I know many of us have very different viewpoints on Oprah's methodology, her intentions and her effectiveness. However, what struck me about today's show...and most of the shows in the past week or so...is that she's really trying to raise awareness of issues from which we might otherwise turn away. It is hard and ugly to watch shows about poverty and other plights plaguing our country, our world, but I believe knowledge is power. Whether it's about our bodies, our government, or the kids in our country, we need to know. I think in this crazy age, driven by consumerism and war and speed, it's so very easy to stay in our safe little bubbles and remain deaf, blind and dumb to the rest of the world.
I do believe strongly that everything is connected - the more we know and care for ourselves, the more we can be compassionate and helpful to others. And stronger and more self-aware our human society, the more we are able to care for our planet. In some ways, it feels overwhelming, but I also think healing begins simply, first with ourselves, and then it blossoms outward.
So, yes, yes, yes I have felt deep conflict over the manner in which Oprah's "serious" issue shows are balanced with ones promoting endless purchasing, and I have heard and respected the feedback you have all given about whether or not you feel Oprah is giving healthy direction to her audience. BUT - on the very basest level, I think at the very least, some of her shows promote clarity and a deeper drive for comprehension of ourselves and our culture.
I'm not so certain there is always a call to action, but at the very least, a light is shone into most dark corners. It's up to us to decide how to continue once we've seen the show.
Can you tell I'm feeling more level-headed? Do you think it's the Shiatsu? Y'all, I'm telling you, if you are the least bit stressed, do the Shiatsu exercise today. It takes just moments and it really worked for me. It's definitely on my list of top 5 items I've learned about while Living Oprah.
Yours in clarity and a lack of anxiety,
LO
Friday, August 15, 2008
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18 comments:
So, not at all in a snarky way, I'd be wildly interested the five things at the bottom of your LO list. Off to try the Shiatsu! Have a good weekend. Thanks for keeping up the fun work here.
A big issue that always bothers me is income/wealth disparity. The fact that billions or people live on less than $1 a day, while others are billionaires -- some many times over. I notice Oprah and other celebrities (Bono, Bill Gates) who address issues like world health and poverty never mention this point. I would like to ask Oprah, Bono, Bill Gates: "Do you ever think to yourself -- do I REALLY need billions or hundreds of millions of dollars just for myself? Does any one person? SHOULD any one person?" I am not advocating communism, but there must be a middle grond where the inequality is just not so staggeringly vast.
Beautiful post! It is odd when one day she highlights poverty and poor education and the next tells us not to wear sweats and to buy a new wardrobe, but taking big issues that most people would rather ignore and explaining how to handle them is important and like you said, "It's up to us to decide how to continue once we've seen the show."
Thanks for the shiatsu link - I just started doing them!
(I, too, would love to know your least favorite assignments!)
the last time i watched oprah was probably 13 years ago..i am one of those holier than thou not tv thanks types ;)
but congrats on your coverage in the nytimes and i hope you do get a book deal. i mean, its like living biblically...but instead of following god...you are following the most popular being in the usa.
Wonderful post. I watched this show (a rerun, it turns out) because as a child I grew up in a very poor area. It wasn't uncommon for people not to have indoor plumbing. It wasn't uncommon for people to live in literal shacks. Back then, there wasn't the coverage that it receives now; we didn't have an Oprah to point it out. However, I do remember my parents and several other people fighting to get even the basics (clean city water pumped to homes), and know it can be done. I'm actually glad she did this 'report', because now maybe some of these families will have a chance at a healthy life.
And I'll add my voice to the others: I'd love to find out the five things at the bottom of your list.
Only in America! Faux spiritually from a billionaire.
Oprah is forever investigating different modalities of spiritually, she seems to be the last adult alive to discover that only an examined life is worth living.
She was busy making billions while the rest of the adult population was lving and examining our lives.
I just posted my own Oprah poverty story on my blog. It's too long to post here, but I could identify with some of the people Oprah has highlighted on her show.
Robyn,
I had started a similar "Oprah Project" and reading about your adventure inspired me to restart my own journey.
Thanks for the inspiration!
best,
Jocelyn
I am finding it very stressful to be a woman among those of you who follow celebrities for direction in your lives. Oprah??? Give me a break. The trouble with women such as you is you can't seem to think for yourselves. I have many friends who are always on some weird path dictated by someone else who has found a way to get these followers (cool-aid drinkers, as I see them) to blindly listen and follow. It's scary and pathetic. Gee, and then we wonder why we can't elect a woman to be president. Think it through... there wouldn't be anyone to tell her what to do when things get tough. Instead of living the Oprah life (as if anyone ever could without her billions) why not try thinking on your own and following what is good for your own life? Instead of worrying so much about outward appearance (as an example) why not worry more about developing your mind. Instead of wondering what Oprah would do or what Lindsey Lohan and Britney are up to, read a book, take a class, read a newspaper or do something to develop your intelligence. These people are creations of their "handlers" - in many ways they are not the beings that they appear to be. Do you really think that Oprah comes up with all this stuff??? Endeavor to become THE ONE that all of those other followers will seek to follow. We get too mesmerized by celebrity. Remember, they are just people. There is nothing they know or can do that we aren't capable of doing without them. WAKE UP. Be strong. Be smart. Take charge of your own life. Believe me, Oprah isn't waiting to see what path YOU take. She's sitting back shaking her head just like I am, stunned that so many of you are so weak.
"I was really excited to fulfill some of the rules. I felt kind of proud of myself. It takes a huge amount of pressure off to be handed a spiritual path.”
“I’m kind of embarrassed to admit, but I can understand why people want it to be that way,” she added."
This was VERY insightful. I should think that just that kind of insight is worth the whole trip.
Thanks
@Kathy: If you knew anything about what was going on here, you'd know that LO is doing this as a social experiment to see if Oprah's advice really helps people "live their best lives" or not. LO and the people who read this blog aren't Oprah worshippers. They are simply interested in finding out why Oprah has such a huge following, whether or not her advice is actually beneficial, and whether or not it is even possible for a normal person to "live their best life" as Oprah extols it. So, in actuality, this blog is about critical thinking and about asking questions, about developing intelligence and about exposing the weaknesses (and the strengths) that come when you look to a celebrity as a role model.
Kathy - You might want to go back and read a little more about LO's project. She is following Oprah's word as an experiment for a year, to explore many of the points you made in your comment.
http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/features/faithandethics/story.html?id=8245b518-e915-4c40-bdd3-f9473c3b52e8
you even made it into our neck of woods, an article in our local paper. i looked at the article and thought, hmmm, better sent that to living oprah. epis, there you go, a mention in the article.
I understand the point of the experiment. I am commenting on how foolish and weak it is for so many people to blindly follow celebrities and have such voracious appetites for what celebrities do. Our country needs to re-focus and make family and education a priority. Now there's an experiment with some teeth in it.
@Kathy
I still think you might be missing the point a little bit. Oprah holds herself as practically the model of perfection, doling out advice on how people "need" to conduct their lives. LO is simply following her advice for a year to see what actually comes of it. It's more of a social commentary, I would think, than blindly following a celebrity because they look cool. Paris Hilton doesn't walk around telling people they HAVE to have a certain pair of sunglasses or they NEED to follow her diet. Paris Hilton would be a sorry person to follow the footsteps of. But Oprah DOES do this and perhaps someone should be there to analyze what she's actually saying? Especially since so many people take her word as gospel and DO follow her like sheep.
What I find interesting about this blog is that LO seems absolutely able to "think for herself" and doesn't "follow blindly". She is following the direction of Oprah as an experiment, but with much thinking and definitely not blindly. THAT'S why it's so interesting! It's her attitude that Oprah ISN'T perfect that makes it interesting. She isn't gushing about how everything that Oprah does is perfect, she's analyzing the advice and providing an interesting viewpoint into a person that many put on a pedestal and revere in that kool-aid kind of way you speak of.
Just my two cents.
o - i think i'll rate the assignments - i'm not so sure what my bottom 5 are. although, buying the firepit from Lowes is certainly on the list!!
anon, i sometimes feel just as you do - it's as if they believe money gives them a certain amount of worldly knowledge that we, civilians, don't comprehend.
kate, thank ye kindly ma'am. did you like the shiatsu?
devadeva mirel. i admire you holier than thou types. i was once like you and then i became weak.
mya barrett. wow. thank you so much for sharing your very personal connection to the story. i'm glad that you felt it was a positive way to represent poverty in america.
dewi. wait - are you saying money ISN'T an indication of fulfillment? wha-?!
laurajeanette - i'll check out your blog...
jocelyn. good luck to you!
kathy. keep reading the blog if you get a chance. i think you'll find your first impression isn't actually what is going on here.
gerald. thanks for writing. please come back to add your thoughts to the project.
laurajeanette (again) and julie. my mom loves you both. she said it made her feel better that someone "had my back" - she actually used that phrase. i'm not making it up. xo
margie! thanks a ton for letting me know. this is great!
kate. wanna be my publicist? :)
xoLO
@LO - Ha! Sure!
Funny thing is I haven't watched Oprah in about 10 years, but I have a renewed interest knowing that you'll be writing about it later. =) I think I have the same take on her as you do and love the idea of someone actually DOING what she says we should be doing. I'd love to get a peek inside her brain and see if she practices what she preaches.
Oh, and yes, I do really like the Shiatsu!
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