April 12, 2006
Oprah's Baltimore visit
The queen of daytime TV, indeed perhaps American womanhood, took aim at the deplorable Baltimore schools on her visit to her training ground as as broadcaster, as she returned Monday for a fundraiser.
She's refusing to commit funds however until she sees some slim hope of a sustainable improvement. From "Baltimore turns the other check for Oprah, Baltimore Sun, April 12:
"What I've learned from my philanthropic givings is that unless you can create sustainability, then it's a waste," said Winfrey, whose Angel Network has raised more than $35 million to support charities and offer grants around the world. "You might as well pee it out."During the WBAL interview, Oprah also stated that she has spoken about Baltimore's struggling school system with leaders around the world.
"I was actually sitting in Nelson Mandela's house telling him about the black male situation here in Baltimore," Winfrey said. "He did not believe me! I know it's easy to ignore, because you think it's East Baltimore and it doesn't have anything to do with your life and you're moving through your life. I just feel a sense of connection to that from which I've come."
City leaders are quoted as being on the defensive. Well they should be. The schools are a disgrace. I remember being puzzled, at a loss, and ultimately saddened when one teen employee of mine, helping on a repair project, couldn't put a vice away in storage bin because he couldn't read "v-i-c-e."
I've written in the past about our schools and the students they produce:
The situation is complex, obviously, but none of this helps either the suffering residents of this city, or its legions of almost perfectly empty-brained public school students. I have in the past hired local kids for various tasks, 14-year-olds who cannot tell me their wages (hours times rate) at the end of the day, or read labels in my workshop well enough to put a tool away.
So, others among us have come to identical conclusions to Oprah's.
A couple of years ago, the Megamillions jackpot reached in the hundreds of millions. My soccer buddy Rachel asked me to buy her a couple of tickets. She's an idealist and a city resident, and planned to use any winnings to help out the schools.
"Don't do that!" I nearly shrieked. When I settled down, I could clarify my thoughts: "The money would just go to North Avenue and be part of the waste. Found or support a charter school instead."
Oprah, girlfriend, you and I think alike!
A poster on the Baltimore Sun talk boards took a shot at Ms. Winfrey: "Yeah someone hosting a talk show that people sit around during the day watching has really contributed to a solution."
Well, one thing you can never accuse Oprah of is being all talk, or all talk show host. She's an action lady, who takes cash and supplies to South Africa, Ethiopia, New Orleans and many other places.
I'm trying to learn how to pitch my forthcoming book to her producers, and have been watching her show for the past six weeks. For the most part, I am very favorably impressed. When I ask professional women about the show, they always credit her for "what she does for women." That's a substantial compliment from a group that probably doesn't form the main base of her audience. But the admiration is there, and it's genuine.
If Oprah decided to get involved with Baltimore schools, they would have a genuine and committed friend -- and one who wouldn't be snowed by a catatonic school bureaucracy, burnt-out teachers, glassy-eyed students or even ne'er-do-well parents. A lot of people would have some shaping up to do.
- posted by jbelliveau at 10:33 AM in
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