Yvette Carnell: So Lauryn Hill Refused Oprah an Interview? Good.
by Yvette Carnell
After Lauryn Hill started popping out babies by that Marley boy, I began to seriously question her judgement. After her unplugged album, or unhinged 
rather, depending on your reaction, I began to question her sanity.
But now that the multi-talented star who produced a classic album, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, has turned down an interview request from Oprah Winfrey, I think I have reason to be optimistic about how Hill’s story will end.
It’s not that I’m not curious about Hill’s tribulations in the years since her genius debut album, I am. We all are. I would enjoy nothing more than for Hill to have an open field to air her thoughts and reflections. Problem is, Oprah’s field is not a healthy environment for any black celebrity’s confessions because Oprah is now, sadly and regrettably, trafficking in the pathology of crestfallen Negroes.
Here’s the problem in a nutshell: Oprah’s got to make good on her end of the OWN deal or the Discovery Channel’s going to clean her clock. That’s a problem, one that can’t be solved with New Age gurus like Eckhart Tolle (who I actually enjoyed on The Oprah Winfrey Show) or celeb cooking segments. OWN is too deep in the hole to build its way back with a line-up of solid and substantive shows. So Ms. “Live Your Best Life” is taking it back to where it all began for her – tabloid tv.
Oprah Winfrey is trading on the tales of Negro tragedy, dragging us along like little pickaninnies, as she desperately vies for attention from white audiences. And what do white people enjoy diving into more than the pathology of black people? It’s like slumming without having to take the drive through the ghetto. And it’s not only Lauryn Hill. We all cringed as Rihanna discussed her feelings for her abuser, Chris Brown, but Oprah also reportedly wants to tear off the scab from the O.J. Simpson era by interviewing him as well. And after that interview, all of white America will, again, be discussing just how stupid the O.J. jury was, and how despicably evil O.J. is. And, as always, when one black person falls, we all fall.
And why rehash this divisive period? All because black criminality sells in American culture, and it sells like hot cakes when the prism through which it reaches viewers is the black intermediary and nursemaid that is Oprah Winfrey. This is the sort of programming that leads to white hysteria, as evidenced by stop and frisk, but Oprah doesn’t care. She’s desperate.
So, even though Lauryn Hill has always had my respect for her immense talent, she has now earned my respect for her courage. Turning down the Queen of All Media ain’t easy, but sometimes refusing to be used as a p**n in someone else’s game is worth more than anything. After Hill’s recent tax troubles, a sit down with Oprah would only result in a smattering of conversations about how financially irresponsible black women are, with scant discussion of Hill’s actual circumstances, financial or otherwise. Oprah is struggling to stay afloat, but we shouldn’t allow her to commoditize us for her continued elevation. We should just let the black exploitation circle end here. And regardless of her reasons for refusing the interview, we can thank Ms. Hill for that.
Yvette Carnell is a former Capitol Hill and campaign staffer turned writer. She is currently an editor and contributor to Yourblackworld. You can follow her on Twitter @YvetteDC or contact her on Facebook
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Writer? and what is it that you’re doing? I don’t agree. Oprah will have Rihanna on and the next day the author of a book about camping and hiking through the hills in California. Its about variety and she wants that for her show. So instead of being what you accuse her of doing, kill your wack A@%D blog and let her reach out to whomever she sees fit adn MYOD business.
Yvette C (author) thinks to dayum much that she conjures up biased assumptions that she fails to prove in her position of Oprah promoting pathology. She further states that she enjoyed the series with Eckhart Tolle, yet how can you enjoy it, reaping benefit, if you are not able to integrate what Tolle speaks on which is EGO PROJECTIONS of your own issues. If Yvette goes deep within herself, I think she may discover her own jealousy as being the pathology behind her criticism toward Oprah. DONT HATE sistah. That is the last thing we need on this planet and especially in our community.
Interesting & I think I agree although I’m also anxious to hear what L-Boogie has been up to and what her life has been like. I’m also ready for a new album. Lauryn Hill needs to just make another studio album to resolve her financial woes.
Thanks for this article. I could agree with you more.
THIS ARTICLE does little to prove its mainpoint of: “Oprah’s field is not a healthy environment for any black celebrity’s confessions because Oprah is now, sadly and regrettably, trafficking in the pathology of crestfallen Negroes.” So I DISAGREE. I think the author of this article does more to misinform the reader by making skewed and distorted biases fueled by racially insecure biases that the author seems to harbor. Which then leads me to believe that the author is in fact attempting to PROJECT her own pathology off as if OPRAH is hindering the positive images of black people. This article is nonsense, and anyone buying into this article with agreeing, truly lacks the education and reading comprehensive skills to see past the obvious fallacy of this article’s main premise. People like Lauren Hill are famous celebrities with noteable achievements, like many other white artists. They interest others and they are also human suceptible to making mistakes and rebounding from the lessons of their mistakes or adversity. Therefore, it might benefit Hill to possibly share her plight. Yet, I dont think Hill is obligated to share her story with Oprah in that format. I probally would not because its a private matter that I wish to resolve, while not being potentially exploited by mainstream media. Oprah may mean well in extending an invitation to MS. HILL but MS Hill has never striked me as someone needing the VALIDATION of the public as she makes her life choices.
Know that’s a kick in the head when the lady ( Oprah) open doors and made a platform for you to make your umm comment I should say.to agree to disagree is a different medium now because of social media we have to disrespect the work of icon.In my opinion an view point your calling her an uncle tom but in a backstabbing way.Oprah’s respective trademark is well earned.
I totally agree with the writer, Oprah is part of the Illuminati group and Lauren knows that. Oprah could be in my yard and i wouldnt go see her. She sold her soul longtime ago.
I have to agree with Ms.Tasha,what is it that u r doing to another black woman??? i always say that black people are there own worst enemy , we cant b happy for one another or support one another wich is y all the other races keep beating us down …… how sad this is.
u sound like some part of u is jealous of “Lady O” and I dont think she is doing any of what u said, look a Gabby D who she is interviewing this weekend , and what about miss Ilyana VanZant, and all the other Black successful americans she has interviewed?
we all make mistakes and some r worse then others , and Im sure when Lauren is ready she will then give her an interview,but I dont think in know way is Oprah trying to show the world how miss hill failed, but im sure everyone already has their opinion.
I AM A BLACK MOTHER, GRAND MOTHER and GREAT GRAND MOTHER IT REALLY IS PAINFUL TO REALIZE THAT WE HATE EACH OTHER SO MUCH. I STOOD IN LINE IN ALABAMA FOR TWO DAYS PAID A POLL TAX OF $3.00 WHICH WAS A DAYS PAY SO I COULD REGISTER TO VOTE. IT WAS MY HOPE THAT WE AS A PEOPLE COULD ENJOY A BETTER LIFE. HAVE WE NO REGARDS FOR EACH OTHER, DO WE HAVE TO HATE OURSELVES SO MUCH THAT WE LASH OUT AT EACH OTHER. MY GOD! WHEN WILL WE HAVE THE COURAGE TO LOVE US?PE AND IF WE CAN’T ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER KEEP OUR MOUTH ZIPPED, LOCKED AND SHUT! PEACE,LOVE AND BLESSINGS.
Tabloid TV? The writer is ill advised. The following is the complete line up of the first and second seasons of Oprah’s Next Chapter, which is the highest rated show on the OWN network and also the show Lauryn Hill would have appeared on if she hadn’t graciously declined.
David Copperfield
NBA Champion Miami Heat Stars LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh
50 Cent
Kardashian Family
Paris Jackson
Neil Patrick Harris, His Fiancé, David Burtka, and Their Twins
Mayor Cory Booker
Carrie Underwood and Husband Mike
Women of India/Oprah Travels to India
Gloria Steinem
Bishop T.D. Jakes
Oprah Goes Behind Bars: The South Carolina Mom Who Killed Her Baby Boys
America’s Most Unusual Town
Lady Gaga and Her Mother, Cynthia
Oprah Talks to Whitney Houston’s Daughter and Family.
Paula Deen
Tony Robbins
America’s Hidden Culture
Hope in Haiti/Sean Penn in Haiti
George Lucas
Governor Chris Christie
Pastor Joel Osteen
Steven Tyler
Rihanna
Superstar Olympians
Tabloid TV Absolutely:
> Dave Copperfield: TV magician
> 50 No Sense: gangster rapper
> Kim Kardashian & her sisters: ‘white’ girls w tans, full lips & hips & big booties who’ve got a thing for Black male athletes / celebrities
> Rihanna: struts her stuff by pumping-out Hoochie mamma lyrics to Black youth
> Steve Tyler: washed-up / drugged-out ex-rocker who looks like the US’ version of Mick Jagger & who looks like he’s been drugged-out since the mid 1970s
> Lady Gaga: the wild white girl Flesh Dresser- enough said.
> Neil Patrick Harris & spouse Dave Burtka & their Twins: pushing ‘alternatives’ to traditional families
> Gloria Steinem: If people really dug deeply enough into MS Steinem’s back-ground they’d likely to be shocked.
> Rev TD Jakes: Keeping the Faith via a celeb Mega-Church pastor
> Tony Robbins: TV personality pushing the secularized version of the so-called ‘prosperity gospel’
> Newark’s NJ Mayor Corey Booker: a Black Corporate Dim / Obama wanna be
> NJ Gov Chris Christie: who’s the Corporate Repug NeoCON counterpart to Corp NeoLiberal Dim Corey Booker.
@Nixak Luv it!!
You got it right, Nixak. Most of the guests on that line up have been/are involved in a scandal of sorts/controversy or are just played out, gimmick(s) and all. There are so many worthy others that would surely boost ratings, but Oprah would definitely have to be on top of her game to engage them in an intelligent discussion. I would probably even subscribe to OWN if I knew the likes of some of these greats minds might be invited guests: Khalil Gibran Muhammad; Tim Wise; Ruby Dee; Isabel Allende; Arundhati Roy; Leontyne Price; Rachelle Ferrell; the cast from Street Car Named Desire…my list goes on and on.
I agree with the writer, Oprah sold out long time ago. She sold her soul to be famous, Lauren knows that. Oprah. Couldbe in
My yard and I wouldnt go out to see her.
I am not jealous of her, when you have your own church I smell cult.
I’m not surprised to see how much you dislike whitey…i’ve seen it in many of your comments….just so you know we don’t form our opinions from Opra….we form our opinions from what goes on around us…
Interesting article.
While I understand, I’m a bit confused or maybe, uninformed. Before Rihanna’s interview, what “negro tragedy” was Oprah exploiting? I must have missed it, because honestly, the things that I’ve seen on the network have been far more positive than negative.
At the end of the day, I think Oprah is trying to reach a YOUNGER audience… thus interviews with the Kardashians, and Master Class with Jay-Z. Even Rihanna’s reach is far beyond color lines. She’s an international POP star.
This coming week, she’s speaking with Gabby Douglas. Will that interview talk about the problems that she’s had with her absentee father? Probably. But it’s the peaks and valleys of people’s lives that make for good stories. Good stories = more viewers. It’s about business, at the end of the day, right?
@ Andrea
I agree with you totally! At least with Oprah a person of color has the opportunity to really vocalize their side of the story. Whether Ms. Hill accepts the invitation or not to do the show it won’t stop the media from making up what they Think the truth is, and make money off of it. Who really knows why Lauren didn’t pay her taxes, I certainly don’t think it was because she didn’t have the money. I sure this woman continues to make money just by waking up in the morning but that’s not going to stop the media from speculating why she didn’t pay, printing it and Again making money off of it. “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32
i think Lauryns Unplugged album has great emotional and spiritual depth, i think you need to step down on judging so much.
Thank you! I loved the Unplugged album. She came across as really trying to share what she’s learned from her trials and tribulations. in my opinion it’s a strong album and I feel inspired every time I listen to it.
Great post Yvette!
I don’t see her going after Mel Gibson, Charlie Sheen, Lindsay Lohan or Nicole Richie to re-open their bad stories!
And when she interviewed the Kardashians she barely went in on Kim about that s*x tape she cashed in on, or how she has a new boyfriend every other day!
Why blame Oprah for shedding light on the ignorance of our people. If she does not do it white people will. At least with Oprah you get a chance to communicate your thoughts without prejudice!
Go Sis! I really enjoyed this article!!!
How sad it is for people of color to constantly belittle each other. Oprah has done what no other Person; male, female, black or white has done and yet we never fail to try and tear her down.
giive her her props. The author needs a reality check, perhaps she thinks she can gain popularity by trying to downgrade Oprah. Sister you dont have the juice and the way you are going
you never will God Bless
AMEN!
Good for you Lauryn. Stay as far away from that NEGRO-pean, Oprah, as possible!!!
This is spot on. Oprah looks desperate and clueless. Her network is sinking big time and the only one who can save it is O.J. As much as I loathe O.J., even he is smart enough not to sit down with her and I applaud him for that. Why is she interviewing so many black people now? Could it be because she has no other option? She has become so transparent, it’s embarrassing. If she wanted to retire, she should’ve just gone ahead and done it. I’m so through with her.
Lauryn Hill is very sane, and I’ve noticed a trend with BLACK FOLK who are not enlightened. The first thing they do is question someone’s sanity because they do not understand where the person is coming from. STOP doing that. Questioning Lauryn’s sanity is the same as calling her crazy and the easiest way to write someone off and to discard them is to call them crazy. Because she refuses to live her life pandering to the people does not make her insane, it actually makes her more sane than many.
Yeah- I also took issue w the author implying that Lauryn Hill’s choice of motherhood w Bob Marley’s son was bad judgement- IMO that’s a bit presumptive- that’s Lauryn’s personal choice. Lauryn even wrote a song about it on her most famous / successful / Grammy winning album ‘MisEducation of Lauryn Hill [which the author praises]- the song’s title was ‘To Zion’.
Compare that to too many Black single moms w multiple sets of kids from different daddies &/or how many women celebs [Black, white, Latino, Asian, etc] who are famous for being floozies &/or wild style hoochie mamas [Rhianna, Lady Gaga, Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Brittney Spears, Mad-donna, etc].
This is probably the most well-written and best edited story I’ve seen by Yvette Carnell or anyone on this site!
What in the world are you talking about? OWN is the most positive thing on tv. The whole network talks about being your best and healing as we go through life. I don’t know how you came to your conclusion, but to say you’re wrong would be an understatement. Lauren Hill turning down Oprah is fine if that is what she chooses to do, but let’s not take away from the fact that there is something wrong with our beloved L-Boogie. Every since she entered in to a relationship with Marle’s son she has been thrown off and never the same. Truth is “Author” you really need to check your facts because OWN is a network that offers a variety of shows and view points.
The year was about 2007. I was summer vacation and laying on my couch napping. The remote was waaay on the other side of the room and I didn’t feel like getting up. Oprah came on. In and out of sleep I woke up for a segment where some young White lady was talking about some computer program a company had developed to scan faces and using a programmed mathematical equation tell you who was the most beautiful according to the computer. Oprah asked how the computer determined this equation. The young lady stated that they put in all the great art works and sculptures of the European Masters into the computer and based on their work that’s how the computer understood beauty. They showed pictures of some so-called beautiful Hollywood actresses. According to the computer manly looking Jennifer Anniston was more beautiful than Angelina Jolie because Jolie’s big lips gave her a smaller score. The crowd laughs. Oprah smiles at the camera says nothing but ‘we’ll be back after the break’. Basically she just sat there and had some White trick on her show tell her that people with Eurocentic features are better looking than anyone else and no one else’s opinion is even considered and they had no problem programming this bullshit into a computer. That was the last time I ever listened to Oprah about anything. I know exactly where Oprah stands. She might do some good things for people. But how much of that is that patronising type of altruism where you have to beg me for food everyday while I refuse to teach you how to fish and hunt so you will always need me and I will always have someone to worship at my alter? You build a school in a country with no infrastructure where some radical religious idiots don’t even want girls to learn how to read. So when they graduate then what? Go back home to a dirt floor. You send people through College but support a system of White Supremacy where Billionaire Blacks don’t own or produce anything that Black people really need. Sending those College graduates to beg Mr. Charly for a job like everyone else after they finish school. It must be chilly in h**l today because I agree with Yvette. Only a fool airs his or her dirty laundry with nothing to gain from it. Oprah would be the only one who wins in that scenario. I know if I wasn’t selling any product like a new movie or a cd I wouldn’t want to talk to some complete stranger a*****e about my life or my business either. f**k Oprah. I can say that because as we all know by now that’s how she feels about Black Men unless you can buy your way into her caste system despite being some ex-thug drug dealer like 50 Cent or Jay-Z. btw Judgment is a personal opinion. Judgement is an act of God or a Legal Court Order from a Judge.
@ThinkAboutIt…Thank you!
It is what it is! We, the most seing and hearing people, but we don’t except the truth in what was said?
It’s about time, maybe others will follow and not be afraid to say to no to Oprah.
Well, you(haters) are always complaining about Blacks that make it and still reach beyond the top! Miss O could have stayed in her comfort zone(stander daytime media slot) and be number 1 until the cows came home! But she decided to go where no Blacks or Black women have been before!! And what do we do, well not we but you (haters), not bring the good in what she’s doing, not how to make her shows and missions better, just what the average (haters) do,, HATE!! You are a A.S.S. Writer…. Always some s**t! But you do it well
Let those without sun throw the first stone! By the way you appear to be the ugly you don’t like. Sad, simply sad and disgusting!
Sin* not sun
I stopped watching this talk show trash years ago
Interesting how black people cry,moan and complain about distorted twisted sterotypes,but love to watch all these twisted shows that keep promoting them.
A vast % of the people who watch this foolish non-sense
need to go read a classic book by Amos Wilson ” BluePrint for Black Power
Any of these talk show host’s on a large scale are not doing that much when it comes to real topics that might free black’s of today from updated,21st century slavery.
I notice in spite of all the hype,not one of these black tv talk show host bring up the need for black people to create our liberation currency,which might change the value system from a slave type dependent system to a liberation freedom system of values.Then maybe,just maybe the level of black on black violence and crime might be reduced.
Why doesn’t Oprah request an interview , with the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan ? This would be a interview for the ages. Oprah TV ratings , will soar with the Black Community , if her heart is for the people. Not dehumanize the Sister Lauryn , in front of the world, because she’s not well right now. Has there ever been a interview , with Lauryn ? If not , why now ? Think about the interview I suggested, and see how long Oprah last ? Ask Arsenio Hall ?
Oprah doesn’t have to be as bold to interview the so-called ‘controversial’ NOI’s Min Farrakhan to get in trouble. The most trouble she got into was when she had an ex-meat industry exec / turned critic explain just how awful the meat industry’s practices are- which resulted in Oprah getting sued by the meat industry.
The 2nd most trouble she got into was when she supported Obama over Hillary. Many of her white women fans accused her of playing the so-called ‘race-card’ & breaking ranks w her {white} ‘feminist “sisters” ‘[IMO this may have had a lot to do w her so-called 'retirement'].
But then there was a talk-show in the early 1990s hosted by the Black inspirational speaker Les Brown. The show wasn’t even controversial but it was POSITIVE – when the trend in talk shows was hyped [outrageous] sensationalism- which Bro Brown refused to do. End result- They pulled his show within a yr- even though it had respectable ratings for the time slot it was in [11 - 12pm which put it head to head w the Tonight & Dave Letterman shows]. He was replaced w a Black Oprah wanna-be [Rolonda- both her & Oprah's shows were produced by King Productions] who even though she was more ‘compromising’ on the sensationalism issue [her show was accused of being a Jerry Springer clone], never-the-less Rolonda’s show played-out after just 3 yrs.
Amen to that
Laryn Hill has a choice to accept or decline the interview with Ophrah and her choice was to decline. Even thouugh she is a wonderful music artist her personal life is her business and its her choice to whether or not she wants to share every detail with the American world of all diversity becuase once you are exposed on television the viewing is aired and seen in all homes. The choices Laryn has made are hers she is a grown woman. If she wants to have 12 kids thats her business. I think sometimes we get to caught up. Our opinions are not going to make or break her as well as supporting her finiancially or taking care of her kids. I respect Laryn Hill’s character and her choice.
MJ
When the truth is spoken it is truly resounding!!! I had spoken about Oprah’s need to keep up with the Steinbergs, Mottolas and Smith’s of the world in regards to owning a network and the need to make good returns on such an investment. Investment…the word has taken on such a negative connotation in America that EVERY citizen should be suspect of that type of financial endeavor. It’s so obvious that the television and internet backlash concerning MOST BLACK PROGRAMMING in America is in direct retaliation for the strides made in American television by people in the industry from the 1970s well into the 1990s! After 2K it’s gone horrendously backwards and we’re not protesting it enough at all. That is why I get so frustrated whenever I even hear ANYBODY talking about a show like Basketball Wives and the like, the route that BET has been since like 2001 and this new jiggaboo era on network television. That pathology really was solidified by the Rihanna interview and the fact that that child is so lost being pimped by an elder that should know better is the most undeniable demonstration of it.
Excellent, excellent, excellent points and articulated so well, Sistah Carnell. I have never been a fan of Oprah because I had that third eye, which is all telling. Thanks for putting your insightful points in writing for the Black World to zoom in on.
Additionally, I am a big fan of Lauryn Hill’s music and natural locs and I believe she has risen and becoming that phenomenal woman. I am pleased she denied Oprah (Sally Mae) an interview.
I like your article, but to first go in on her about having children with a man is very telling.
She can financially take care of them so what’s it to you? Damned if you do damned if you don’t. Stop bashing the sister. She is doing her best as YOU are!
@ herearethefacts
Whether she can financially take care of them or not, I don’t think is the issue. Children need two parents in their lives, and not just part-time. The fact of the matter is Lauren knew she was having these children with Someone else’s husband! If she didn’t know it after the first one, I’m certain she knew it by the last one. By no means am I judging her because the heart makes you do foolish things, but she was disrespecting herself. She deserved and deserves far better. I wish Lauren much peace, real love and true joy!
You don’t know what you are tallking about. Rohan was not married during his relationship with Lauryn. He divorced in July 1996. He posted his divorce papers on line during the last made up media controversy. The divorce was file in his ex’s native Haiti. Divorce papers posted here
http://avahtaylor.wordpress.com/2011/06/09/a-conversation-with-rohan-marley-pt-1/
This just one of the many lies Lauryn and her family has been subjected to over the years.
@ forevergone
I don’t exactly know what language those papers are written in, but I can read numbers and I think the year stamped on the top of that paper is 2010.
According to Mr. Marley himself (just saw him on an interview), he and Ms. Hill had a 16 year relationship (1996-2012.) I’m no accountant but according to my calculations that would have made him married when he helped create all those lives (5 to be exact.)
And the really sad thing is he claims to love and respect Lauryn but he’s marrying some Brazilian model (Isabeli Fontana) that he’s know for 7 months.
I just pray to God no man eve loves me and respects me that much! (SMH)
http://www.twirlit.com/2012/05/18/rohan-marley-lauryn-hills-exproposes-to-isabeli-fontana-video/
The document is in french. You are looking at the date the copy was made. He was indeed divorced July 1996. Lauryn did not give birth to her first child until August 1997. The ex is remarried herself and has children by her husband. Why Rohan and Lauryn never legally married is their business. I think Lauryn has moved on; therefore, Rohan is free to do the same. Since you keep track of these things. I believe Lauryn gave birth to another mans child in 2011. So, no she was not with Rohan in 2012. Just admit you are wrong, and stop spreading that lie.
@ forevergone
I know I’m a little off topic but I forgot to add to my previous post, he’s a NO GOOD b*****d!!!
Great article Yvette. On point as always.
The writer talks about Oprah trafficking in crestfallen Negros and Negro tragedies and I agree 100%. But this is nothing new for Oprah. She did this with her talk show and movies but it was directed solely towards BLACK MEN. Black women were portrayed as the long suffering victims of black men. A lot of black women at that time didn’t care about the complains black men had of Oprah selling negative stereotypical images of black men to her white middle class viewers for ratings. The black male critics of Oprah at that time were written off as jealousy of a successful black woman. So long as Oprah validated black women’s victim status many black women didn’t care. As some of the previous comments show black women still don’t care so long as she shows them as victims.
I get it that we as black people want to admire those of us who succeed but not at the expense of throwing us as black people under the bus to do so. We should be able to criticize them publicly when they do. I agree with the writers assessment of why she wants to interview OJ. I knew when she first started the network she stated she wanted to interview OJ Simpson and make him confess she was pandering to the worst elements of her white audience. But now that she’s become an equal opportunity exploiter by including the negativity of black women it becomes an issue.
I totally disagree with this article. Oprah has sat down and interviewed with Blacks who were successful as well including 50 Cents (who I really don’t care for) and the dudes from the Miami Heat when they won the championship. I am so tired of Black people dumping on Oprah simply because of her success. she got in where SHE fit in…if that is not how you would do things, do it your way and make it there.
The fact is that Black people spend more time hating on other Black people for no reason at all. If you want to reach her level of success, trust me, you have to play the same game. And if not, you can sit on the sidelines while she does her thing.
Lauryn Hill can keep her interview, it could have been a chance to reconnect with her fans…but she shall remain forever disconnected. Maybe the jail time will make her re-evaluate her priorities again. Peace!
So glad she turned her down. Great article I soooo agree with Lauryn. Oprah please sat down. YOU WILL NOT and I repeat WILL NOT air all L-Boogie bizness on your subpar show. Lauryn Hill is one of the greatest!! “Lauryn Hill say her heart was in Zion I wish her heart still was in rhymin. Cause who the kids gon’ listen to?” I soo wish she would come back though. Mad Luv Lauryn!!
I don’t know if I agree or disagree with on this one Yvette. I do think we can help Ms. Winfrey have better programing if we were to support her network. There is such a thing as people get what they deserve and maybe, maybe we as a community should support Ms. Winfrey’s excellent programing and avoid the Rhyanna, Bobby Christina cry fest. I did. So I am happy to say I saw the previews and those interviews were not for me.
I respectfully disagree with the writer. I enjoy the OWN Network. There’s much more on this station than interviewing Black celebrities. I used to dislike a lot of things about Oprah. Now, I respect her vision. She’s NOT out to “get” anybody. She’s doing what she feels is relevant. I enjoyed seeing Rhianna as much as I enjoyed the interviews with olympic heros and other people. Oprah has earned the right to follow her dreams and reinvent herself as many times as she wants to.
Good- that Lauryn Hill had the wisdom to not go on national television and tell all her personal business. Excuse me if I don’t stand up & give a standing ovation. More celebrities need to keep their business to themselves rather than cash it in for 15 minutes of buzz from a story trending on yahoo news or google.
However~As I recall, Oprah shares the stories good, bad & ugly of ALL God’s children, not just “Negro tragedies” as Ms. Carnell proposes. Everyone of those people made the choice to go tell it on the mountain about the tragedy that was their life.
That is exactly why Oprah has a diverse audience of black, white, yellow, red, old, young, lower, mid, upper class, gay, straight, conservative, liberal, etc. She connects with people of all walks. The fact that she is a woman is one part of who she is just as being black is another part of who she is.
If we as Human Beings of all backgrounds could be less defined by these components of who we are, we’d get a lot more out of life and we’d realize we have a h**l of a lot more people we could share it with rather than self imposed segregation that so many people seem to cling to.
I think Lauren made a wise decision by not appearing on Oprah’s show. I think it sends a clear message. Others should follow Lauren’s lead. Some celebrities should’ve turned her down when she was doing “The Opera Winfrey Show”.
Great article Yvette. I totally agree with you.
When Oprah is back on top she won’t give a F about anyone black, just like the good old days.
Let her find someone else to exploit for ratings.
Exactly!!!!
‘BALONEY’
I agree with the article and I think Lauryn did herself justice in not wanting to be interviewed by Oprah. I do feel that she will be okay…She’s multi talented and such a beautiful woman and even though she has six children by one of Bob Marley’s son’s, these children will be a blessing to her..I truly believe that.
Yvette, this is a well-written article and I totally agree with you. I will be watching your works. God bless!
Yvette Carroll needs to shut the h**l up on choosing Oprah for this column. Oprah’s requests for interviews are not any different than what Barbara Walters went for when she had her TV Specials. Oprah has done far more good over the years – paying for many Black students to complete 4-yr. college program, helping with Katrina victims, plus she had many many charitable organizations that she worked with and provided financial assistance during her 25 yr. run talk show. I agree that Lauryn should not discuss her tax problems and/or any problems if this is what she chooses to do. As far as Oprah’s interview with Rihanna – who actually cared? It is difficult to respect a woman who allows a man to beat her up and then she socializes with that piece of scum and to add insult to injury, records a song with him. Rihanna is just plain dumb. If this writer wants to find someone to criticize, then write a column on Steve Harvey. Explain why parents teach their children to speak properly, but then this “so called comedian” can use words like “fo” for “for” and “do” for “door” and actually thinks this is cool. I stopped watching Family Feud because he is a total embarrassement. The White man just looooooooooooves to watch us act like an Uncle Tom Steppin Fetchit and this is why he was chosen for that show. I’ve watched that show for years and none of the previous hosts ever asked some of those dumb questions, but he will ask and “fall out laughing” and these questions just belittle people in general.
Thank you, RMC, for exposing Steve Harvey. I lost respect for him in the 90s. I can’t stand his profane mouth, and he has the nerve to appear on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. You’re right, he is exactly the typical Steppinfetchit-type Negro that whitey loves to promote. Steve may be shuffling all the way to the bank-but at what cost to our people? And praises be to Lauryn Hill for refusing to give Oprah an interview.
Unreleased song by Lauryn sums this situation up perfectly. Check it out. “World Is a Hustle”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYAKbP_X3P8
This is Ms Hill!
Man, that’s an awesome @ss tune! Lauryn’s a bad sister! They don’t want us w.this kind of msg no more! Too much truth! Tks for the link!
Hey Lauren….do Arsenio’s new show!
Jax? What world are you living in? What part of the country? God!
Would someone please tell me who in the world is Oprah?
I suppose Oprah, and every other black entertainer, are suppose to restrict their shows and talents, to black people only. If they did, they would soon be marginalized to working for trashy news publications like this Kulture Kritic, and making peanuts. Oprah, has made her money by an diverse audience, but does not owe any single one of them anything, but a good show.
Yevette sounds very jealous. What have u contributed to the black community but your opinion? We will always find a way to tear down our folks instead of being productive and supportive. As blacks we must become more than consumers to obtain power. Tv is sensored folks therefore if Oprah put on what she really wanted to would we support her. Sadely some of us won’t. We will however watch reality show c**p on VH1 which is so degrading to blacks yet have the highest ratings. Yet we bash OWN. Something is wrong with that picture.
I couldnt agree more. The OWN network is all about positive programming. How many of you have taken the time to support those shows? Did the author of the article ever watch VH1 or MTV? Do those network depict blacks in a positive way? Maybe we should be more supportive of blacks who are doing something positive with their lives. Oprah, keep those interviews coming.
I’m no Oprah groupie; however Ms. Carnell I couldn’t disagree with you more! You comment that Ms. Winfrey exploits “tales of the Negro tragedy.” Sister you “Were” a campaign staffer, and I can’t imagine Anything being more exploitative then politics. Sounds a little like the pot calling the kettle black! Like her or not, Ms. Winfrey has educated a lot of people of color which I’m certain is far more then what you’ve done with your opinionated commentaries. And well Ms. Hill, while I love and appreciate her talent, the choices she made were just that, hers. Peace and Blessings to Ms. Hill. “and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:32
First it was President Obama and now it is Oprah…WOW!!!Hatefulness takes a bunch of negative energy. Think about how much time it takes to write something so ugly about Oprah or better yet, President Obama. You have to go into your mean spirit and dig deep and frown and dislike that person to be so vengeful. This site has yet to talk about real issues.
A real issue is what is happening to Black Voters and Latino Voters in Ohio..You want to spread some dirt, spread dirt worth spreading. There was a Senator in PA that made a statement that when they are able to close the polls earlier to keep the people that will vote for President Obama so that Mitt Romnet will be able to get in. This is one of our Key States and so is OH. We Need To Spread This Word..Who cares that Ms. Hill does not want an interview…Not Important…The vote is Important…Get out and Vote and make sure your Vote Counts. Watch MSNBC with Rachel and Chris and they will tell you news worthy stuff…Stuff that counts.
Oooooohhhhhh Toni; SPEAK THE TRUTH!!!
Thank you for that info Toni.
WHAT IS A (WO)MAN TO PROFIT THE WORLD, AND LOSE HIS /HER SOUL !!!
Love the truth!!!
No Tony, we’re not going to contract the world toOprah’s or Obama’s little studios! We’re going to look at the sins of the black 1% against the 99% cause we’re being slaughtered like Ms Carnall said. RMC..on the contrary, you need to shut up with that missed education.
i agree that LH made a good decision not to appear on the show…she has yet to be sentenced and if you read her paranoid rant on twitter after she was indicted it was obvious the reports of her bi-polar state are mostly likely true. so, yes i’m glad she refrained from digging herself any deeper. i wish her the best but it doesn’t look good for her right now.
While who gives a darn about the media? Good for Lauren. She is no dummy by a long shot. She has learned some things thru her trials and tribulations. That is that people have agendas. It not about you it’s for themselves. Noozy and greedy people.
Listen to what you just said! “shedding light on the ignorance of our people.” And, Lauren was to do that?? She is not ignorant.
Yvette, get a life! Their must be some other way to attain visibility and recognition without being another crab in the barrel. Oprah has worked extremely hard in developing her career. She, nor any other achieved Afro- American need people like you and your husband to bring them down.
I sat and read some off the comments and was hoping that someone would eventually stand up and say: “Wait a minute! since when do we make it a priority to even be concerned what the white man is thinking of us?!” And that’s what this whole article is about. Let’s say if Oprah wasn’t as popular and just a journalists on BET doing a special; would this article be written? What she says about Oprah may be true, but Rhianna and Lauryn had a choice and Rhianna made her decision. Because just like any other star out there with some issue, every media company in this country is calling for an interview.
But really in my opinion of Oprah, I really doubt that she is selling out. This woman is black and gives back to black folks. She stepped up in Katrina and a whole host of other charities for us. I think what she’s doing is similar to what the koreans do when they sell fake hair, “chinese slippers”, fake gold fronts, flight jackets, black hair grease, du-rags and anything that may be popular for black people at the time-she’s capitalizing. I’ve read someones response earlier about the “computer beauty assessment machine” -how she allowed the woman to basically say that Europeans are the standard for beauty and then Oprah cut to commercial. Oprah does that all the time to keep from saying what she really wants to say. Because in that sense she looses her main audience-white folks. How else is she going to make billions and be able to use that money to give back to her own people. So I say to people that lack understanding for what’s really going on, stop and really break the situation down before you speak on it.
And Yes Oprah hates rap and I don’t blame her because rap hates her too and any other dark skinned girl.
Just watch OUR Sister Oprahs Back – d**n she ain’t God.
Like we all learn-she also learns as well- don’t be confused by her money she’s a child of God.
She also can be brought to the floor for some QA’s.
We should see if we can come together as common folk and do something as a sign of unity amongst ourselves-and see if we can do something without relying on the Rich Black Folk-I believe we can teach America what Unity is as we did during the CIVIL RIGHTS/Human Rights Movement—because now is the time to do something other than trying to prove ones point is more PROFOUND than the others – CAN WE
Boycott Christmas 2012
To Pet – I don’t and won’t shut up – why don’t U try shutting up when you don’t understand anything – I stand by everything I said and if you don’t care for my comments – I say “too bad and I don’t give a damm” People like U R probably the ones who appreciate our race acting like Uncle
Toms. You are probably one of those “fallin out laughing” at a comedian who is totally embarrassing our race and doing just what the other race wants – put us on TV to act like a first class fool.
Oooophrah don’t give a heck about black people…I keep telling yall…when she had her national airing….the black guest took the back seat to the yellow hair and blue eyed guests who sat on the front rows.
I am with you Toni, this is a place where “all haters” get their thing off. Just because she denied her an interview doesn’t mean Oprah is less than. Maybe she’s ashamed because she made a bad decision for not paying her taxes. that is kind of DUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oprah lost me when she tried coming up with her own religion. She said because she heard a Pastor say that God was jealous of her. She also lost me when she back stabbed the Clintons for Obama. She was supposedly good friends with the Clintons. I think she is racist. And I hate racists no matter what color they are. BUT all the whiteDem pols and Clinton lovers back stabbed Hillary also.
Everyone should read the book “Negrophilia” by Eric Rush. Rush is a man with a white parent and a black parent. Great book.
I’m neither a big fan of Oprah nor Obama, but IMO you’ve got it wrong. Both Billary & some of Oprah’s white feminists {ex}fans showed their true {race}colors in the 2008 race between Obama & Billary. The Clintons played the race-baiting card so close to the edge that several CBC members told them to chill-out. And the late Ted Kennedy was so disgusted by their tactics the he enthusiastically endorsed Obama over Billary at the critical stage in the race & even convinced his niece Caroline to do the same. IMO- It was Ted Kennedy’s enthusiastic endorsement, NOT Oprah’s, that shifted the balance decisively in Obama’s favor.
And some white feminist Oprah {ex}fans were just plain presumptuous to assume that Oprah was just supposed to endorse Billary vis-a-vis Obama, when she showed every indication she was leaning toward Obama months before she made it official. She clearly said that she was NOT against Billary but was for Obama & felt that they we both worthy candidates. But just like the OJ episode any time Blacks [whether it be Oprah or those Blacks on OJ's jury] don’t do what most whites presume they are supposed to do- in their minds it just got to be because Blacks are playing the so-called ‘Race-Card’ [canard]!
Nooo! Myke , we don’t need to read negrophilia; you need to read Marcus Garvey or some black history. RMC …I feel sorry for negroes like you always beggin for crumbs at the rich folks table cowering and emulating, but flaming fiercely at another poor person.
To: PET – Find someone else to feel sorry for like maybe yourself.
your response doesn’t even make sense (i.e. begging for crumbs) because I defend Oprah and point out the class clown. It’s negros like you who enjoy watching clowns embarrass our race. I’m for children today speaking correct English -do you know how to speak correct English? You’re entire response is ridiculous.
Yvette, I think you have exaggerated some of your article, but you are right. Oprah’s decision to interview Kim Kardashian should have warned me that she was becoming desperate. There are so many influential, successful and inspirational blacks, and other races out there that she could have chosen. Who cares if whites wouldn’t watch those interviews? Why must all projects undertaken by blacks be geared towards pleasing the whites?
Oprah trying to stay afloat? Really? I hope you dont believe yourself because Oprah doesn’t need Lauryn hill to stay afloat! Oprah is damned is she do or don’t! Oprah can never lift a finger again and be set for life. TV is only one facet of her life! Give credit where its due and quit hatin!
LET THE CHURCH SAY : AMEEEEEEEN!!
That is why Lauryn is d**n respected!
Oprah had a very informative interview a couple of weeks ago with Gabby Douglas and next week she is interviewing Jennifer Hudson. I suppose someone will make find a reason to criticize Oprah for these interviews as well. Oprah has done far more positive than negative things during her many years on TV. Much of this criticism toward Oprah is based on JEALOUSY.
Despite what you may feel for Oprah. Yvette Carnelle is doing exactly what she is accusing Oprah of. She may indeed be correct in her assessment but the name calling and vindictiveness is what makes this borderline hypocritical. Clean it up some and then repost the article. Then we may have something.
Oprah is a billionaire and could retire if she wanted to. Yvette strikes me as an envious person in how she writes about black people like Oprah and the Obamas.
There is nothing wrong with Oprah getting interviews with people who’ve had controversial lives — that’s what audiences gravitate to, so why hold Oprah to a different standard than Barbara Walters or others? Or should Oprah not do any interview with a black person who’s had some difficulties? Why should this be viewed as exploitation if she does?
Oprah hosted a gathering for the cast of Roots. Oprah brought together young and black women to celebrate. Oprah publicly made up with Iyanla Vanzant, showing that she is willing to humble herself in order to support another black woman (because Iyanla did acknowledge that she didn’t handle the situation as well as she could have when she told Oprah she had an offer to do a show with a white network, which resulted in them going their separate ways). Oprah opened a school for girls in Africa. SHE DESERVES CREDIT FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS.
Criticism that is not legitimate suggests someone is envious — and I would say this applies to Yvette due to the tone of her article.
Yvette, you could have simply written a straight news story and made your point by providing facts. So what that Lauryn turned down an Oprah interview? People do it — I’m sure it won’t be the last time. But it’s not going to end Oprah’s empire, either.
Insinuations in Yvette’s off-the-wall analysis of Oprah’s intentions is crabs-in-the-barrell mentality.
Last, Yvette’s point that “And, as always, when one black person falls, we all fall,” is BULL.
A lot of articles written by Yvette could do far more harm to the black image that Yvette is so concerned about due to her negative approach to everything, if whites were reading Yvette’s articles.
Oprah is not harming black people’s lives due to having large white audiences. News flash: Black people watch the Oprah/OWN network too.
YVETTE SHOD PRAY THAT SHE CAN BECOME THE PERSON OF ETHICS AS OPPRAH IS. THIS IS THE CRAB MENTALITY THAT SOME OF OUR PEOPLE HAVE. I WISH THAT THIS PERSON CAN RE-EVALUATE HER STATEMENTS ABOUT OPRAH. ACCUSING OPRAH OF EXPLOITING BLACK PEOPLE IS NOWHERE NEAR HER CHRACTER .
Once again, African American women tearing each other to shreds. Now I understand why your men are coming to us.
Yvette is totally right about Oprah who is struggling to keep her show afloat.Oprah made a lot of money by interviewing safe persons and avoiding ‘radical’ people and issues in and about the Afrikan community in order to be approved of by her European overseers and audiences.Mis-educated negroes and negresses object strenuously to any Afrikan who criticises Obama and Winfrey by saying that the critics are ‘jealous’ because these fools want them to be judged solely on their race and not on WHAT THEY DO OR DO NOT DO WHERE AFRIKANS ARE CONCERNED IN AND OUT OF THE U.S.A.
Everyone who disagreees with this ungrateful for all Oprah has done for black journalist. (Esp Jermaine Lett, I agree with.