Opinion: Oprah Winfrey's "Big Give" Promotes Troubling View of Philanthropy

February 29, 2008

Opinion: Oprah Winfrey's "Big Give" Promotes Troubling View of Philanthropy

Despite the charitable intentions of Oprah Winfrey’s much-anticipated reality show Oprah’s Big Give, several columnists across the country are skeptical about Ms. Winfrey’s latest venture.

Big Give, which premieres this Sunday on ABC features eight episodes in which 10 contestants compete to “change the lives of complete strangers in the most creative and dramatic ways” in different locations across the country.

Competitors are given a picture and a name of a stranger in need and then must decide, in teams of two, how to “make a real difference” for that person. At the end of each week, a panel of celebrity judges eliminates one group. A $1-million prize awaits the show’s winner.

Robert Bianco of USA Today says contestants would “be better served by advice from people with hands-on experience in raising money without the benefit of celebrity. “

Mr. Bianco says that the show’s reality format clearly “turns charity into a competitive sport” and lends little attention to the underlying issues that may be affecting those in need. “Give is a throwback to a time when the poor were expected to be grateful for whatever they were given,” he writes. “Seldom has the drive to do good works been as alarmingly, offensively presumptuous.”

A critic for the Mercury News, in San Jose, was more positive about the show. “You’ll find plenty of heartwarming stories and feel-good moments in Oprah’s Big Give, writes Chuck Barney.

Read The Chronicle’s article about the rise of reality television and see Oprah Winfrey’s ranking in the Philanthropy 50, our annual list of the donors who give the most to charity each year.)

Comments

i THANK GOD FOR THIS WOMAN AND THE MANY OTHERS THAT TAKE A STAND TO BE THE DIFFERENCE ON THIS PLANET

— Earl L. Gardner Feb 29, 09:44 PM #
Oprah already got her reward here on earth. All of her fame and wealth. The example of giving that pointed out by Jesus in the bible about the widow that gave from her heart and all that she got,even it was very small but Jesus said it was more than the rich man that gave to show off. The true mercy no one has to know. God is the judge.

— Joy Rogers Mar 1, 02:31 AM #
Oprah knows a good business venture when she sees it – Ratings are the bottom line I think in this case! But then that’s TV…

— Robert Ginn Mar 1, 09:44 AM #
I think it’s great to see a reality TV show where people compete to be the biggest giver. It makes for great Tv and will probably inspire millions. Let Oprah have her fun.

— Jalic Mar 1, 09:56 AM #
I am so sick and tired of “reality television” Everything has become a competition, where survival of the most connivining wins. No one gets by on merit anymore, it’s who’s the most popular or gets the most votes. Hard work and talent doesn’t matter anymore.

— Pat Ellis Mar 2, 08:30 AM #
I love it. Anything with a good intention is always overly critized by someone. This is why people just stay home and don’t bother. I appreciate a company donating and creating excitement around it. I hope this helps more people recognize the difference they can make.

— Sam Mar 3, 09:39 AM #
You simply cannot please everyone. In an era where our economy is slipping towards a recession, the housing market is horrendous, investments are in jeopardy, and unemployment rates are high, critics are complaining about a show that promotes philanthropy? Regardless of motive, the show will inspire millions of people to give back. True fundraisers know that people give when they are asked, motivated, and their interest align with the cause. This show appears to have all of those elements, in addition to the exposure associated with Oprah. Stop complaining and do what she’s doing!

— Jamon Mar 3, 09:55 AM #
I agree with the critique that this is exploitative. If it were about doing good they’d make the advertisers put that million dollars to actual good use, and create an endowment for a an actual professionally run charity. This show will “Help” ten people and give one person a million dollars, how is that “doing good”. Its not. Its television and it’ll make some already rich people even richer, while the contestants and their projects trade away their dignity for some time on TV.

— Sean Mar 3, 10:24 AM #
oprah’s de-mystifying charity and making is a less holier-than-thou, accessible and understandable.

— sandra dee Mar 3, 12:42 PM #
how can teaching the world to give, be a bad thing.

— Elle Mar 3, 06:43 PM #
I think this criticism is well-founded. This is certainly an example of Oprah’s bias to philanthropy as a spectacle and marketing effort rather than what I would call “true” philanthropy – doing the most good in the smartest way possible. I would concede that she also has projects which fall under “true” philanthropy. However, the ones we tend to hear about and the ones others hold up as “models” and “inspirations” are the spectacles. I would contend this almost makes philanthropy seem out of reach for those that are not fabulously wealthy like Oprah…hardly a model I want passed around.

— dani Mar 4, 12:45 PM #
Oprah is a angel from up above. Although everyone has faults and are not the way that person is thinking we should be, I feel Oprah is being who God wants her to be. Not every dream comes true for every person because if it did this world would clash. God gives those who he knows can handle it and Oprah is handling hers the right way. Oprah is giving, that is why she keeps recieving.

— Beverly Mar 9, 01:36 PM #
Teaching the world to give is a bad thing when it perpetuates a myth that the only way out of poverty in the U.S. is and should be to “struggle against the odds” or to “win the lottery” by having Oprah and Extreme Home Makeover descend upon you.

Rather than asking us to put in place systems that strengthen poor communities and neighborhoods, we pull a few lucky winners out of the community, leaving the rest behind. It leaves the hundreds or thousands of families left behind feeling abandoned. It keeps everyone locked in a view of poor communities as throwaway places that we should help individuals escape, rather than as places with potential that just need resources and assistance.

It’s charity, not philanthropy. It makes you feel better without asking you to accept responsibility for dealing with the community and systemic issues.

— Emily Mar 13, 06:15 PM #

Commenting is closed for this article.

Previous: Opinion: IRS Scrutiny of Sen. Obama's Church Is Problem for All Charities
Next: Bush Presidential Library Hasn't Decided Whether to Disclose Donor Names