Apparently I Found a Soapbox

I am boycotting Oprah. I won't deny that I have been an avid viewer in the past, but no more!! I have found myself shocked and angered by topics being shared on her show as of late, that make me wonder what we are doing for our fellow women, or fellow human beings all together.

For example, there was the episode that highlighted the "philanthropic" actions of North American women who paid impoverished women in India to be the surrogate mothers of their children. It was sold as a "win-win" situation: the North American woman gets her long desired child, meanwhile generously providing the Indian woman with what would be seen as a large amount of money that would be able to provide them with the means to move up in life and provide for her family. These actions were celebrated by Oprah and her audience, with NO mention of the possibility that this was in fact exploitation of another woman done under the guise of providing the beautiful gift of life for another woman. Are we really helping one another here?

Then there was the last episode I watched a few weeks ago while on my dinner break at work. It highlighted the life of a middle age "exotic dancer" and single mother of two, who was applauded for her ability to only work 3 nights a week so that she could spend more time with her children and be available for them. When asked how she felt about how the families of her children's friends might react negatively after the airing of the show, she responded that she had lived too many years caring about what other people thought about how she lived her life, and appeared totally comfortable with the idea that this might negatively impact her children. My heart broke. It broke for the lives of these two kids, and it broke for this mother, who was so misguided. How, I wondered, are you helping your children, by exploiting yourself, for the pleasure of men? How are you loving your daughter, and showing her that she deserves a man who respects her - for her and not her body??? How is this behaviour applauded?

What concerns me even more, is the vast amount of people (mostly women) who watch these shows, and take the word of Oprah as gospel, and live it out in their lives, therefore impacting the lives of their children. And my heart breaks again. Who will stand up for these girls? Who will be their role models? Who will help shape their moral identities, sense of self, and value as young women?

I have been blessed with knowing many beautiful women in my life. Women who inspired, and shaped me into who I am. From camp counsellors as a little girl who showed our little cabin of scrawny 8 year olds, that we were beautiful, and valued, and special. Then there were youth leaders, like Rachel Richmond, who's joyful faithfulness in serving managed to show me at an early age what walking with God looked like in real life, in a real woman, who was beautiful in all ways. And my sister-in-law, who has probably shaped me more than I know, as she's been in my life longer than she hasn't been. It was she that instilled in me that I was worthy of a prince, a mantra I have shared with many a girlfriend, and that there is something beautiful in the girl who can handle herself on the sports field in the afternoon and feel stunning in heels that night! I have heard how my mother impacts the lives of the people she works with, by simply being herself, in her soft yet strong, steadfast way, and know without a doubt that has shaped how I live out my faith. I have watched women serve in the community, giving of their time and skills to bless those around them. I have seen the hospitality of women opening their homes and kitchens to however many people they could ask, not to be restricted by the size of their table or dining room.

These are the women that need to be applauded. These are the lives that need to be highlighted. And not because of the effect that they have had on me, but because it is women like these who change the world, and selflessly bring light to those around them, just by being who they are...everyday. And it is these women to who I am eternally grateful.