Hi Readers,
I have to admit that I am still reeling from Rae Dawn Chong’s verbal attacks on Oprah Winfrey this week.
It was very disconcerting to hear Chong call Oprah a House Nigger.
Wow!!!!!!!
I smirked when I first read the headlines.
Chong-a woman of mixed ancestry……
In light of recent (biracial) Black Americans opting to subordinate their Black ancestry, I thought Chong would have adopted a softer stance on the race issue.
However, after reading a synopsis of the interview, I realized that Rae’s verbal disrespect wasn’t really about race but more about jealousy and envy!!!!!!
Chong on Oprah’s Looks…..
As you know by now Oprah is no stranger to criticism concerning her looks.
Her battle of the bulge has become legendary in the annals of tabloid history.
Rae states that due to her looks, Oprah “would have been a house keeper 60 years ago.”
There is a common wisdom in some quarters that Oprah’s fame is attributed to her looks.
I remember a former professor of mine once observing that Oprah’s warm reception by white America was due to the mammy image that she conveyed.
For those of you who are unaware, the mammy is a figure of the Black women concocted by whites pining for the “good old days” right at the era of the emancipation of Black slaves in the South.
She was often very dark, and very obese.
She often looked down her nose at her fellow Blacks.
She often considered her white employees her family and spent many years sacrificing the needs of her own family (if she had one) for the needs of the white household she worked in.
I winced at his observation because I was one of a few African Americans in the class.
His words struck a chord/nerve…..why?
If I am being honest, there is some truth to his words.
I remember in the early years of her show, she used to cry with her guests and they would cry on her shoulders.
Ouch!!!!!!
Readers forgive me…….
But sometimes I couldn’t help but notice that some of her teary eyed guests would be very dainty and white.
Next to them, overweight Oprah would seem bearish.
Her bigness and her Blackness were magnified.
Rae charges that Oprah brown-nosed her way to the top.
That may be…..
However, in my heart of hearts I concede that Oprah’s meteoric rise to superstardom was and is a combination of unique talent and hard work.
Rae also charges that in her work with Oprah, she came across as the fat chick that became the teacher’s pet and wanted everyone to love her.
Uhm Uhm Uhm…….
I guess I can visualize that.
Be that as it may, I want to make one thing clear….
Oprah is NOT A SELLOUT!!!!!!!
She is definitely a race woman.
I have read articles and seen shows where she has given honor and much deserved respect to our Black icons and legends
Diana Ross….
Aretha Franklin….
Tina Turner….
Chong also went on to acknowledge that Oprah has almost singlehandedly changed the game for women of color and big women in the media.
Definitely a thin line between love and hate!!!!!
What about Oprah’s critical reception among Black women?
For me the jury is half in on that one.
I have heard on numerous occasions my sisters bashing O.
Not just my everyday sisters, but our celebrity sisters as well.
Toni Braxton on a VH1 special took Oprah to task for berating her on live television because of her tax woes.
Legendary Gladys Knight states in her autobiography that Oprah was cool and reserved towards her.
It seems that Oprah just can’t win.
I hope in her golden years that Oprah has learned or is mastering the wisdom that she can’t be all things to all people.
That the only one that she can please all of the time is herself.
On a personal note, Oprah’s success has inspired me to believe that the impossible can become possible.
Much Love O!!!!!
Until next time…….
finley
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mirondarashima
Jul 24, 2013 @ 22:25:48
Wow! I am really speechless behind this. I had to click and read for myself what Rae Dawn said to try and understand in what context she made these statements. I hate to say it, but I think she must have gotten into her father’s stash and smoked a few. I mean, really?! Now, I have to admit that I have had mixed feelings over the years about Oprah and her connection to our community. But I’ve come to realize that Oprah is in a class of her own. Literally and figuratively. By whatever subliminal reasons many may think she has achieved success as a result of, there is NO doubt that hard work, determination and above average intelligence has played a MAJOR role! With that being said, who is qualified to criticize? I mean, I do take issue with our celebrities and the exorbitant amount of wealth we have but are exacting no real change in our communities. BUT! That is another issue with various dynamics, and not to be blamed on any one ‘Oprah’. Shame on Rae Dawn. In the words of Nancy Reagan, Just say NO! Don’t inhale next time.
bernasvibe
Jul 23, 2013 @ 18:28:20
I hate the N word! Don’t care who it is who uses it..Hate it . Although I hate it even more when folks who aren’t Black; use it. Black or not I think Rae Dawn knew her comment would raise eyebrows..I also think that is exactly why she said it. Black or not , which I call anyone of a mixed gene pool(truth be told at this point we ALL fall into that category) she had to know folks would take issue due to her mixedNESS. I think it was a cheap publicity stunt! Also think she’s barking UP the wrong tree..Her career is in the toilet(what HAS she done in the past 10 yrs or so? And what did she ever do that put her on the map???? Other than Color Purple which Oprah was a major STAR in) Sounds like sour grapes and envy if you ask me..IF she were smart she’d do better to get on Oprah’s good side..Might just get a JOB! As for Oprah..I applaud her any given chance I’ve got. Dig her BIG time..She came from nothing..She came from a sordid childhood of traumatic molestation. And yet? She did NOT let any of that(or her SIZE) stop her from chasing her dreams..In Hollywood she is the EXACT opposite of what is felt to be the image of Black Beauty..Which means she has rode on talent. I, for one, respect that. What I don’t respect is folks who take a cheap! shot and with NO basis for it. So what??? If Oprah wants to be an uncle Tom type of person..that IS her business. She doesn’t bad mouth or drag other Blacks down..She is FAR too busy doing her own thing. And doing it well! Rae should be taking mental and physical notes instead of whining & bitching..I’ve never ever forgot her little whiny self in Color Purple..I see her real life personality wasn’t too far from her role…UGH. Beauty without brains is very UGLY and a total waste as far as I’m concerned..
Jolene Simon
Jul 24, 2013 @ 12:58:05
I agree with your sentiments 100%. Like I stated in the post, It wa svery disconcerting to hear Chong put down Oprah and use the N word. While I concede that Chong is a Black woman in spite of he rmixed heritage, she have to confess that part of her mild success is due to this fact. Like you said, Oprah was the opposite of Hollywood and made it from her brains and talent. I am glad that there are sisters out there like you who ar eholding Oprah up.
Good response as always….