Oprah hosts two-night special about racism and the state of the nation

Mercury News ^ | June 9, 2020 at 10:08 a.m. | CHUCK BARNEY

[E. Pluribus Unum]

In response to the continuing protests over tragic murder of George Floyd, Oprah Winfrey is hosting a two-night event in which she speaks with black leaders, activists and artists about systematic racism and the current state of America.

“OWN Spotlight: Where Do We Go From Here?” airs at 9 p.m. tonight and tomorrow (June 9-10) on OWN. It will also be simulcast across all of Discovery’s 18 other U.S. networks.

“I’ve been having private conversations with friends and thought leaders about what’s next and where we go from here,” Winfrey said in a statement. “I thought it would be both of interest and service to bring their ideas, concerns and comments into a national spotlight.”

Participants in the special include Ava DuVernay, Stacey Abrams, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Nikole Hannah-Jones, Rashad Robinson, Ibram Kendi, Rev. Dr. William J. Barber II, Jennifer Eberhardt, David Oyelowo and Charles M. Blow.

Winfrey and producers promise in-depth conversations offering “insight and tangible plans” to answer the questions “What matters now?” “What matters next?” and “Where do we go from here?”

The program will stream for free on the Watch OWN and Discovery Family TVE apps, as well as OWN’s Youtube, Facebook and Instagram channels — Also on tap tonight is a special anchored by one of Winfrey’s good pals, Gayle King. “Justice for All” airs at 9 p.m. on CBS. It’s an hourlong program that explores how this tragic confrontation ignited a movement demanding an end to the painful history of systemic racism and brutality in police departments across the country.

The special will feature reporting from a team of CBS News journalists and will also be available on CBSN, CBS News’ 24/7 digital streaming news service. In addition, BET will simulcast it.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Oprah Winfrey, the oppressed billionaire.

[Rurudyne]

When you’ve got time to be oppressed by street names and statues you aren’t being oppressed.

[linear]

Basically a giant Biden campaign commercial.

[shoff]

Orcha Windfree? didn’t Sea World set her free with Willy?

[dead]

I’d rather watch Yoko Ono on the Teletubbies dubbed in Russian. Colorized.

[smvoice]

“thought leaders”... There’s the first problem they’re having

[BenLurkin]

I feel sorry for anyone who thinks they need to watch that crpp

[euram]

I’ve always wondered what a black woman billionaire had to say about how she’s oppressed and discriminated against. I hope few watch this black 3 ring circus.

[Trump Girl Kit Cat]

Like Oprah knows ANYTHING about racism GIVE ME A DAMN BREAK!!

[\/\/ayne]

"You get a new brick! And you get a new brick! And you get a crowbar! And you get a frozen water bottle to throw!"

[Vendome]

Take all the racist in America and put them on a school bus.

Well, a short bus because there just aren’t enough of them to identified....

[plain talk]

“I’d rather watch Yoko Ono on the Teletubbies dubbed in Russian. Colorized.”

Watch? Yes. Listen? I’d have to go with Oprah.

[hanamizu]

“I’ve been having private conversations with friends and thought leaders...”

---

What is a “thought leader”?

[Sans-Culotte]

Winfrey and producers promise in-depth conversations offering “insight and tangible plans” to answer the questions “What matters now?” “What matters next?” and “Where do we go from here?”

I have been seeing commercials for this, which runs on ALL Discovery® channels. One topic that Oprah reads on the commercial and is left out of the excerpt is "what are our demands?".

[Hambone 1934]

Oprah......Has townhall over all the black on black crime in chicago

Oprah.....Has townhall regarding the 20 million dead black babies from abortion and why the need for the pro-aborts to slaughter the blacks race...

Oprah....Ha townhall why racist dems never get nailed for their past racism

Can’t wait until those townhalls come along....

[rightwingintelligentsia]

Sorry, Orca; I think I’ll stick with TCM tonight. They’re showing Kong’s Row, one of my favorite Ronald Reagan movies.

[MortMan]

A thought leader is someone who says out loud exactly what you want them to, silly.

[Zathras]

I de-listed (5 years ago) OWN from my tv channel list along with the Gay Channel, QVC and anything related to PMSNBC.
My life is much more fulfilling now.

[meowmeow]

Someone post the picture of her pawning off a terrified starlet to harvey Weinstein...

[Dilbert San Diego]

Oprah and friends spewing forth liberal pablum.

I apologize in advance if this event turns out to be a constructive dialogue.

We will all see what they say. I have no desire to watch. I will hear the highlights later.

I get the impression, that when liberal types say we want a “national conversation on (fill in the blank subject)”, that it ends up endorsing the liberal view, and any other views are attacked as racist/sexist/bigoted in some way.