In Defense of Oprah
Of late, I have taken some good natured ribbing at a few blogs for “coming out” as having a great deal of respect for Oprah Winfrey. After further exploring, it turns out that Oprah takes a fair share of hits from Christians online, the emerging variety being no exception. While I am not entirely surprised, I am somewhat disappointed by the (often) knee-jerk and shallow characterizations about Winfrey that are all too common. And so, after some coaxing I have decided to explain in detail why I like Oprah and why I think we all shouldn’t be so quick to judge or dismiss her.
Let me begin with a disclaimer. I am by no means advocating Oprah as an absolute model for all of us to follow. Nor am I trying to convince anyone that Oprah represents a Christian leader (too many people, either pro or con, try to envision Oprah as a pastor of some vast media church). I am uncomfortable with the emphasis on material wealth and “things” that are so central to the show(s), website and magazine. Her emphasis on forgiveness, while largely a positive feature, should not be equated with the forgiveness put forth by Christianity.
Oprah is by no means my central life hero, nor an icon for human perfection- nor would she ever claim anything of the sort. However, being as hugely popular as she is, it is too easy to make her a target. I do not understand the tendency for people to dislike something or someone simply because so many others like it or them, especially in the Church. I think there is much for us to respect of and learn from Oprah, the emerging church included. I will try to explore a few of the reasons here:
She Is An African American Woman: As the emerging church claims to be a more embracing community (or at least working towards it), we should be careful not to dismiss the powerful voice of Oprah Winfrey. As an African American, she has shattered assumptions, expectations and stereotypes, both overt and subtle, that our highly racialized, white culture still holds, made only that much more powerful by the fact that she is a woman. We would be wise to recognize that Oprah has the ear of tens of thousands of women, many who listen to her with unprecedented trust and loyalty. There is something in what she is saying & doing (and how she is saying & doing it) that we (the Church) would do well to consider if we hope to bridge this gap- a gap, consequently, that we are largely responsible for creating.
She Creates Community: An uncanny gift that Oprah seems to wield is her ability to make her viewers & readers feel part of something bigger. Having followed the show fairly frequently over the years, I cannot help but notice how I feel present when watching, both with Oprah and with the mass of other viewers around the world. This is further deepened by the unrivaled virtual community created through her website, which is not only a way for viewers to connect with each other, but also a treasure chest of resources that any church would envy. (Her book club is also an aspect of this community experience, but I will comment on that at the end of this post).
She Is Real: In a culture that glamourizes our stars and heroes to the point of absurdity, Oprah has been remarkably open with her own human nature. Whether it is her struggle with weight or her history of abuse and rape, she pulls back the curtain, exposing a real person. Certainly she is glamourous and no doubt a celebrity, Oprah breaks stereotypes by rooting her life experience right alongside all of ours. Even in her programming, Oprah openly acknowledges (and chastises herself for) her own mistakes in using peoples misery for sensationalism (which she has, arguably, only done once).
She Is An Agent Of Change: Some time ago, I heard a Canadian journalist/activist, who has dedicated her life to fighting AIDS in Africa, tell of meeting Oprah in Africa on one her trips there. She cynically dismissed Oprah’s “promise” to make the world aware of this 20 year problem turned pandemic. However, on returning to North America, this reporter had to swallow her words when she encountered the number of people (especially women) who were not only aware, but actively involved in the cause. This is just one example.
Perhaps most admirable is how she has brought issues, such as sexual abuse, out of the shadows and into the lives and living rooms of millions. While her own experiences obviously bias her perspective, she has given voice to such important concepts as restorative justice (a concept deeply Christian, yet widely unknown or misused in the Church). Her recent push to catch America’s most wanted child predators quickly resulted in three arrests, one caught in Belize and another in Costa Rica by local viewers. While silent about her own political affiliation, she has challenged millions to better awareness and involvement, increasing voters in demographs most noted for low turn out. And this just brushes the surface.
Again, I am not trying to convince anyone that we should all be card-carrying Oprah-phites, daily viewers, magazine subscribers and Book Club enthusiasts. Nor am I suggesting (and neither is Oprah) that she should viewed as a “Christian Leader” (though Christianity plays unveiled place of strong influence in her life). While not enough to disqualify them at all, there are even flaws that we could explore, many within the very points I have raised above. She is human, after all.
However, given the unending stream of utter drivel, blasphemous garbage and politically prostituted programming, we could do much worse than the kind of product (and let’s be clear here, it IS a product) Oprah produces. I am completely convinced that television (and even the world, on some levels) would be worse off in the absence of Oprah. In looking for role models in popular culture, we could do far worse than a woman deeply respected by people such as Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Rosa Parks. In the end, I think it behooves us to pursue a more embracing attitude toward this woman who has risen from a tragic history (to which she credits God) to become one of the most powerful and influential forces for good in popular culture.
Postscript: With the recent scandal surrounding James Frey & his “memoirs”, an Oprah Book Club selection, much attention has been paid to critiquing the quality Oprah’s golden touch on all her book club selections. While I wonder at her quick defense of Frey, she can hardly be faulted for his mistake or the publishers failure to demand integrity. However, the doors of criticism are again wide open. Many are digging up author John Franzen’s discomfort with his book, “The Corrections” being chosen by Oprah, worried that it would cast along side some of the former selections, which he called schmaltzy and one dimensional. Many people go out of their way to avoid the “Oprah Book Club” label, even if choosing the same title in a different printing.
Again, why do we attack a woman who has contributed to a significant and healthy increasing in reading in a culture to works to furiously to discourage it? When thousands of people, who would otherwise not even consider it, are reading Tolstoy and Steinbeck, we need to give credit where it is due. Certainly she also promotes books that are considered of “literary” quality, but this further reflects Oprah’s human-ness, reflecting her personal taste regardless of criticism (Besides, the snobbery in the literary world fails to acknowledge the importance of popular fiction in our culture). Consider that, demographically, most of her book club members are the main market for trashy romances.
Many of us would benefit from picking up a few of Oprah’s reading selection.
No, all of your reasons are right, and you’re right in saying that all these things would be good for us to copy in Oprah. I think the things she has done, the walls she has knocked down, and hope that she has given to many cannot be taken lightly.
jamie,
great post! I apologize for not responding sooner on your question of Oprah. Honestly, I haven’t thought in depth about it except to say that I agree with your point about her being an African American woman.
Two points.
1. In America, I get the suspicion that Oprah can become a foil for conservatives who believe the typical narrative regarding race relations: After King, the Civil Rights movement, Civil Rights legislation, and a few black celebrities and businesspeople…we are alright…that the walls of racialization have tumbled down since the 60s. That is the popular conception of race relations here in America. I think Oprah’s prominence can be interpreted as saying…everything is great among the races…that the incessant whining of progressives and liberals (or anyone who still acknowledges the profound problems surrounding ‘race’) are not in synch with reality. Of course, there have been huge improvements…but as King said (in his thoughts about being an optimist vs. a pessimist regarding race relations…taking the third way, being a realist) we have a long way to go. Now…I am not saying that Oprah intends this…she is just another example of how race gets processed in this society…for every one black person that ‘makes it’…three or four are in the margins of society. Oprah doesn’t represent the reality of most African Americans…unfortunately she gets the honor of being an ‘example’ hoisted by white folks (and some middle class black folks).
2. She is an example of public virtue. She is a good citizen. In many under-sourced communities we need more ‘examples’ of public virtue to be sure. That’s why I consider Oprah’s presence to be more of a plus than a negative. She is also an example of attempting to have real discourse in our hard-ball saturated media. We are inundated with people shouting at each other across the desk…Oprah’s forum seems to be more of a public conversation than a shouting match. She is a humanitarian.
I don’t have anything against Oprah. She’s secular.
But I wanted to correct you on your post script – it’s James Frey. LOL The only reason I know this is because I have a friend from Winnipeg by the name of James Frey who comes to Shabbat. He’s cool.
Oh did you hear my big news of the week? Go check out the blog. Heh. I’m stuck in Canada.
Lukas,
Thanks for helping me "come out" on the Oprah issue (wink). It was quite interesting researching to write this article. I learned a lot more in the process myself.
Peace,
Jamie
Anthony,
No worries about the the email. I assumed you were as busy as you usually are. Glad you were able to add you very needed opinion here in the comments.
I had considered the reality of how Oprah could be used to ignore the reality of racialization in America, but not as articulately as you stated it. Thanks for that. I think that Oprah may actually contribute to the problem in her embracing of the "American Dream" perhaps a little uncritically, not making the connection between how American established its wealth and the exploitation of the African/African American people.
However, like you mention in your second point, I believe her to be more of a plus than a minus. In fact, having followed her for years, I see a depth and maturity emerging in her leadership, as she tackles more intentionally those things most needing to be addressed. I look forward to see where it leads.
Peace,
Jamie
Jez,
We will have to have a discussion on the problem with the "sacred vs. secular" dichotomy. Perhaps I will post on it soon.
That being said, I am glad you don’t hate Oprah (wink). But email and let me know the details of your recent "altercations".
Peace,
Jamie
re: sacred and secular
I’ll just post one of my favorite quotes from Fr. Alexander Men. Explicitly it is in regards to art, but the application can certainly be broadened to include all of life. This is from "Two Understandings of Christianity" (see http://www.tuirgin.com/orthodoxy/articles/two_understandings_of_christianity.html
"I myself, I don’t know what the word ‘secular’ means. It is a conventional historical term because there is a spiritual element in everything—or not, as the case may be. Even though the title under a picture may say ‘The Virgin Mary’, if the picture is painted in an uninspired way, if it has something superficial, banal and flat about it, then it won’t have anything to do with spirituality. And it’s very important to understand that there isn’t some literature which is spiritual and some which is unspiritual or ‘secular’, but rather there is literature with spirituality and literature without spirituality, there is good literature and bad literature. And truly good literature will always have a bearing on the eternal problems."
Secular to me = not a Christian. I can’t "create" Oprah. She’s secular as she is, until she finds Christ.
Just typed your name in google and found an article about Oprah, a person whom I admire. I do share your feelings about the materialism that seems to be promoted at times.
A nice post. I find myself waffling where Oprah is concerned – between respect and disrespect. I have alot of respect for her, but sometimes I get skeptical of all the people who follow a celebrity like her so blindly. Even celebrities make mistakes – BIG ones – and I get a little nervous any time a human being is put on such a high pedestal. But you’re right, she has done a lot of good in this world.
Maria,
So glad you found my blog! Drop me an email to fill me in on all that has happen since we last chatted (which, by your link, is a lot!).
Peace,
Jamie
Heather,
I agree with the critique, though I don’t think we can attribute that to Oprah herself, rather than the over-board fans who take it to far.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, thanks for the helpful thoughts here on Oprah. Gives me a new appreciation of her, as I don’t tune in to talk shows.
Ted
Jamie………Very brave and admirable stance. Agree with all you have said about Oprah and the whole phenomenon of ‘virtual community’ etc that she has created. It is also pertinent at a time when perhaps a rightful emphasis on ‘Kingdom’ or ‘rightful’ living is being established….that we should ponder on all of these things.
Thanks,
Lorna
Lorna,
Thanks! I appreciate the encouragement. I am still getting that good-natured ribbing from the guys, but I am glad I posted it.
Peace,
Jamie
ahhh, a well balanced defence of celebrity and the good that can roll out of such a role. thanks for making Opray Winfrey a human again and not mentioning Bono anywhere in this piece
p.s. that piece of art which led me to this post was not intended to be an attack on the woman in discussion – to be honest, most of my art as of late has been “shoot first, ask questions later.” if i knew what i wanted to express, i’d probably just write it in the first place, so i’m very appreciative when we get some interaction going on…cheers.
James,
Thanks, I’m glad you liked it. No worries on the art that led you here. I knew you weren’t attacking. Keep the art coming!
Peace,
Jamie