Oprah's Award an Insult to a True Hero
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Oprah, Rusesabagina Given Freedom Awards
Both individuals are receiving the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award (National for Oprah, and International for Paul Rusesabagina). These awards recognize their sacrifices and efforts to aid their fellow man.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't believe that Oprah's fit to tie Paul Rusesabagina's shoe. I think it diminishes the public's understanding of the horror he lived through, the amazing heroism of his deeds, and the monumental sacrifice he gave in order to save the lives of those he hid, protected, and provided for during the 1994 slaughter in Rwanda . This man risked his own life, not just to save his family and friends, but to save the lives of people he didn't even know.
His story is inspirational beyond words.
He deserves this honor and many, many more.
Oprah is a great American success story. Yes, she owns a company and has her own TV show. Yes, she overcame many setbacks and hurtful events in order to reach her current level. Yes, she's supported the National Child Protection Act and other causes. And yes, she has made trips to Africa and gives large amounts of money away to help care for the children she visits.
But how can you compare someone risking his own life and courageously saving the lives of more than 1,200 individuals...knowing that he would have to give up everything he had...his business success, his home, and possibly even his wife and children...in order to save these people....with a woman expressing support for this and that and giving away an amount of money that is staggering to common folks, but by no means a sacrifice on her part?
She earned her award in celebrity comfort and without risk to her safety or any other aspect of her life. Paul Rusesabagina earned his award at great personal cost and personal danger.
I'm not saying that Oprah doesn't deserve to be recognized for her acts of charity or her advocacy, but it makes me a little ill to see her name in the title with his, and to know that the two of them will be receiving the same level of recognition.
Both individuals are receiving the National Civil Rights Museum's Freedom Award (National for Oprah, and International for Paul Rusesabagina). These awards recognize their sacrifices and efforts to aid their fellow man.
Maybe I'm wrong, but I don't believe that Oprah's fit to tie Paul Rusesabagina's shoe. I think it diminishes the public's understanding of the horror he lived through, the amazing heroism of his deeds, and the monumental sacrifice he gave in order to save the lives of those he hid, protected, and provided for during the 1994 slaughter in Rwanda . This man risked his own life, not just to save his family and friends, but to save the lives of people he didn't even know.
His story is inspirational beyond words.
He deserves this honor and many, many more.
Oprah is a great American success story. Yes, she owns a company and has her own TV show. Yes, she overcame many setbacks and hurtful events in order to reach her current level. Yes, she's supported the National Child Protection Act and other causes. And yes, she has made trips to Africa and gives large amounts of money away to help care for the children she visits.
But how can you compare someone risking his own life and courageously saving the lives of more than 1,200 individuals...knowing that he would have to give up everything he had...his business success, his home, and possibly even his wife and children...in order to save these people....with a woman expressing support for this and that and giving away an amount of money that is staggering to common folks, but by no means a sacrifice on her part?
She earned her award in celebrity comfort and without risk to her safety or any other aspect of her life. Paul Rusesabagina earned his award at great personal cost and personal danger.
I'm not saying that Oprah doesn't deserve to be recognized for her acts of charity or her advocacy, but it makes me a little ill to see her name in the title with his, and to know that the two of them will be receiving the same level of recognition.
