Oprah Winfrey - Report Example

Oprah Winfrey Introduction Through the ages, the various iconic figures have made significant impact on the society at large. The twentieth century has witnessed great people who have made tremendous mark in the various fields and whose works have been a continuous source of inspiration for others to achieve great heights in their personal and professional lives. Of all the various living and non living legendary figures who have positively influenced the lives of the people, Oprah Winfrey can be legitimately claimed as the most inspirational living character. Oprah Winfrey has risen from the ashes to triumph over the adversities of life and make a place for herself in the history of mankind. Origin and source Oprah Winfrey was born on 29 January, 1954 in Kosciusko, Mississippi. Child of an unwed black mother, she was brought up by her grandmother. As a highly gifted child, she started recitation of poems and sermons from the ages of three and would be encouraged to recite those in the Sunday church. From the age of six to the age of thirteen years, she spent with her mother in the North where she went through physical and mental abuse. She learnt to survive through sheer grit but ultimately ran away. In the juvenile home, she was denied admission as there were no beds! Thereafter, she was sent to Nashville to her father’s place. Her father was a strict disciplinarian who had utmost faith in her capabilities to achieve not only academic brilliance but also in any area that she wished. It was his expectations from her that inculcated the confidence and a will to prove him right (Biography). While she herself was never daunted by the fact that she was black, during her adolescent period, she was ridiculed by her community about her ambitions to compete with the whites and make a special place for herself in the world where racial discrimination was rampant and a fact of life. At the age of 17, she started off as radio jockey and later became television anchor. In 1984, the turning point came when the low rating talk show AM Chicago became an instant success after Oprah took over the anchoring. In 1985, the show was renamed ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ and won 3 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding Host, Talk Program and Direction. Later, Oprah bought the sole rights of the show and formed her own production company ‘HARPO’ to host her various TV programs and produce movies which primarily raised socially relevant issues. Oprah also starred in the Hollywood films and her cameo role in her first film ‘The Deep Purple’ was nominated in Oscar. Though she later worked in several films, but she remained passionate towards ‘the Oprah Winfrey Show’ that took up the burning social issues that made tremendous mark on the American society at large. Her efforts to improve the awareness regarding African American issues have served to improve the status of that particular segment of society. She has also become the first African American woman to become a billionaire and is presently considered to be one of the most powerful and influential figure of the world. Versions and variations In this patriarchal society, when the women are still struggling to establish their identity, the rise of Oprah Winfrey, an African American woman has been nothing short of a miracle. Today, she serves as the most influential role model for her millions of fans across the world who has overcome the social and racial prejudices to emerge as a symbol of woman power. Oprah Winfrey is the only woman who has risen above her gender and race to truly symbolize empowerment that has become one of the most crucial issues among the women activists as it directly influences the welfare of the women and the society at large. The rise of Oprah Winfrey has brought hope for the millions of woman who had become resigned to their fate. Oprah, through her various social relevant works, facilitates realization of self worth, instilling self confidence in one’s ability to make independent decisions about themselves, especially with relation to their socio-economic and political decisions. She has shown that women have the power to influence and make a definite impact on the society, changing and creating a new vision for their untapped potential and great scope for their development as individuals. Media and audiences Her show ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show’ has more than 40 million viewers that cuts across age, gender, color and race. While women may share almost equal platform on visual media as TV anchors, newsreaders but in general, they have not been given the space and the importance that they deserve but Winfrey’s charismatic personality has only hogged the major limelight in the niche primetime show in the television world. The public debates on the racial prejudices and the increasing exposure of the ethnic minority to the media in the form of anchors, artists, journalists etc. has helped to narrow the socio-cultural and ideological differences amongst the communities. The Oprah show has ushered in an era that has promoted equal opportunity and proved that diversity in workplace must be considered as an essential factor of development and an intrinsic part of change. Meanings and functions In the eighteenth and nineteenth century, the color of the skin played a major role in the social status. The whites maintained a racial divide within the society through deliberate use of powerful lobby of the whites and financial advantages that they enjoyed over their less privileged counterparts. The blacks were not allowed to participate in social activities and even education was denied to them so that they would remain unequal socially and economically. Oprah Winfrey had realized that education leads to the path of success and through her talk shows, magazine, website, seminars, charity works and public appearances, she has ensured and facilitated that education becomes accessible to the people of all hue and color. Even in the enlightened age, the blacks and ethnic minorities still have to fight for their rights in the twentieth century and struggle to avail privileges that are enjoyed by the white population in countries like America and England. Oprah has shown that the white supremacy has ended and it is up to the colored minority to prove that they have the inner strength and potential to meet the challenges with confidence and courage and overcome the hardships and prejudices to emerge as winners. Winfrey’s works and legendary success in a male dominated arena inspires and will continue to motivate millions of men and women, across the globe to strive towards success with renewed vigor. In her book, Janice Peck says that ‘Oprah Winfrey is not just a talk show host and entertainer but the voice of our era’ (Peck, 2008) Conclusion Oprah Winfrey is one of those iconic characters who has set the example of exemplary leadership through her work and personal commitment towards her work and her beliefs. She has taught us to have beliefs in ourselves and our abilities to change. Her focused approach shows that disciplined work is the key to the success of our vision and mission. The last but not the least is the fact which shows that success must be shared with people who are less privileged, as Oprah has shown through her commitment for the underprivileged segment of the people, irrespective of race, culture and nationality. Reference Oprah Winfrey Biography. Available from: [Accessed 26 January, 2009]. Peck, Janice. (2008). The Age of Oprah: Cultural Icon for Neoliberal Era. Paradigm Publishers. Read More