Racism, Is It?
Evidently the iconic visage of Oprah Winfrey is not universally recognized, despite her star-celebrity status internationally, and her huge following. There appear to be some individuals of discriminating taste who have no idea who she is. And that lack of recognition appears to have led to some embarrassing moments for one unfortunate shop clerk, working at a prestigious Zurich, Switzerland boutique.
Just imagine, one of the wealthiest women on the planet, celebrated for her television programs to which ardent followers are riveted, a woman capable, due to the power of her reputation and wealth, of consorting with the most celebrated of other socialites, public figures, politicians, entertainers and the like, walking into an emporium for the filthy rich and being turned away from an object of her desire which, while expensive, would represent no burdensome financial outlay for her.
What is difficult to imagine, however, is anyone, even a woman reputed to have untold wealth, willingly parting with the stupendous sum of $38,000 for the ownership of a handbag. A black handbag, to be more concise. One which the unfortunate sales clerk at Trois Pommes, was reluctant to fetch for Oprah Winfrey's close scrutiny, believing it to be too expensive for her budget.
The innocent-enough clerk affecting, it might seem, not a racist attitude as is claimed by the news media, but a protectively empathetic one, informing the woman whose identity she had no idea of that she "will not be able to afford" the absurd pricetag. "She said: 'No, no, no, you don't want to see that one. You want to see this one. Because that one will cost too much; you will not be able to afford that'," Ms. Winfrey is quoting as having reported.
How to deduce from that seemingly well-meant and sympathetic statement that the woman was acting on a racist impulse?
"And I said, 'Well, I did really want to see that one.' And she refused to get it", said Ms. Winfrey, completing the narrative. Ms. Winfrey doesn't appear to be of the opinion in that extract that she was being racially slighted. Why might the press leap with glee on the exchange as evidence of racism? One could venture to say that the Swiss are surely far more cosmopolitan and moderate in their outlook than is implied in this story.
A simple misunderstanding. One for which Swiss tourism officials and the boutique owner felt they had little course but to obsequiously beg pardon.
Out of this story, however, there must surely be many people who feel that anyone who might entertain laying out such a stiff pricetag for a mere handbag in recognition of something as valueless as 'brand' must have a truly distorted sense of value betraying a truly debauched ethic. Perhaps, on the other hand, it represents a good deal; what if a high-priced vehicle was thrown in with it?
Pathetic.
Labels: Celebrity, Controversy, Prejudices, Values
posted by Pieface @ Sunday, August 11, 2013
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