Oprahs new school??????

[supersunbird]

I can accept gender as a distinction, but not race...

 

[Natas]

@ Bageloo: The line between good and evil is a thin one. Oprah has done nothing to me. I am not bitter. I just happen to be able to see through all the BS. Like I have already said, Oprah does what she does for personal gain and not out of the goodness of her heart. In Oprah's defence, is it arguable that most good things that people do nowadays is done in this vain.

Lycanthrope makes a good point. One which I had not even considered. With all that money, Oprah could have set up a lot of schools. If I were her and wanted to do good, I would not have donated a cent to public schools but would have set up like 20 private schools where you can control the school, unloike with public schools. Instead Oprah has chosen to build one school where SHE will hand pick every student who will then be groomed to enter the upper eschalons of South African society.

I am not saying that if viewed objectively that the act of building the school, is part of a sinister plan to take over the african continent. I am simply saying that Oprah is essentially not a nice person. She is mean, rude, self serving and motivated by greed for even more money and power.

 

[Bageloo]

Good and evil have very little to do with any of this. Natas makes a good point. Oprah helps the unfortunate black kids of South Africa. Why not the unfortunate kids in Korea? Why not the black kids in Ethiopia?

There's a good chance that she has helped kids from other countries as well. This is surely not her first donation. Stop talking nonsense.

Mother Theresa was a humanitarian. Mother Theresa didn't have money, she helped people from the bottom of her heart and soul and did the best that she could with her bare hands. Not wads of cash.

Yeah, loads of other celebrities have wads of cash. Not all of them engage in humanitarian activities. Oprah has the cash, so why not use the cash instead of her bare hands? Please man, don't be ridiculous!

Yes, money is nice and it makes the world go 'round, but it doesn't teach morals, respect, decency, integrity or honour.

But, EDUCATION does.

It's the whole "give a man a fish" scenario. Give a man a fish, he'll eat for a day, teach him how to fish, he'll eat for a lifetime... Or until his back breaks or until he gets eaten by a shark.

. Again let me point the obvious to you. It' is not a cash handout, it is an opportunity for the kids to get good education for themselves. "...teaching him how to fish... " sounds a lot more like an education to me.

Those kids will get spoiled, some of them will do wonderfully, others won't. That's how it's always been, regardless of where you come from and what your heritage is like. Poor kids work harder than rich kids more often than not.

These are poor kids, let Oprah spoil them if she wishes. Every kid deserves to be spoilt. You probably were spoilt rotten yourself! But this is a school we are talking about. Acedemic success will surely be one of the requirements for continued sponsorship.

You say that Natas doesn't see the difference between good and evil, right? What is good and what is evil? A person could be terminally ill and in chronic; severe pain, would you put that person out of their misery? Would you keep them alive? Which action is evil? Which action is good? What category does 'mercy' fall under?

Irrelevant! Maybe you can tell me what is evil about Oprah's donation????

More good could've been done if she helped out underpriveledged schools. Sure, she doesn't have time, effort or "enough love" to cater for '40' schools, but what about 10? Or 15? Some schools take in 1000-2000 kids and squeeze them in. 10 000 kids could've been helped too.

. The school has about 160 pupils starting grade 8. There'll be more next year and the following year which works out to about 700 pupils by the time the initial group matriculates. That's free quality education for 700 disadvantaged girls.

And yeah, yeah, yeah, it's her money from her "private funds" and no one has any right to tell her what to do. But we all have the right to judge and have our own opinions on the matter.

. Yeah, yeah you have the right to your opinions but you have to substantiate every bit of it otherwise it sounds like hot air.

Small things tend to mean a lot more than big things. And bleeding to help people will always be more special and gratifying and meaningful than handing over a wad of cash.

What gave you the idea that this is a cash handout?

 

[Lycanthrope]

lol Bageloo. You're so cute ^.^ But I'd rather debate with a brick wall considering it would have the same mentality.

 

[chiskop]

Good riposte, lycanthrope.

 

[supersunbird]

Says the one brick wall to the supposed other brick wall...

 

[jontyB]

*sigh*

Some people just can't do right by some. They don't give anything, they're chastised for being selfish. They give something, they're likened to the devil and labeled evil. FFS. The woman is giving something to more kids than any of you critics are - a better life and a better chance to make it to the top. So what if she does it to expand her brand. I would rather support the Oprah brand than the Beckham brand. Or the Britney Spears or Paris Hilton brand.

Oprah is doing more than just dishing out money. She's building schools, funding food and educational programmes across the world, and empowering women to stand up and make a difference.

If you don't like what she's doing, then that's your own problem, don't criticise for no reason. Would you prefer it if she just didn't do anything good with her money?

One of you morons wrote that she is a former crackhead. So what? You have any idea how many kids on the Cape Flats are addicted to drain cleaner? I would rather have them look up to Oprah and be inspired to get out of the gutter than to die sniffing glue or smoking Tik. And for the record - Samuel L Jackson is a former crack addict and he turned out just fine.

 

[jontyB]

lol Bageloo. You're so cute ^.^ But I'd rather debate with a brick wall considering it would have the same mentality.

****ing "A" dude. Nice debating by you, the clear King of the argument ring.

 

[Bageloo]

@ Bageloo: The line between good and evil is a thin one. Oprah has done nothing to me. I am not bitter. I just happen to be able to see through all the BS. Like I have already said, Oprah does what she does for personal gain and not out of the goodness of her heart.

That's your opinion and you are fully entitled to it. However I beg to differ in this case. How is this going to benefit Oprah?

Lycanthrope makes a good point. One which I had not even considered. With all that money, Oprah could have set up a lot of schools. If I were her and wanted to do good, I would not have donated a cent to public schools but would have set up like 20 private schools where you can control the school, unloike with public schools. Instead Oprah has chosen to build one school where SHE will hand pick every student who will then be groomed to enter the upper eschalons of South African society.

What if she is to build more schools? By the way, she did not hand pick the kids, they applied and were put through a selection process.

I am not saying that if viewed objectively that the act of building the school, is part of a sinister plan to take over the african continent. I am simply saying that Oprah is essentially not a nice person. She is mean, rude, self serving and motivated by greed for even more money and power.

I am not saying she is not any of those things you mentioned, I am just exited for the future of those children suddenly looks brighter. It doesn't matter who provided the donation as long as it is a good gesture that is meant to benfit the poor, I will applaud.

 

[fivelza]

*sigh*

Some people just can't do right by some. They don't give anything, they're chastised for being selfish. They give something, they're likened to the devil and labeled evil. FFS. The woman is giving something to more kids than any of you critics are - a better life and a better chance to make it to the top. So what if she does it to expand her brand. I would rather support the Oprah brand than the Beckham brand. Or the Britney Spears or Paris Hilton brand.

Oprah is doing more than just dishing out money. She's building schools, funding food and educational programmes across the world, and empowering women to stand up and make a difference.

If you don't like what she's doing, then that's your own problem, don't criticise for no reason. Would you prefer it if she just didn't do anything good with her money?

Agree with you here, there seem to be many of the Glass Half Empty brigade around...

 

[Nod]

That's your opinion and you are fully entitled to it. However I beg to differ in this case. How is this going to benefit Oprah?

She made the donation anonymous? No media involved? No. She benifited, she's a brand, she got herself in the news.

What if she is to build more schools? By the way, she did not hand pick the kids, they applied and were put through a selection process.

"Selection process" sounds like a way to pick kids she wants. Unless you have info on what this process is?

I am not saying she is not any of those things you mentioned, I am just exited for the future of those children suddenly looks brighter. It doesn't matter who provided the donation as long as it is a good gesture that is meant to benfit the poor, I will applaud.

Sure, they will get some opportunities, nice AA jobs. Ok, so thats maybe a little pessimistic.

I feel all that money would have meant more to the country, if it was used to overhaul schools with the equipment it needs to teach kids properly. Now it will benefit a handful of kids only.

 

[jontyB]

She made the donation anonymous? No media involved? No. She benifited, she's a brand, she got herself in the news.

Brand building has become a celebrity pastime. Angelina and Brad, Britney Spears, Paris Hilton. 99% of what these people do is for their own Brand building. Oprah is giving millions back. I don't see many others doing the same (except maybe Brad and Angie). What does Hilton contribute to society besides for green washed sex tapes? Tom Cruise takes every opportunity to publicise and promote a fake religion. I think he alone is doing more damage than Oprah will ever do in 50 lifetimes.

"Selection process" sounds like a way to pick kids she wants. Unless you have info on what this process is?

The selection process was gender and wealth based. The kids had to come from a household where income does not exceed a certain amount. I.e. truly disadvantaged kids.

Sure, they will get some opportunities, nice AA jobs. Ok, so thats maybe a little pessimistic.

That's 150+ kids a year that suddenly have a chance to make it in a world where previously they probably had none.

I feel all that money would have meant more to the country, if it was used to overhaul schools with the equipment it needs to teach kids properly. Now it will benefit a handful of kids only.

The US gives billions to aid in South Africa. The South African government, however, does not want any US involvement on how that money is to be spent. We also have one of the most corrupt governments in the world. Good call Oprah, at least here she knows her money is truly helping improve the lives and futures of 150+ girls a year.

 

[supersunbird]

yes, but government has even more money than Oprah and could do overhaul schools themselves cant they?

It her money after she paid her tax, let hers use it like she wants, except if it excludes anyone on race.

If anything, blame the media for making this a headline story...

 

[fivelza]

She made the donation anonymous? No media involved? No. She benifited, she's a brand, she got herself in the news.

So if she had made an anonymous donation we would all be happy?

To follow some of the logic here, if Oprah had no money, was unable to build this school, all these kids would not have had this opportunity...some forumites would be 'happy' BUT because Oprah has money, can help, many have a lot of negative stuff to say....hmmmm

 

[Bageloo]

She made the donation anonymous? No media involved? No. She benifited, she's a brand, she got herself in the news.

Building/funding more schools would have given her maximum exposure compare to just one school. If the sole purpose was publicity I reckon she would have gone that route.

"Selection process" sounds like a way to pick kids she wants. Unless you have info on what this process is?

I saw on TV the other day, shortlisted kids were doing presentations. That's a normal selection process. Hand picking does not involve application, interviews or presentations.

I feel all that money would have meant more to the country, if it was used to overhaul schools with the equipment it needs to teach kids properly. Now it will benefit a handful of kids only.

Ja, and who would ensure that the equipment is put into good use thereafter? What about problems with proper management and poor maintainance?
You don't expect Oprah to overhaul and then oversee our entire education system now do you ?

 

[Xarog]

Lycanthrope makes a good point. One which I had not even considered. With all that money, Oprah could have set up a lot of schools. If I were her and wanted to do good, I would not have donated a cent to public schools but would have set up like 20 private schools where you can control the school, unloike with public schools. Instead Oprah has chosen to build one school where SHE will hand pick every student who will then be groomed to enter the upper eschalons of South African society.

*Cough* Credit where credit is due... *Cough*

 

[Skeptik]

What irks me is that this isn't just a school. It's a LUXURY school. She's also going to take the best teachers away from other schools.

The academy will consist of grades seven through 12. Each level will have an initial maximum of 75 students, with additional students phased in over the next several months. South African teachers and administrators will be selected from the best and the brightest of South Africa's educators, according to www.oprah.com .

Unparalleled facilities

The leadership academy is located on 22 acres (55.64 rai). The buildings and landscape will offer a safe and nurturing educational and residential environment for girls. It is designed as a campus but maintains the architectural integrity of the surrounding community.

It will include state-of-the-art classrooms, computer and science labs, a 600-seat auditorium/gymnasium, an amphitheatre, sports fields, modern dorm facilities, a dining hall, and state of the art security systems. Oprah's personal touch includes a huge fireplace in the library, according to Koinange, so the girls can snuggle up beside it and read books in the winter, and an Olympic size swimming pool to beat the heat in the summer.

Such facilities are unparalleled in South Africa, especially coming from a single donor.

http://www.bangkokpost.net/education/site2006/nf2se0506.htm
Was all that really necessary?
She could have launched two good schools instead. Why go overboard and join the elite set?

 

[jontyB]

What irks me is that this isn't just a school. It's a LUXURY school. She's also going to take the best teachers away from other schools.


http://www.bangkokpost.net/education/site2006/nf2se0506.htm
Was all that really necessary?
She could have launched two good schools instead. Why go overboard and join the elite set?

Enough now. She did it. The end.

 

[Syndyre]

She could have launched two good schools instead. Why go overboard and join the elite set?

Publicity.

 

[bwana]

School looks pretty decent - I wonder if she'd admit my African-American child?