Several conservatives made a colossal-sized fuss after Oprah Winfrey talked about white privilege on her Apple TV+ series “The Oprah Conversation.”
They called Winfrey a hypocrite, while bringing up that her net worth is $2.6 billion, according to Forbes. There were also claims that the media mogul made a lot of money by having a large white audience during her years as host of “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”
In a two-part episode that began streaming on Thursday, July 30, Winfrey talked about racism and white privilege with former NFL linebacker Emmanuel Acho. Acho hosts his own web series called “Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man” and is a known activist.
Joining the conversation on Winfrey’s show were white and Latinx guests, with one guest expressing it was wrong to say that all white people in the U.S. have equal power.
“Not all white people have power,” said the guest. “There’s plenty of poor, working-class white people. But I think that when we group all of white people together and we don’t recognize the fact that there’s a lot of white people that struggle, and it’s a different struggle as you mentioned, because they’re not streaming upstream let’s call it.”
The guest followed that up by saying, “I think that if we’re gonna come together and really attack racism and the inequities that are in this country and are in this world that it’s important not to group all white people.”
Winfrey agreed that it would be wrong to believe that all white people share the same level of power as the whites who govern the system, but said their skin color still gives them a big “leg up” in society.
“There are white people who are not as powerful as the system of white people, the caste system that’s been put in place,” Winfrey explained. “But they still, no matter where they are on the rung or ladder of success, they still have their whiteness … You still have your whiteness. That’s what the term ‘white privilege’ is. It means that whiteness still gives you an advantage, no matter.”
One of the people who reacted to Winfrey’s comments was conservative columnist Todd Starnes. “I pray for the day that America becomes a nation where someone like Oprah will be able to become a billionaire,” Starnes tweeted sarcastically on Tuesday, Aug. 4.
Gun rights activist JT Lewis also took Winfrey to task on Tuesday and brought up her reported net worth. “How did Oprah make 2.6 billion dollars if America is so racist?” he asked.
Others, like Sen. Ted Cruz, weighed in and wrote, “utter, racist BS.”
But it wasn’t only white conservatives who blasted Winfrey. Wayne Depree, a Black conservative radio host, also had a problem with her comments.
“Billionaire Oprah is now shaming white people for all their ‘easy success’ in life,” he tweeted.
There was another reaction from Republican primary candidate Irene Armendariz-Jackson who wrote on Twitter on Aug. 4, “And now why is Oprah, maybe the richest Black woman in the world, trying to shame white people as privileged? Miss Winfrey, you are the personification of WHITE PRIVILEGE!”
It seems that Winfrey’s critics believe that she was underestimating the number of poor white people in the U.S., something that Acho addressed with a guest during the discussion.
“As a Black person, white people for the proverbial phrase of white people, they run America,” he stated. “CEOs, Fortune 500 companies, execs, ownership, they run America. Not an individual White person, but collective White people. Are there some poor White people in America? Absolutely. How did that happen? I don’t know. I honestly don’t know. Because as a Black person, I understand how we got poor. I totally get that.”
Our absence of God makes us poor…if one believes that white people can’t determine your life or my life whether we go up or down you’ve got it wrong no one can predict a persons life only you can, no one has the power over your success or my success than I do or you do, we must understand that we are our own writers.
I’m so appalled by her comments of white privilege. Do white people get minority grants for college? Do white people have a group that fights for them like the NAACP does for black people, etc.? Whit privilege and black oppression are only in the minds of racist people in my opinion. Privilege or oppression is only in the individuals giving you privilege or making you feel oppressed. How is it that she can group everyone into these types of individuals. It takes Hard work and wanting to be better, to do better, and have better and that my friends falls on each individual person. Oprah, I use to have much admiration and respect for you but after your comments I now have nothing left for you but pity.
What she said is true. Now I’m not OW fan but yes white folks are privilege. It don’t matter if they dirty ass poor they are white. Now she done shit to get to where she at. NAACP don’t do shit for the black community. All this cops killing black people out so call black leaders not shit. Hell we had a black president and he did not do anything with all the cop killing or anything for the black community.
Oprah needs to go home enjoy her billions & stop stirring the pot. There r enough problems without her adding to it. It sounds like she has Zeno Solutions just complaints & poor us.
White people have never needed anyone to stand up for them, because they always were favored over any other race in the US. If white people are upset with her, she’s doing something right.
I’m so sick and tired of seeing this disgusting overfed talking manatee and her irrelevant horschitt.
Do a Survey and see what Race she Promoted to have their own TV shows and Sell their Books.I Wrote her off years ago about Helping Blacks, ohYeah U can put Obama in the Bag with her
Lacy,
Do white people get minority grants for college? YES
Whites gets grants just like other do. At this point your more stereotyping, rather than acknowledging the point.
Do white people have a group that fights for them like the NAACP does for black people, etc.? Not fair.
The NAACP wasn’t even started with this generation, it was based on solely for the rights be handed down, so that white privileged understood, all should be created equal. Once this becomes about your personal views, and not have a clue about truth – this makes you the problem.
Whit privilege and black oppression are only in the minds of racist people in my opinion.
Correct, but it’s also what’s keeping America at a stand still for the truth about white privileged. We know it exist, oppression isn’t just a mind thing, it’s a deck of cards with no real winners at the end of the day.
Privilege or oppression is only in the individuals giving you privilege or making you feel oppressed.
This isn’t true.
If people are treated wrong because they know an individual situation, and treat them less than human, but the person needs and accepts it based on the job, a need it’s now become oppression.
I think being black has a creation of its own kind, with so many having a platform to speak about these types of issues. Once you take what you hear and project it towards inner feelings, you can sometimes miss the real point being identified.
The real process of GOD is not to make this as we believe Adam & Eve sinned. I say this because the writers of the Bible states we have all sinned based on the actions of another. I say this because people are bad regardless of how we see it. The point of white privileged is not talked about enough, but it’s imperative that black people killing one another is an everyday topic.
Let’s set the record about this issue. At all time white, black and brown people are racist, and one side will feel privileged more than the other. It’s actually called – Money. This separate society, and it always will. Some of you all have never stepped foot in either shoes, so why be mad at OW or anyone for that matter.
Im not an Oprah fan. But she was persistent in becoming a reporter and since white people loved her show, she was accepted and they paid her graciously 4 it. Which one of yall would have turned that check down, THOSE CHECKS down, coming from where she came from. And had not a white person approved that check she wouldnt have it. Yall stop playing like that lady didnt have it bad. And for someone to say white privilege ISN’T a thing, u r delusional, u skipped history class, or your tv is broken. Walmart has a good sale on them right now. Besides that, I dont know of not a single 14 y/o white child that has been executed by electric chair or anything else for that matter. White privilege or did that 14y/o write that story for his life?
You asked if white people get minority grants for college and mentioned the NAACP. My question to you is: Have you question WHY those programs/organization were even needed in the first place? What system was in place to even make those programs a necessity? When you answer that qjestion, you will find the concept of White Privilege. White Privilege isn’t financial, it can be, but the entire concept isn’t based on finances. There are many finacially wealthy Blacks who can only go so far. For example, Oprah had to create her own magazine and TV network. I’m sure if she wanted to purchase, a network she would’ve ran into several roadblocks, compared to the likes of the purchasers of ABC from Disney.
Bravo to Oprah for finally speaking out, she said nothing wrong. This country was created and designed for the advancement of white people over all others, especially blacks. Oprahs’ money is not relevant because that is the exception not the rule. Even though she has money, she has no power to effect an election, to seat judges with her point of view or determine where any white person lives, goes to school, works, how much they make or how law enforcement interacts with them. So to all you white folks and to the sambos in the bunch, know what systemic racism is and identify the privilege that accompanies it. Once you have done that STFU!
You are as IGNORANT as the lady doing this so called SHOW. I went to school in the 70’s, where I went, it was 95% blacks. And only the black kids got scholarships from the NAACP , which is a RACIST group. Imagine if we had a NAAWP, lord almighty, or if we had the WET , you would be the FIRST person in the picket line . People are PEOPLE , it don’t matter what damn color you are in 2020, now go whine & cry about the old white man that hurt your black pride .
I feel as a black man that Oprah Winfrey has the right to her opinion and should not be bashed for anything because she worked hard to get to where she is today so if you have something negative to say about Oprah Winfrey you need to keep your comments to yourself because Oprah Winfrey have helped a lot of people well do you want to admit it or not so let us stop bashing Oprah for her opinion she have a right to her opinion because white people who have privileges white people are more privileged than blacks so let’s get it together and tell the truth if you want to be honest and stop being black trying to make white people out to be so great they are who they are and we are who we are how about taking that to the bank my thing is stop bashing Oprah Winfrey cuz she worked hard to get to where she’s at today thank you
I swear that there is some type of blockage in the perception or ingrained in white folks to deny that this system that was put in place by racist white people adversely and disproportionately affect black lives in America. Yes, Poor white people may get looked down upon and abandoned by more affluent whites. That’s the same system that has, not only utter disregard for black people, this system actually targets black people or intentionally work against the interests and basic human rights of black folks.
EVIL RACIST IS WHO U R, OPRAH
The two of them can literally pull 80% of impoverished communities out of poverty and still have tons of money left over to live their lavish life style. If you’re unwilling to help you own community, but can blame us crackers for all the issues, you’re a shit human. Stop the excuses. Poverty keeps the divide going which fills the narrative.
People that have a problem with Oprah comments must read, White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo. Some of the behavior where reflects that fragility!! Oprah can be a trillionaire, but she is still a black woman in a country that has a history of origin in black exploitation and currently systemic racism! Where would she be but for her color in America??? A much richer woman!
What people fail to see is how hard she had to work to get what she has and the racism she faced to get it. Being black is a double edged sword. You are damned if you become successful and damned if you remain impoverished. Racism will never go away until all humans are deceased unfortunately.
All she said is true. Even though she has billions, she is till called a ni****r by some whites. The money does not change how she is looked at. What she says is absolutely correct.
Oprah is just fanning flames that don’t go out. White privilege sure as hell wasn’t and still isn’t in my house.
I’ve been denied a job with the USPS because of needing minorities Even though I scored a 95% and the Latin American man got a 70%. And when I was “let go” from a NAFTA funded college program to retrain. Once again was literally told I was not ethnic enough to keep my funding even though I held a 4.0 and was replaced by a black man, who I knew and helped, that only held a 2.0. Now I’m disabled and he never did finish one of his three degrees he started and failed. Fuck your white privilege Oprah!!! I was born with shit and still have it as I wasn’t born into privilege. You seem to be doing pretty well, how about handing out to your black brethren. Won’t happen because you’re here to stir the pot, not fix a problem
will somebody please show a time line to show how the black americans
will some body please post a timeline to show how black americans have beat down stereotypes and climd the ladder of success in all field’s of life. i swear if some one was asleep for 40 years and just woke up they would think it was 1960.the black friends i had growing up wouldnt let me even have a racist thought
they would nip it in the bud. when did all these black americans millionaires . become such crybabys? when all these white racist white people elected .Obama he could of done great things. all he done was ruin all of us.
I agree with Opera.But what’s her agenda Why are you speaking now. Because you have lived the white privileged life for so many years. You have had a platform for Decades to speak on African Americans.struggles and rights I’m just curious 🤔. JUST MY OPINION
Oprah Winfrey is a racist bitch has been for years ever since she came out and said she built her school in South Africa so that she would not have to appease white people that’s a racist comment and everyone let it slide she forgets she’s where she’s at today because of hundreds of millions of white people who supported her it was forwarded her the luxuries that she has now she’s not oppressed far from it
If Oprah feels or felt like this why hasn’t she given back to her so called people? She can never in her life time spend all that much money. Give back till you are a millionaire, at least. Stop the white people from aborting your people. They are the highest amount of unborn killed by Planned Parenthood a creation of the racist Margaret Sanger, believer of eugenics. Why continue with this African American bs – you are an American as much as anyone else born and raised here Quit with this nation spitting it only leads to hate and Alienating of our country.
We have had almost 60 years of integration in our school system and what do we have.Lowered grading levels assisted school support.what about work,we have minority preference in job opportunities.I have been taught that to be respected or give it it has to be earned.What has Opra done for any minorities in the USA,
Oprah Winfrey earned her money fare and square. Nobody quotes the TV fortunes made by MANY others each time they speak their minds. This kind of rampant disrespectful invective is mean and shows how many are are still jealous of her 25+ years of success. Now that she has time and the platform to speak her mind, and does so, she is attacked for being a rich global Black woman who has now built ANOTHER fortune by enabling even more just like herself on her OWN Network! Stop the hater-aid and make a fortune of your own using the privilege you have but are afraid to get up and admit that you can.
Blame the whitey! Tired of hearing that type of racist “I’m a victim” commentary and its not helping. Racism cuts both ways and sometimes many ways and it is almost certainly by the most weak people of all color. Step up, study hard, work hard, respect others, obey the laws and cops, and MAGICALLY things go well for you! Get your busy doin’ the right thing and give negative comments a deaf ear. Being destructive is not constructive, so don’t expect good results if you are destructive in your actions or words.
What a flake. And a hypocrite. Let’s distract everyone from her ties to Epstein and the pedophilia running rampant thru Hollywood and the music industry by stroking the flames of hate and racism. Praying for you Harpo
Listen. White privilege regardless of their economic status tells rich black people you can’t buy from this store or live in certain places in Georgia although the rich black person can buy them and everything they have.
White Privilege owned slaves, white Privilege picked certain slaves they trusted to work in the house. Those house slaves dressed better, ate better lived better than the field slaves. They were also forbidden to speak on behalf , feed or assist their fellow field slaves.
This same white privilege picked Oprah Winfrey to work in the house.
This same white privilege forbids her to even speak a truth she has lived and sees every day.
As harmless and innocent as what Oprah Winfrey said, let’s compare her words to Nick Cannon, DeSean Jackson and the rapper called Wiley. What do they all have in common? White Privilege says shut your mouth Never speak any truth you may see or live because we allow you to work in the house.
Amos 5:10 They hate him that rebuketh in the gate, and they abhor him that speaketh uprightly.
The racist privileged attitude of die hard conservatives is so inbred that they will NEVER concede. They don’t understand and are brainwashed into believing that they don’t have to understand, because they have NEVER been required to. You can’t erase hundreds of years of induced stupidity in a day
I’m saddens that anyone would bash Ms. Winfrey for busting her butt, overcoming a painful and poor past, and yes, growing up black in a white American. I am white. I didn’t choose white. I was born white. I was 13 years old when I visited New Orleans and was literally brought to tears seeing white beaches, white only restaurants, cabs refusing blacks a ride. I’m 60 year’s old, not 100. This was in my lifetime. I grew up in SD where at that time, I had never heard of such things other than in history books. Which now are missing great amounts of this truth. I don’t feel white privileged, but I am not black. I cannot judge what other’s might see or feel. I do know that we need to quit debating about white privilege and black supression and own that this country has as issue.
Slandering other’s, trying to guilt others, instilling fear in anyone… Not okay. This is not okay.
Change is painful. But change is what this country needs.
Good for you Ms. Winfry for fighting for a better life. For trying to change a world for the better. Don’t you dare ever doubt that you earned every penny you have. And don’t you lose any sleep over people nitpicking about where your money goes. We ALL get to choose what our money goes to. Be it bills, donation’s, or savings. You earned it you do what you are called to do with it.
These movements tends to be fads. People are not color coded like these social media kings and queens would like the population to believe, and when the ‘ALL Poor People Against ALL Rich People’s Privilege’ fad rolls around, the Marxists of any color will not be loving the age of socialism they asked for.
So, let me understand why these conservatives including the slave who told the master when other slaves were planning to run away DuPree.
We have one Black woman out of 21.7 million women in America and you call that success PLEASE. What she said is TRUE. White Privilege at its best is live and well.
The problem is that the definition of the term “privilege” is misunderstood in the phrase “White privilege”. That’s the problem with phrases like “Global warming”, “Defund police” and “White privilege”. The words “warming”, “defund”, and “privilege” in these instances are being defined incorrectly by people who do not read the academic journal articles to understand the definitions of these words correctly. Then the press comes at you either by design or assumptions, and leaves out the academic definitions of these terms. So this leaves people to interpret the words based on their individual understanding of the definition of these words, leading them to misinterpret what’s being said.
“Defund” doesn’t mean take all police money away from police. It means redirect some money to other services in the community to allow police to do their actual jobs, and use some of the money for retraining amd sensitivity programs. And “warming” doesn’t mean “earth temperature” is going up. It means the temperature of the oceans is warming up, which in turn cause erratic weather patterns and increases the likelihood of higher category storms leading to natural disaster and increased destruction.
In this case White privilege doesn’t mean “privilege” as in money, status, or social standing. It means not being immediately judged as being dangerous, or treated as a criminal because of your skin color. Being white means you are less likely to die if you are being arrested, going through security checkpoints at the airport, or being pulled over because you’re driving a Mercedes while your speeding down the highway on your way to work and the cop thinks you stole the vehicle.
Lacy,
Do white people get minority grants for college? Yes. Yes they do and they can get them at historically black colleges and universities too.. Do white people have a group that fights for them like the NAACP does for black people, etc.? Yes. Yes they do, it’s called local, state and federal government.. White privilege and black oppression are only not in the minds of racist people in my opinion. Privilege is not having to deal with systemic oppression because of the color of your skin. That is what gives you white privilege. She is not talking about every individual so called white person. She is speaking about so called white people as a group. It takes Hard work and wanting to be better, to do better, and have better and overcoming racism/white supremacy for black people to succeed in this country. That last thing, you don’t have to worry about. And that is white privilege. Because you choose not to listen to what Oprah actually said and after your comments I now have nothing left for you but pity.