In the midst of all the drama surrounding President Barack Obama's speech to schoolchildren on Tuesday, there's one Chicago resident who will support the commander-in-chief through thick and thin. The one and only Oprah Winfrey admitted that she was stunned by the amount of backlash the president was receiving after encouraging students to rise above their challenges to succeed in school.
In an exclusive interview with 'Access Hollywood' on Wednesday, the multitalented media mogul professed her frustration over the recent events.
"I'm just really stunned by people who feel that the president, the leader of our country and of the free world, saying to your children it's important for your success, the success of your families and our country, for you stay in school, that education is vital to your well-being. ... I don't understand it. I do not understand it," Winfrey said.
Leading up to the speech, conservatives criticized and feared that the president would use the opportunity to further address his plans for health care reform, among other things. All of which led to various protests and actions such as certain schools refusing to televise the message.
"I think those children missed out, and I think that's the message we're trying to send," Winfrey asserted. "If you're a country that doesn't want your children to hear that message, then who are we really? That's what I think."
Oprah is set to kick off her 24th season of 'The Oprah Winfrey Show' with a special guest appearance from six-time Grammy Award winner Whitney Houston on Monday, Sept. 14, and Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. ET.
With Labor Day weekend behind us, people across America are heading back inside to tune into the latest shows on television. Luckily, Black Voices has a sneak peek at some of this season's hottest shows with our very own TV guide. Check it out!
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Comments: (33)
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By: Dub_J on 9/10/2009 3:47PM
Some of the people in this country will never get it. Here is a positive intellctual leader telling people that they can do well in life through education and there is a backlash. The people on the right will not let this man do his job effectivly at all. I hope he gives more words of encouragement to all of us. Words are everlasting, for those that seen or heard his speech will have a lasting impact on their lives. Just as FDR, JFK inspired a nation BHO is attempting to do the same.
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By: Brandi on 9/10/2009 9:21PM
I agree. But can't be surprised by this country. Shows how mature some of these 'adults' are. Pulling your children out of school over a speech? I see where our priorities lie.
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By: rasil on 9/13/2009 11:49AM
Perhaps you are not getting the full picture here. These right wing fear, mongering, demagogic nuts are actually fearful themselves. Think on this...every plan under the sun has been perpetrated against African Americans (AA) with the intent of destroying us. Slavery, lynchings, Jim Crow, drugs, AIDS,incarceration, and the mis-education of our youth. To have an AA, the leader of the free world...(President) has become frightening to Whites. I am absolutely certain that this is an attack on the president for the following three reasons. Firstly, he is Black. Whites fear losing their perceived power and privilege. Secondly, this controversy is really not so much about the POTUS giving a back-to-school speech as much as it is about the continued effort of the obstructionists' efforts to discredit and dishonor Pres. Obama. Lastly, the White man's greatest fear is that a Black would rise up, become our leader and tell AA children that he has high expectations of them and "they" must fulfill "their" responsibility to succeed. More importantly, they will which goes against their plan e.g. for us not to succeed. Black youth view the POTUS as a role model and will follow his directives...stay in school, listen to your teachers, fulfill your dreams, etc., etc., etc. This goes against their plan of failure. So, fear sets in resulting in their gutter tactics. This movement on their part is couched in racism first, partisanism, fear, greed, and hatred. Essentially,these crack pots have not gotten over the election, their perceived power,and the economy. Their small world has been turned up-side down and in-side out. It must be a miserable life to live as they do. Even prayer will not help these people because it is party first and never country. Fear and angst are terrible ways to live one's life.
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By: Kaela on 9/10/2009 6:09PM
Some of the children of the parents that protested, probably couldn't tell you the vice president's name. Our country is showing ignorance at it's highest level since slavery and Jim Crow days. Lord, what next!
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By: Dorothy Williams on 9/11/2009 8:58PM
I totally agree with you. I do believe there is dignity in all areas of work but one man, a carpet layer, refused to allow his daughter to listen to the speech. Maybe if someone had spoken to him earlier in his life he wouldn't have to be doing that back breaking work. From his reactions, I guess his daughter will end up doing the same type of menial work since she is not being encouraged to use her brain. Ignorance is rampant.
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By: ann blount on 9/11/2009 4:08AM
Come on America, face it. There is still this problem with RACE in every sector of our society. Motivating the children of our nation toward success is suppose to be a good thing, why are there those that are afraid? Perhaps because of who these words were coming from. How sad!
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By: Real Talk on 9/11/2009 10:30AM
That speech could have saved a young person's life and future, because many do not get words of wisdom and encouragement like that at home. Fear, jealousy, and prejudice of President Obama have been brought to light out of many parents and teachers. Their ignorance and hypocrisy will come back to haunt them when their student/child gets out into the real world.
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By: India on 9/13/2009 7:47AM
Why include the teachers in this? It was left up to the school system which is run by the school board whom we elect. It all goes back to knowing who you vote for and what they really stand for. We must watch our vote!!
Secondly, I must agree with a comment previously stated. You have to look at the deeper meaning. THEY don't OUR children uplifted "'cause when we all get together, what a time, what a time, what a time!!"
Signed,
A teacher who showed the film in my MATH class!!!
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By: Just Saying... on 9/13/2009 10:36AM
Oprah, or any other Black person for that matter, should be surprised at the hypercritical right-wingers in this country. The mere presence of a man of color as President, shatters all previous ideology on white entitlement. And, in short, they are tore out of the frame.
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By: Toni Williams on 9/13/2009 5:11PM
How can Oprah,after living in this racist country for over fifty years, be surprised at what whites do or say.They hate the fact that we have a BLACK PRESIDENT!!!They will all reap what they sow!!!!!!!
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