An Open Letter to Oprah

About four years ago, I began to share with family members and friends my instinct that you were beginning to position yourself politically. I felt that you had an eye on a run for the presidency; I had no idea how right and wrong I was.

Your endorsement as well as impassioned speeches in support of Barack Obama are, to use a familiar phrase, wrong on so many levels it's difficult to know where to begin. The best case scenario is that you genuinely feel that Obama is the best candidate, perhaps understandably and forgivably swept up in the notion of a charismatic Black American president, perhaps understandably and forgivably swept up in your own sense of prowess and misguided belief that you yourself are qualified to shape social and political policy at the national level. A more cynical observer might offer a worse case scenario: that you have fallen victim to the curse of absolute power corrupting absolutely, and intend to become the most powerful "silent" partner ever seen in the American presidency.
The answer as to which scenario is true probably lies somewhere in the middle. And speaking of the middle, that appears to be something you've lost "your balance, your center, an accurate view of yourself and your own identity." I'd be curious to know how you would respond if asked the question: "If you had to give yourself a single job title, in a single phrase, what would that title be"? Talk show host? Magazine publisher? Perpetual cover girl? Philanthropist? World citizen? Businesswoman? Social and political pundit on any topic imaginable? Spiritual leader? Actress? Movie producer? Educational specialist? Career maker? Book reviewer? Magnate of favorite things? A caution: whenever the answer becomes "all of these, and more," it's clear that focus has been lost and one's ego is in need of serious realignment. Remember your own spirit, please.
Contrary to what you may think, you are not qualified to lead this country, even if indirectly. Yes, your intelligence and passion are unquestioned, yet your breadth and depth of knowledge of how to navigate political waters, as well as your understanding of the depth and complexity of the problems that face this country, are highly questionable. You must realize, on some level, that much of your knowledge is a gloss; there have been too many years of instinctual sound bites, engaging in what on occasion have become little more than self-important soliloquies interrupted only by commercials. (As an aside, what became of the ethic of journalistic objectivity that presumably was functioning in your early career?)
Unfortunately, Barack Obama, despite his apparent intelligence and good intentions, shares many of these same traits, precisely when the gravity of the times demands seasoned, experienced leadership that is capable of reacting with the speed of a hospital's crash team to the many crises looming on the horizon of this country"s skies. As Dr. Phil might say, "it takes a lot of churning to make butter," and neither you nor your candidate is sufficiently churned or seasoned. Therefore, the debate should have nothing to do with either race or gender; its pressing focus should be how to fix what has gone so horribly wrong in the last eight years, and fix it as fast as possible.
In fact, many people do not yet realize just how horribly wrong things have gone, and do not hear the ominous rumbling of the multiple fractures that threaten with immediacy the foundation of this country"s home.
From an historical perspective, the closest analog to our current situation is the end of the term of another of this country's worst presidents: Herbert Hoover. A virtual Nero, Hoover fiddled as Rome burned " while Americans endured the upheaval and suffering of economic, social, and spiritual collapse during the Great Depression, Hoover did nothing of substance to ease the suffering. Franklin Roosevelt and Eleanor " heretofore the most potent "two-fer" in American political history " swept into the White House and rescued this country, yanking its citizens up by the scruffs of their necks and providing hope, pride, and bread. How different this nation might be today if the Roosevelts had not reacted to the emergency with bold, emergency measures.
The comparison to the Clintons should be obvious and should not require elaboration.
What does require elaboration is the impact you unfortunately have had on the American political landscape, as well as the possible implications of your actions to the American future. Aside from your patently racially biased references to Martin Luther King, Jr. about finally "voting in the dream"with Obama, the most telling justification for your endorsement of Obama was something much more subtle: your quoted comment that you felt it your right, as an "American citizen."
Technically speaking, you are not an American citizen. An "American citizen" is entitled to one vote at the ballot box, not millions. In fact, you could be termed a "Megacitizen," hyper entitled, enfranchised exponentially, the most powerful private person in the United States.
I personally feel disenfranchised by you, my single, paltry, perhaps meaningless vote no match whatsoever to your mega powers. And this is the heart of where my objections to your actions congeal " your own hyper awareness of these powers, your dubious motivations, your seeming oblivion to the potential ramifications if you are successful in single-handedly dictating the outcome of an American presidential election.
What a shame. My wish is that you will now hush, step back, reassess your own heart and motivations, consider that you may have committed a monumental abuse of power, perhaps rein in that ego and examine it critically. The damage is done, and the torrent of support you began for Obama may be unstoppable. Maybe. However, I do have faith that once the dazzle of celebrity has faded from the eyes of the Obama converts you created, they will begin to see with clearer sight. As much as Americans historically have been susceptible to a herd mentality when it comes to political manipulation, after the fervor has waned, they can be remarkably thoughtful and astute.
Perhaps they will see that your latest "favorite thing" should not be the favored choice for leadership of this country.

Sent by L. Napier | 6:57 PM ET | 01-08-2008

If NPR, Farai, and whoever else claim to have an interest. You need to focus on the various threats that are destroying the black community. If you can't then you are as worthless as the paper I scoop up my dogs poop!!!!

Sent by Hopkins | 3:31 AM ET | 01-09-2008

At first I was happy to have a woman and black man compete for President.. Clinton faces adultry comments (Which was not her doing.) Obamha faces religious 'roots' comments, even from his own pastor . Oprah became famous because of women viewing her show, now dumps on women to support a fellow black. It's all crazy. Yes, She got car dealers to donate gifts to us but I think Oprahs show has been all fake about wanting women to succeed.

Sent by Barb Burkland | 11:59 AM ET | 04-15-2008