY counterproductive. If anything Oprah is helping to fan the Republican fire right now (notice how people are still talking about McCain/Palin and not Obama/Biden).
On the flip side, Floridians need a reality check. I didn't know the state of Florida was solely responsible for Oprah's success, LOL! And personally, if Oprah was a man, I'd be saying the same thing.
Oprah has the right to have on her show whomever she pleases. Any segment of her audience that perceives her stance on Palin to be partisan, has the right to boycott.
Although, I agree that Oprah is rich enough to do as she pleases whenever she pleases, I have no doubt she is feeling a bit of discomfort for her support of Barack Obama. Oprah is an amazing woman, who has quietly done a lot for many. She knew she was taking a risk by being so publicly supportive of Obama. But, she was willing to do it anyway. I respect her for that. Oprah is also the woman who could read the tea leaves at Reverend Wright's church and chose to leave it, later publishing a statement implying she couldn't subscribe to all of their tenets. I respect that too. She's a smart woman.
Obama was clear, "No, Hillary, this is my show. I'm going to do what I want to do." - Oprah decided to do the same thing.
Time will tell if it causes her problems. I personally don't think so, because I don't think the boycott will get much air time and it will die an certain death.
As for Obama, I'm not so certain.
Thanks for the link to the republican site. I'm going to write them and praise Oprah!
I am not a big Oprah fan, I do watch her sometimes when I get home from work and need some fluff. Oprah has stated that she would not have politicians on while they were running for office. Obama was on before he announced he was running for President, and has not been on since.
Palin should be on NEWS progams, not variety talk shows.
I'm taking up for Oprah because as a Black woman, no one will stand up for us. I don't care how much money she has, because this black sisterhood we're trying to build has to cross class lines; from the richest to the poorest we have to defend ourselves against unjust attacks.
she should have been the first to have her on. I am sure she would have came on her show FIRST before anyone else after she was picked.
I agree, she should have ignored that report.
One would think that as a media mogul, she would know how to handle these dust storms
but like one previous reader, she will be okay.
Glaring spelling error. "Publically" should be "Publicly."
For clarification, Oprah has not had any candidate on after they declared their candidacy. When Obama was on it was before he decided to run.
Actually she had Gore and Bush on but I believe she decided no more after that.
Can anyone tell me who Oprah allowed on her show to campaign?
This is not about Sarah Palin. This is another notch in the six-shooter of the right wing-nuts hand gun: 1) They believe Oprah is a cult leader; 2) They believe she was wrong for endorsing Obama; 3) They believe she is dissing Sarah Palin.
Why shouldn't Oprah decide who comes on her show? Oprah's show is not a news outlet, it is strictly entertainment with a little info thown in from time to time. For those who are disappointed by Oprah not letting Palin "grace" her stage, why are you not asking why hasn't Palin been on Face the Nation, Meet the Press, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, or CNN. This is an election, and not some personality contest. Well, by golly, maybe it is. Isn't that what the Rethugs are saying.
Thanks Faith for the clarification. I was speaking about this election year in my last post :)
Personally I think that white men have wanted to dismantle the Oprah empire for quite some time. Now they're jumping on the "oh no she didn't!!" bandwagon to push their wives firmly onto "their" side. Whiteness will always trump gender, class, and yes, even Oprah.
I;ve always felt that Oprah built her empire by embracing these women but also criticizing them and belittling them at the same time. That's why I could never really get into her show. Too much about what I need to do and not enough celebration of what I've been able to accomplish despite sexism and misogyny in society.
IDK, this is all just desserts to me. She doesn't need defending, she has obviously made her choice. If she is concerned with needing to win back those women then I'm sure she has the organization and money to do so. Otherwise she either doesn't care or doesn't believe the media hype.
The GOP Floridians will get over it. Oprah's been hassled by folks like them before.
The one person who is extremely jealous of, and has her name in his mouth almost daily is Rush Limbo. I wouldn't be surprised if the harassment campaign was his idea.
Oprah can do what she wants. Its her show and the audience doesn't have control on who comes on the show.
She already threw her support behind Obama, which she has a right to do, how does that look if she all of a sudden puts Sarah Palin on the show?
The Republicans knew damn well she would say no, thats why they asked so they could make an issue out of it.
This is an attempt to shore up sympathy points for her.
Iman said:
Because of her gender and skin color, people feel Oprah has an obligation to okay her actions with them–including who she invites to sit on HER couch. The entire country has been waiting for Oprah’s demise from the moment her show became profitable and her media empire unstoppable. Just like Martha Stewart, people enjoy seeing powerful woman knocked off their perch. They build you up to tear you down.
*****************
Exactamundo
Clmike: She already threw her support behind Obama, which she has a right to do, how does that look if she all of a sudden puts Sarah Palin on the show?
It really wouldn't make her look any kind of way- she'd just be having another guest on her. It may even make her look balanced. But again, it's Oprah's show and Oprah can do whatever she wants with it. Just don't be surprised when people have opinions about what you choose to do.
@Zabeth
This is not another guest this a politician trying to get to the White House by using a popular show amoung women, after the host already chose a side.
No one said she wasnt going to catch fire for it, but lets not be silly in thinking the conservatives didnt know this and basically pulled a reverse race card here.
This is the same group that got Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann Removed from anchoring of the major political events because they had a slant on their coverage as if the entire Fox news company is objective.
clnmike said "This is the same group that got Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann Removed from anchoring of the major political events because they had a slant on their coverage as if the entire Fox news company is objective."
Brian Williams and Tom Browkaw in addition to Olberman's enormously large ego got them yanked. MSNBC was affecting the perception of NBC. Not to mention, they weren't getting rewarded in the ratings for it.
@Clnmike: your post makes the most sense and is the closest to the reality of the situation. As I said on another post, McCain - and the Republicans - have out-slicked Obama and his campaign by thinking all of this out beforehand. For anyone to think Gov. Palin was not vetted thoroughly before being named is naive at best. They knew exactly how their opponents would react, including Oprah who came out quite vocally in support of Obama, using her celebrity and money to help him. Now, Matthews and Olbermann are just the first casualities in the Republicans grand manuevering.
IMO, Oprah should have kept her endorsement to herself or should have continued as she has and not publicly endorsed anyone while doing whatever she wanted to privately. White folks are getting whipped up into a kinda mean state, IMO, so I think Lady O will be getting some backlash from her perceived bias. Already her magazine subscriptions are down, and the Nielsens report that her viewership on her show have gone down slowly since her public announcement of her support for Obama. Oprah doesn't help herself any by making statements like "I cried my eyelashes off listening to Barack's speech." Several talk radio hosts are asking why Oprah didn't cry her eyelashes off during Gov. Palin's speech (their words, not mine). So, I think this is just the beginning of some people turning their frustrations towards Oprah because she makes a big target.
"Brian Williams and Tom Browkaw in addition to Olberman’s enormously large ego got them yanked"
No it did not get them yanked since all broadcasters with an opinion has an ego, see Bill O'Reilly who still has a job. This is an effort to silent rebellious voices to the "empire". The same moves that have been made against black churches that have thrown support for Obama, Oprah, and Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann.
Lets not pretend that this all done out of fair play.
I find this whole line of discussion hterical and its on my own blog.
First, the Black community has NEVER had a problem running to the aid of another Black person no matter what their past transgressions. Y'all tripped over yourselves defending Pastor Right.
People tripped over themselves defending Michael Vick.
Dave Chapelle, Bernie Mac, DL Hughley, That guy from the Coca Cola commercials.
Let any random Black person be hounded and its circle the wagons, but not OPRAH. Oprah is rich. Oprah is strong. Oprah is wrong.
Since when has WRONGNESS been a barrier to having BLack people rally to your aid?
Where are all the BLack folks who have graced her stage? huh? that's all I am asking. Where is Jamie "I have an opinion on everything" Fox.
Oprah could endorse whoever in the heck she wanted to. Barbara Streisand endorses. George Clooney Endorses. Will. I.Am endorses. Why can't Oprah endorse as well.
I don't care abou the politics. What annoys me is the unwillingness to circle the wagons for lady O. Right now in Detroit there are people picketing for that ignorant fool Kwame Kilpatrick. We don't have a problem defending ignorance, but a Black woman had better be pure as the driven snow and then some to get us to pick up a placard.
I loved your closing "Right now Oprah is probably sitting on a pile of money meditating"
Hilarious!! Ms. Pitbull can be coddled by Fox News "journalists". She doesn't need Oprah.
"Oprah should have kept her endorsement to herself"
What good is an endorsement if you keep it to yourself?
If Sarah wants to be on a 'woman's show' there's always Ellen; or The View. In light of these shows it appears that the only reason to go on Oprah is because of her support for Obama.
Sarah belongs on news/journalism shows, not daytime entertainment.
As for some white women protesting- I don't care. I don't watch Oprah much, but I admire what she's achieved and inspired others to do.
The election process has turned into a circus; personalities, morals, pregnancies, moose, religion, flags, etc.and not enough about the issues that matter.
"Disgruntled individuals who always want to tell other people what they should be doing with their power, wealth, influence and time, because it’s much easier to do than actually doing something themselves."
Amen.
Personally, I'm not interested in seeing a "pitbull with lipstick" ---Palin's description of herself as a "hockey mom"--- on Oprah's show. Good for Oprah. She doesn't have to function as an "equal opportunity institution." She owns the show and can do what she wants. That fact is what irritates the haters so much.
Black women exercising ownership and control always freaks out the right. Our exercise of power is the ultimate challenge to everything they believe.
It looks like Oprah is well defend here and other spots were it counts.
Gina said:
What annoys me is the unwillingness to circle the wagons for lady O. Right now in Detroit there are people picketing for that ignorant fool Kwame Kilpatrick. We don’t have a problem defending ignorance, but a Black woman had better be pure as the driven snow and then some to get us to pick up a placard.
****************
I agree with you. Black Women have always had to fight on their own. We have no problem defending all kinds of black men's foolery (i.e Michael Vick) but black folks ALWAYS seem to place that "She is a strong woman, she could handle herself" label on black women
Oprah has done sooo many goods things for underpriviliged people and it's a shame that black folks don't have her back when she may need it. We have no hesistation when it comes to defending men but defending a black woman *crickets chirping*
I have never been a huge fan of Oprah though I do occasionally watch her show. I believe that she has the right to have whom ever she wants on her show. I find it interesting that when people cannot get a black person to tap to the beat of their drum all of a sudden they are the scourge of the earth. Oprah is interested in playing mammy to keep white folks happy and more power to her for that.
I love the 49.5 statement! I love Oprah! I love this post!
I dont here any crickets chirping here or any other blog, Oprah has been well defended from a very half assed attempt to ruin her good name.
I don't watch Oprah's show, but I like her. More importantly I respect her. She put her weight behind the candidate she liked. And, its her right.
Ellen gets on my nerve. I don't watch her show, either. Why does everyone have to dance with her? That just seems odd. But, hey...it's her show.
The view...I have watched, but not as a habit. I agree, Palin should go on the news shows. It probably helps her to have the public believe that Oprah gave her the cold shoulder.
As for "shiver up my leg" Chris Matthews and Keith Olbermann, I'm surprised they've lasted this long AND the same for OReilly. But, O'Reilly does "pretend" to be unbiased "sometimes". Keith won't even pretend.
There is a journalist and a historian somewhere inside of Chris Matthews. When "that" Chris Matthews is talking, I listen.
Well I don't watch a lot of tv unless its science or maybe tcm, so I don't know who Harpo is or half these people you mention but I do know who Oprah is, and granted, she has done a LOT for people less fortunate and in fact I would say, probably MORE than the majority of people with her kind of money, on that she sets an example that should seriously,
make Republicans ASHAMED.
But, there IS an easy solution to this little problem,
bring ole Sarah on, and on the same show,
1. bring on one or two of those RAPE VICTIMS IN WASILLA WHO HAD TO PAY FOR THEIR OWN RAPE KITS
2. bring on numerous teen mothers in Alaska who are homeless due to 'cuts in shelters', even if from 5% to 3%, thats still hefty and, hey,
3. bring on some of the big developers who benefited from Palin's legislation at the same time with those teen mothers, you know, those who CHOSE TO NOT ABORT, were living on the street,
why, hey, INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW, and who better to give fair air time than Oprah? I'm SURE Palin would have no problem with that,
and to make it more interesting,
4. bring on those people who supported that librarian, would love to know which books were contested, if not banned, why the need for 100 people to rally around the librarian and why the blog librarians against Palin?
Last but not least, if according to Palin's words, if its GOD's Will that there be war in Iraq, is it ALSO GOD'S WILL THOSE WOMEN WHO PAID FOR THEIR OWN RAPE KITS,
be raped? Is it God's will that those women be murdered in Pakistan? According to Their judges it sure was, so,
if we are going to do policy now based on God's Will, then, whose to say, that Their God isn't right, and ours wrong?
Its really Dangerous ground I think when we have politicians who publicly declare, even if it is just in church, that its God's will for war, that its God's will that 14 year old girls are gang raped in Iraq, or that its God's Will that how many girls at the age of 10 are trafficked out of Iraq into Syria now?
Why not have her on and have her explain herself, after all, if America is wanting a theocracy, similar to Sharia law but under a Christian type of Medieval Age, don't the American people have the right to know, just how MEDIEVAL ITS GOING TO GET?
Hey, I do, I want to know if I need to start hiding my one daughter who has a cross eye, you know they Burned girls back in the Dark Ages for that, they were 'witches' and Hey, back then,
it was GOD'S WILL.
Amen and Amen...Oprah I say, heck, bring her on, can't be any worse than the direction America is going, LOL.
[now I'm off to go have a drink while its still legal, is it isn't it?????]
Natasha :)
this too shall pass, oprah. those same women would cry their booties off if she brought her favorite things show to florida. lol anyhoo a lot of white women don't like oprah. i used to visit o's message board and i can't even begin to tell you how many folks were calling her a racist. this was way before her obama endorsement.
I'm getting sicker of white women as the days progress. They want it all, they want to act like they are victims and then they want to act like they're in charge. I wouldn't give Palin an audience just like I wouldn't give David Duke an audience.
I totally agree with you gem and iman.
I am not an Oprah fan, but I feel the woman has the right to endorse whomever she wants.
I kinda feel thats the whole push behind getting Palin on her show. Even if her polls show that she is slipping - she carries a lot of influence and Palin appearing on her show could be a pseudo endorsement for the Rep.
I also feel its funny that people think she can deal with this kind of persecution alone.
Why no protection for the women?
I don't think that it's just black people not stepping up about Oprah but I'm concerned that we aren't stepping up about a lot of things. I don't see many people stepping up about the boycott of Oprah and I don't see many people complaining about Elizabeth Hassleback of the Views highly unprofessional and shameful comments directed at Michelle Obama at the Republican National Convention. The Republicans know how to play dirty politics and are doing a good job at it these days. I think we as black women and men need to galvanize and stand up on a lot of things. We need to stand up. We stand on the brink of history. This is not the time for silence on anything.
Can't anyone see this attack on Oprah is clearly so racist that it's a wonder the women advocating it are not ashamed to even show their faces.
I co-sign Eva's sentiments.
"I’m getting sicker of white women as the days progress. They want it all, they want to act like they are victims and then they want to act like they’re in charge."
Same thing happened with some disgruntled Hillary supporters. I'm specifically thinking about the older white lady who ranted about Obama being an inadequate Black Male.
Some, not all - the conservative types, or white fold are losing their minds. All of these "uppity" black folk are out-numbering them and got as much or more clout than them. Times are a-changing, becoming more fair and even.
I think what really makes them afraid is the possibility of payback because karma is real. but I think most (black) folk aren't thinking about revenge. Just getting our fair opportunity is revenge enough.
hahaha