Oprah Winfrey’s last Oprah show on May 25, 2011 got huge ratings. While not a follower of the show, like millions of others I have nothing but admiration for the woman for her spirit, accomplishments, and the positive impact that she has had on people in their personal and professional lives. That admiration went up a notch when she acknowledged her Mississippi roots on her show finale. What she said was “I am truly amazed that I, who started out in rural Mississippi in 1954 when the vision for a black girl was limited to being either a maid or a teacher in a segregated school, could end up here.”
Oprah went on to surmise that, at some level, her early experience led her to seek the acceptance and love that millions all over the world gave her.
The reason for the heightened admiration was because I remember a time, granted decades ago, when on one occasion I did not acknowledge my home state, Mississippi. That happened when, one too many times, the reaction to the “where are you from” question was pity and surprise as soon as I said ‘Mississippi’. It was 1968, New York City. In response to the “where you come from” question, I answered “Norway.” That really got a stunned reaction. It was great, way better than pity! It also made me think about why I would tell such an obvious lie.
