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Biography

Oprah Winfrey: The Heart of the Matter

Anyone who owns a television set in America, or anywhere else in the world, knows Oprah. She is a part of American history and culture. This determined woman rose from the depths of poverty to become one of the richest women in the world. But more importantly, she is also one of the most beloved women in the world. Her down-to-earth style and ability to put guests and audiences at ease has earned her a spot in America's heart. Oprah Winfrey has overcome the limitations sometimes faced by African-American women, what scholars call the "double jeopardy" of being black and female in a country that in the recent past practiced legal discrimination against both. BIOGRAPHY takes a look at this unique woman who transcends the boundaries of race, class and gender, and perhaps more than any other entertainer/personality, is the face of what America could be. Oprah Winfrey: Heart of the Matter would be useful for classes on American History, African-American History, American Culture and Media Studies. It is appropriate for middle school and high school.

OBJECTIVES

Students will examine the life and career of Oprah Winfrey. By doing so they will analyze the race, gender and class implications of opportunity in America and the legacy of movements such as the Civil Rights Movement. They will also explore the role of celebrities and media in American culture, and the impact of popular culture on contemporary lifestyles and mores.

NATIONAL HISTORY STANDARDS

Oprah Winfrey: Heart of the Matter fulfills the following National Standards for History for grades 5-12: Chronological thinking, historical comprehension, historical analysis and interpretation, historical research capabilities, historical issues-analysis and decision-making for Era 10.

Vocabulary

• advocate
• amnesia
• intermittent
• mentor
• outhouse
• promiscuity
• slop jar
• solace
• spontaneity
• unorthodox
• unruly

Discussion Questions

1. Oprah is more than your everyday success story; some call her a "living symbol of possibility." What does this mean? Do you agree with this statement? Who else fits this description?
2. Everyone has people in their lives that have exerted influence or guidance. Who has had the strongest influence in Oprah's life? Why?
3. Discuss how Oprah is a symbol of the American dream.
4. Oprah did not live with her father in the early years of her life. How did she end up living with her dad and why?
5. Some people are lucky enough to have a special teacher in their lives. For Oprah, it was her fourth grade teacher, Miss Duncan. Have you had a special teacher in your life? If so, why was this teacher special? What did she/he do that made her/him special?
6. Like most victims of sexual abuse, Oprah did not tell anyone about her abuse until she grew up. Why are victims of sexual abuse hesitant to tell anyone? Who should they tell? Where can they get help?
7. Discuss the role of books in Oprah's life.
8. Oprah rebelled against authority when she was a teen-ager. How and why did she rebel?
9. How did Oprah become a television journalist?
10. Oprah's "likability" is one of the reasons' for her great success. Why is she so likable? Why are people drawn to her?
11. Oprah has lived as a poor person and a rich person. Discuss the class differences in Oprah's life.
12. How did Oprah go from a local success in Chicago to a national success?
13. Oprah sparked controversy in some sections of the African-American community when she did an all-white show in Forsyth County, Ga. Why?
14. How did Oprah finally take control of her own destiny?
15. Oprah, like millions of Americans, struggles with her weight. How has this struggle made her more "human" to her fans?
16. The Texas cattle industry sued Oprah because of her statements about mad cow disease. What is mad cow disease? How is it transmitted? Why did the cattle industry sue her?
17. Poet and author Maya Angelou is Oprah's mentor. What is a mentor? Do you have one?
18. Oprah is an American icon. What is an icon? Who else would you describe as an icon?

Extended Activities

1. Oprah's Book Club lists and discusses some of Oprah's favorite books. Create your own book club. You and a few friends each prepare a list of favorite books. Read the selections on each other's lists and discuss them.
2. Imagine that you have your own talk show. Prepare an interview with a politician, celebrity, author etc. If you have access to media equipment, tape your show for your class to see.
3. Oprah is a successful African-American woman. Create a mobile or poster that displays the name and/or work of other famous African-American women.