I'm confused, so Oprah Winfrey is providing individuals with coupons for FREE chicken (Grilled not Fried) at KFC. WTF!!! Is this NOT a form of economic and social stratification???
Oprah should be applauded for how she has used her image and show as a platform for charitable work (ie. gifts, donations, scholarships, cars, homes, etc.). Proponents have defended the validity of the show for this reason despite her unwilling conscience to use the show as a platform to address the economic, social, and political plight of African-Americans NOR consistently provide outreach for at-risk members of the African-American community. Yes, she has done things to help the black community (cherry picking the good negros), so i am NOT saying she has not. But many of her actions were reactive rather than proactive. In fact, many were surprised when she openly endorsed President Barack Obama (but if she hadn't, criticism would have grown especially after she dropped the ball in the 2004 presidential election between Bush v. Kerry).
With that said, this latest stunt is cause for outrage. Oprah knows (in the Black Folks Handbook) that Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is an establishment mainly patronized by African-American consumers, and that, coupled with the words FREE would lead to a volatile situation (42nd St. in NY). And I KNOW she had the foresight to KNOW this. She is in fact from the South where "Black folks" and "KFC" are synonymous with each other.
"I was really deeply moved, first of all, by all the people who sent thank you's for the chicken," Winfrey said. "You know, I actually got more thank you's for the chickens than we did for the cars, which is so amazing."
I pose a few questions: Why is Oprah giving folks "free grilled" chicken? Doesn't the word "free" elicit a certain demographic (race, social, and economic)? Is this helping the black community? Are opponents of this action looking at it too in-depth?
Oprah should be applauded for how she has used her image and show as a platform for charitable work (ie. gifts, donations, scholarships, cars, homes, etc.). Proponents have defended the validity of the show for this reason despite her unwilling conscience to use the show as a platform to address the economic, social, and political plight of African-Americans NOR consistently provide outreach for at-risk members of the African-American community. Yes, she has done things to help the black community (cherry picking the good negros), so i am NOT saying she has not. But many of her actions were reactive rather than proactive. In fact, many were surprised when she openly endorsed President Barack Obama (but if she hadn't, criticism would have grown especially after she dropped the ball in the 2004 presidential election between Bush v. Kerry).
With that said, this latest stunt is cause for outrage. Oprah knows (in the Black Folks Handbook) that Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is an establishment mainly patronized by African-American consumers, and that, coupled with the words FREE would lead to a volatile situation (42nd St. in NY). And I KNOW she had the foresight to KNOW this. She is in fact from the South where "Black folks" and "KFC" are synonymous with each other.
"I was really deeply moved, first of all, by all the people who sent thank you's for the chicken," Winfrey said. "You know, I actually got more thank you's for the chickens than we did for the cars, which is so amazing."
I pose a few questions: Why is Oprah giving folks "free grilled" chicken? Doesn't the word "free" elicit a certain demographic (race, social, and economic)? Is this helping the black community? Are opponents of this action looking at it too in-depth?
http://www.oprah.com/article/oprahshow/20090430-tows-kfc-coupon-download
4 comments:
Dr. Hoston,
I agree that Oprah might not have used the appropriate means to do whatever she had in mind, but before you start passing judgement about her intent based on the results, maybe you could take some time considering other possibilities with the following considerations:
1. The Oprah show has never appealed to the poor, nor to specifically African Americans (maybe some middle class to upper class AAs).
2. It is an assumption to think that "free" is directed to poor people. From what I know, the biggest recipients of free are middle and upper class folks. Which is th world of which Oprah lives and breaths.
3. In order to get these tickets, you had to go to her website and download the coupon or be in her audience.
3. You also assumed that you know what she knows. I don't believe so. There may be a collective source of information, but that doesn't mean that she has accessed, internalized and agreed with your "black folk handbook" of the south. That would assume that all black folks of the south are homogenous--not so.
4. Consciousness is a degreed term. There are various levels.
5. Lastly, what is the community's responsibility in this? Just because it is free, doesn't mean you have to take it (although, I undestand that if you are hungry, you will eat). If your assessment is the correct one, wouldn't that also mean the black folks could not see that they were being bamboozled?
I don't know what the intent was, but again, the results were devistating and showed how even the best of intentions (with or without critical thought) can have unintended consequences. Your assessment only reflects one side, but I am interested in other assessments that you could give voice to that will make this case not one of only frustration and outrage, but of a learning opportunity.
Ok, I'm going to need you to back up off of Oprah. Come on, doc. Blacks=chicken? How sterotypical is that? The fact is, she gave away GRILLED chicken, a healthier option than the fried method black folks are so type-casted as loving. I took it as a way to get the nation to try something new and healthy. And when I went to get mine, EVERY type of person was there. So show more of that AQUARIAN LOVE (Oprah Jan. 29. Did you get yours?!)
I am showing Aquarian love :-(
;-)
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