Oprah recently built a school called the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in a town called Henly-on-Klip, 40 miles outside Johannesburg, South Africa, according to Newsweek. Included in this school will be a yoga studio, beauty salon, indoor/outdoor theaters and large fireplaces in every building. There are also hand-picked china dishes, mattresses, uniforms and oversized closets, as well as plenty of tribal art and bright colors to decorate the walls. “These girls deserve to be surrounded by beauty, and beauty does inspire,” Oprah said.

And the price tag on this beauty?

It amounts to about $40 million. Fortunately, anyone accepted into Oprah’s school is exempt from any tuition or education expenses. The South African government had planned to help in the beginning but pulled out, claiming the school was “too elitist and lavish for such a poor country,” according to Newsweek.

Oprah, however, has taken no notice of her critics, and instead, has asked local South African tribes to recommend or nominate girls who show leadership qualities or potential. More than 3,500 girls applied; however, the school only had 152 places available to offer.

Oprah relays the message that children are the future, but does that future also include visions of desirable wealth, western ideals of materialism and knowledge of status power? Does Oprah hope the girls accepted will grow to become international stars or famous leaders who will wipe out all poverty and strife in Africa?

“I wanted to take girls with that ‘it’ quality and give them an opportunity to make a difference in the world,” Oprah said.

But what about those many girls who don’t have the “it” quality Oprah is diligently searching for, and instead, are ordinary girls who only have a desire to learn, as well as better themselves and their lives? What about those girls who aren’t as outspoken or persistent as Oprah would like, and don’t know how to distinguish themselves from the thousands of others? Some girls will be privileged, while others will be left behind, forever knowing only poverty and despondency.

Also, there is the question of spending so much money on the school, yet there are so few spots available for placement. For $40 million, do those African girls really need a yoga studio? Of course, these girls must look at everything Oprah offers in the school with wide-eyed appreciation and delight, which they too can be worthy enough to possess; in contrast, most children in America take for granted the little luxuries they have and are provided with. But Oprah is building her school with an Americanized “eye.” These chosen girls are so young, yet they are already noticing the grandeur and possibility of accumulation that is materialism. Couldn’t at least some money be spent on making more rooms available so there are more chances for an “it” quality girl to be accepted? Children are the future and deserve the best, but the best of education available to as many as possible should be the top priority.

Now, building a school is a fine achievement, especially in a poor country such as South Africa, where education is but a luxury. Building a $40 million school in Africa, however, with such a low acceptance rate, questionable acceptance qualifications and facilities that seem too frivolous and extravagant for such young girls is a bit overgenerous. Of course, it is very commendable of Oprah to get actively and directly involved with poor African girls and be generously giving with her wealth. She has plenty of desire, passion and vigor when it comes to altruistic donations and working to provide better lives for underprivileged people. But when young girls are suddenly thrust into Oprah’s ostentatious and wealthy charity, she has as much the same chance of producing spoiled, visionless consumers obsessed with material wealth and portentous status as grounded, sensible, and intelligent leaders and activists.

But, on the other hand, perhaps it is wise to observe that at least Oprah is taking charge of her vision and doing something productive with all her wealth and power. Her dignified disregard of other’s disapproval shows that she won’t let her critics, or anyone else, stop her from fulfilling hers and the African girl’s dream.

Ylona Cupryjak is a sophomore theatre major from Keller.