Oprah Winfrey Blasts Ferguson, NYC Protests For ‘Lack Of Leadership’
Oprah Winfrey is not impressed by the efforts to protest Michael Brown and Eric Garner following the Ferguson shooting and the NYPD murder of Garner for selling loose cigarettes.
In fact, she thinks that, thus far, the efforts have shown a lack of leadership.
Promoting her movie Selma this week, and comparing the efforts of ’60s civil rights leaders with those at work today, she had this to say.
“It’s wonderful to march and to protest and it’s wonderful to see all across the country people doing it, but what I am really looking for is some type of leadership to come out of this to say, ‘This is what we want. This is what has to change, and these are the steps that we need to take to make these changes, and this is what we’re willing to do to get it.'”
Oprah also noted that the protesters in Ferguson and NYC need to exhibit “strategic, peaceful intention,” Mediaite reports.
Many on Twitter were unhappy with the comments of Oprah Winfrey, taking offense at the characterization of a lack of leadership.
@ttlefght @ComplexMag @ShaunKing @deray I dont wanna speak for her but I took it as the movement needs a “face” not leader. Poor wording imo
— Jojo (@LEGENDARYJOJO) January 2, 2015
@ComplexMag the last “leader” we had was assassinated by OUR GOV’T!! GTFOH with that Oprah, we have a purpose and we’re all leading.
— RiRiTaughtMe (@rayy4president) January 3, 2015
@ComplexMag clearly Oprah hasn’t been paying attention. The protests have been uninterrupted for nearly half a year now.
— Rule the U.S. (@ruletheus) January 3, 2015
@ComplexMag Tell Oprah that We can’t swallow pride through no f****n’ noose……. pic.twitter.com/GQPJqWqUPE
— Marland X (@Marland_X) January 3, 2015
Clearly, Oprah is sympathetic to the cause of Michael Brown and Eric Garner supporters, but she doesn’t think what is being done is very effective.
Indeed, police officers have been able to push back on protesters in both cases — first with evidence that clearly supported Officer Darren Wilson’s story in the Michael Brown shooting, and later in the narrative that irate protests influenced the cold-blooded executions of two NYPD police officers.
The criticisms directed at protesters have managed to win back police support on an issue that continues to be contentious for U.S. citizens.
But what do you think, readers? Are comments like those of Oprah Winfrey correct in stating that there is a clear lack of leadership on the part of protesters?
[Image via Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com]
