Oprah's Frustration with some American Students
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Oprah recently did an interview with Newsweek Link
dealing with the opening of her Academy in Africa.
Among the subjects brought up to her were the fact that she has gotten criticized for not doing that sort of project here in the U.S.
Here is part of the article:
Oprah also knows that some people will complain that charity should begin at home, even though she has provided millions of dollars to educate poor children in the United States, especially via her Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. But she sees the two situations as entirely different.
"Say what you will about the American educational system—it does work," she says. "If you are a child in the United States, you can get an education."
And she doesn't think that American students—who, unlike Africans, go to school free of charge—appreciate what they have.
"I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there," she says. "If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."
There is truth to what she is saying...there are many kids here whose minds are anywhere BUT on their education. I just hate that those kids who try really hard at getting somewhere in life get lumped into the unappreciative group. I'm very interested in what others feel about this.
dealing with the opening of her Academy in Africa.
Among the subjects brought up to her were the fact that she has gotten criticized for not doing that sort of project here in the U.S.
Here is part of the article:
Oprah also knows that some people will complain that charity should begin at home, even though she has provided millions of dollars to educate poor children in the United States, especially via her Oprah Winfrey Scholars Program. But she sees the two situations as entirely different.
"Say what you will about the American educational system—it does work," she says. "If you are a child in the United States, you can get an education."
And she doesn't think that American students—who, unlike Africans, go to school free of charge—appreciate what they have.
"I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn't there," she says. "If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don't ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school."
There is truth to what she is saying...there are many kids here whose minds are anywhere BUT on their education. I just hate that those kids who try really hard at getting somewhere in life get lumped into the unappreciative group. I'm very interested in what others feel about this.
