Oprah exhibit captures media mogul as social liberator, humanitarian

The statue of Harpo Studios 

The statue of Harpo Studios

 By Mona Austin

In a time of vanishing compassion, the "Watching Oprah"  exhibit in Washington, DC will open on June 8 at the Smithsonian's African American Museum of History and Culture and will remain in residence for one year as  a proper reminder of the contributions media mogul Oprah Winfrey has made to American life.

Oprah Winfrey is a monument for emancipation. For a quarter of a century as host of the Oprah Winfrey show (the first black woman to stand in that role), Oprah was the "BFF" in almost every woman's head.  Smart, funny, authentic and intentional with every effort, she captivated viewers (and continues to on her own TV network -- OWN), nurturing some, healing others, by exposing real-life stories that emphasized the common joys and pains humans tend to share. 

Oprah. O. Ms. Winfrey. The multiple Emmy award-winning "Queen of Talk." Her name is not usually mentioned in the same conversation as other liberating humanitarians, such as Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Ghandi or Nelson Mandela.  Perhaps it should be.  As the exhibit reveals, Oprah has single-handedly led a fight for freedom of the mind, body and spirit, as well as equal rights, performing enormous philanthropic acts. Her life and legacy represent a type of positive impact that will sit her name among the world's great liberators in the public lexicon someday.  

Appearing on CBS This Morning with her friend Gayle King, Oprah said it finally hit her that "this is a big deal," remaining humble through her immeasurable success.

 Her ability to influence the way people view life has been dubbed the "O" factor.  On a wall in the exhibit, this magic is termed "Oprafication." 

"If it had not been for Oprah Winfrey where would millions of  Americans be?" I pondered as I previewed the artifacts.  Racial minorities, gays, families and women, in particular, are better because she exists.  At least some of the proof of how the "O Factor" manifested in American society is contained in 4,000 sg. ft. for Oprah to bare living witness to and all the world to see.

This is not an intro to an argumentative analysis of Oprah's significance or her brand, however.  Rather, it is written in homage to a rare heroine who has arrived at a place in her journey where monumental people belong -- in a museum.  She deserves it.

To visit the "Watching Oprah" exhibit download free tickets at www.naamac.com.  Plan to spend the day to experience the entire museum. Sup on culturally inspired dishes in the Sweet Home cafe while you are there.