Anyways, this guy talked at me for about 20 minutes non-stop (literally) and in that time I learned his entire life story and heard all of his conspiracy theories. He told me he had been born without a mouth, which seemed like a plausible story given the look of him. He had gone through a lot of reconstructive surgeries but didn't have the funds for the next one. He told me he had written to everyone seeking help. EVERYONE had turned him down, including Oprah! He just couldn't believe that Oprah wouldn't pay for his surgery.
This got me to thinking about our desperate situation in this world today. It seems so many of us are looking for a miracle to save us from disparity and the three most sought after solutions are the lottery, the casino and Oprah. People in this country turn to Oprah like she's Santa Claus or Jesus. Granted, she kind of brings it on herself by giving people stuff on her show, but still... I wonder what it must be like for her to have those kinds of requests, demands and criticisms made of her on a constant basis.
I mean, I'll admit it, there have been a couple of times when, after my mom has suggested (as only a mom could), "You should write to Oprah for help" I have for a split second considered it. I mean, sure, I'm poor struggling artist down on my luck. But then, why is it Oprah's responsibility to save me, or anyone else for that matter? It's completely absurd, not that I wouldn't accept a donation.
So today, in my boredom I thought for entertainment purposes I would compile a sampling of the open letters to Oprah posted on-line. There are actually quite a few on her official website but I didn't post those for fear that the mighty Oprah Claus might sue me.
Here are some excepts from just a few Open Letters to Oprah:
"If you want to change education, Oprah, don’t make the mistake everyone else has. Ask teachers. Would you have a conversation about the national state of medicine and health care without asking for the input of doctors, nurses and patients? And yet we have left parents, teachers and students completely out of this critical talk."
Kuanon
"Oprah,
I would like to call your attention to something that I feel very passionately about: breastfeeding. I believe we need greater awareness and support provided for moms and babies, and more education for the general public, so that the practice becomes accepted and less stigmatized. "
Lara Audelo
MamaPear Designs
"After watching your two-part town hall meeting: "After Imus: Now What?" I'm compelled to reach out to you....................
..............Just as Jesus was not accepted in his own town of Nazareth, jazz is shunned by most Americans not exposed to its true glories, yet many in Europe, Japan, and other places in the world recognize it as a fine art representing the best of America and black American culture.
By doing a show with the likes of those above, Ms. Winfrey, you'd continue to turn the tide, raise awareness of, as Abraham Lincoln once said, the "better angels of our nature," and bring even more exposure to the cultural excellence from which we as a people spring."
Greg Thomas
Host/Co-Producer
"Dear Oprah,
I have to confess, I have never watched more than a few minutes of your show. Probably not the best way to start a letter to you, but I want to be honest. And the truth is, I think you’re making a terrible mistake......................But I couldn’t leave the stadium wholly inspired by you, as I’m sure many others did. To me, it is clear that a significant number of people look up to you, and trust your advice and judgment. That is why it is such a huge mistake for you to endorse Jenny McCarthy with her own show on your network."
Shirley
"Hello Oprah,
I'm writing this open letter to you because I've run across thousands of women that love you. This is tough for me to write because you are doing so many awesome things for people all over the world.
I'm the director of a documentary called "America the Beautiful," which deals with our unhealthy obsession with beauty. I've interviewed 2000 women over a six-year period about how they feel about themselves and, as I'm sure you know, the results weren't pretty.
2009-04-04-oprahpic.jpg All of that being said, here goes. Oprah, I'm not exaggerating when I say this: everywhere I go, women's groups, teenage girls and the heads of eating disorder clinics ask me, "Why does Oprah have such a problem with her body?"
Of course, I can't answer the question, because I don't know you like that, but I can say it seems to be a problem for a lot of women. With your influence, you have a prime opportunity to be a role model for millions of women that don't "fit the ideal."
Darryl Roberts
Huffington Post
"Dear Oprah,
Your business empire has excited and empowered women for many years. We appreciate your humble beginnings and your never-say-die attitude in making your way to the top. Whether harnessing your television audience, your crazy good business sense, or wide-reaching network, your big ideas and passion for change are a big inspiration to me and my community.
My community, you ask? That’s the very purpose of this letter!
My community is the creative thinkers, makers, and designers of the indie craft & design movement. And Oprah, we’re ready for you. "
Tara Gentile
Scoutie Girl
"We would love the opportunity to share more about our lives of prayer, community and ministry on a future episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show. We would gladly speak with you, invite you to experience our daily service, or help broaden your viewers’ understanding of religious life in any way we can."
Catholic Sisters
"Dear Oprah:
It was with
surprise and disappointment that members of our community at
NaturallyCurly.com alerted us to your Great American Haircut Makeovers.
In case after case, beautiful waves, curls and kinks were beaten into
submission with blow dryers, flatirons and extensions. In one of the most
curious cases, a beautiful woman - who was wearing a gorgeous and
undoubtedly hard-won afro - was given stick-straight extensions."
NaturallyCurly.com
"Dear Oprah,
Ever since your shows on bioidentical hormones aired, my newsletter readers have showered me with emails requesting that I respond. Being a discriminating group, they realize that while your shows were wonderful and will help millions of women, there are a few points to be made that can help women use hormones with even greater wisdom and safety."
Virginia Hopkins
"Dear Oprah (or, if you prefer, Opraaaaaaaaah!),
I loved you in The Color Purple, but that’s not why I’m writing.
(A quick, early digression here to tell you how much I agonized over that first sentence. I’m sure you get more mail than your people can sort through, and when I combine that realization with the knowledge that the first line of any communication can be make or break it, well, the pressure was on to really knock your socks off. Wait. Do you even wear socks? Maybe that could be an episode of your show. “Today on a very special Oprah…Socks: Fashionable Foot-Warmers or a Menacing Threat to Shoes?” Anyway…)"
Danny Evans
Desperate Loser and Author of Rage Against The Meshugenah
"Open letter to Oprah Winfrey
By way of introduction, I am the President of Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) and we represent 80,000 member families nationwide. This letter is to call attention to your essay contest and the unfortunate fact that homeschoolers are not allowed to participate. "
J. Michael Smith
HSLDA President
"Dear Oprah,
Please just stop. Please. And I don’t mean that in a nasty way (though some of my commenters will). I mean please, stop doing this to yourself.
I know saying that is pointless, because I’ve been there, and I know it’s hardly a matter of just telling yourself to get over it and accept that this is what your body always does, what your body always will do if you keep dieting. But gosh, it would be so nice if you stopped. "
Kate Harding
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