Oprah is Far from a Demon: Rethinking the "Abuse" in South Africa

Imagine living in South Africa below the poverty level and being handed a ticket to what could be the greatest education ever. That's exactly what Oprah Winfrey is doing for a group of girls in South Africa with the opening of her school. Now reports are coming out from "concerned parties" that the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy is more like that of a prison than of a school. I ask what did these people expect, a lax unconcerned school and administration that let's their students fall to the wayside (like America) or one in which education is the focus and goal? Surely the parents realized that this school would actually challenge the students and expect only the best.

These same "concerned parties" also point to the student's inability to see family and friends on a regular basis and have to settle for monthly visits. Wait, wasn't this school to be run as a boarding school? That means that a little give and take has to be done, not just sit on our hands and only get involved when something doesn't go our way. I can also bet with great assurance that all parties involved knew what would be involved with their daughters attending this school. No loving party would place their child in this school without researching it first, well unless you are an unconcerned American that panics when Johnny and Sally can't passed a basic skills test.

I know this might sound overly harsh but this school is been run and funded by the most successful African-American woman ever. She understands drive and success and will probably only hire the best available staff and faculty to run this facility. Also, she herself is funding the virtually free education and can set the rules and policies to be followed with the walls of the academy. I can guarantee that the girls wake up every morning hoping to learn and help advance a very socially torn country, not wake up and go to class and goof off like American students.

I just ask that we stay focused on the important issue here, that of education, nothing more and nothing less. If the schools is mistreating their students then something should be done, but I feel we are too quick to start pointing fingers and not analyzing the situation. My dream is these girls succeed and help the advancement of not only South Africa but also the world.