Jada Pinkett Smith horrified by US values - Page 2

SVZ · July 22nd, 2006, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dragonlady

I feel like her point was perhaps that there are children in Africa who value the chance to get an education more than many Americans do. The kids who share books are thankful for their scarce resources, while many (not all) people in the US take access to education for granted and thus don't appreciate it that much. I don't think she was saying America should be more like Africa, but rather we don't really appreciate some of the things we have that people in other nations often don't even have the choice to have. That might not be what she's trying to say, but that's what I came away from it with; it is a good point to make.

It is a good point to make but she didn't articulate well.

But also, in the states it doesn't really matter if you have a great education. You still have oppurtunities, heck you can work at McDonald's for minimum wage the rest of your life. There's unemployment, there's a lot of people to help you. Sure some people fall through the net, but chances aren't in favor of you starving on a dirt road somewhere.

Delphinium · July 22nd, 2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SVZ

"I've gone to Africa where kids go to school and share one textbook, (I've met) kids that are walking three miles to school, three miles home because education is valued. What do we value? Nothing."

Maybe because the average child that your publicist sent you to visit is unfortunately poor. What about the kids that get taken in to child armies? It's not like guns don't exist in "Africa" this magical utopia where everything is valued.

i note she didn't immediately use her entire fortune to build schools for africans. or even schools for poor african-americans! think of how many upscale schools she could build with the paycheck from just one movie. what a jerk!

DirtyPool · July 22nd, 2006, 06:54 PM

she's using her celebrity status to bring awareness. I still say dumbass for thinking that her opinion means anything outside of her house. I would listen to a nobody regular joe before i would listen to anything a celebrity had to say- unless its about animal abuse then i just start crying on the spot no matter who is saying what.

firecrotch · July 22nd, 2006, 09:16 PM

Next thing you know, Jada will use her celebrity status to advocate for forgiving third world debt. Clearly the issues facing African nations are too numerous and complicated for her to even begin proselytizing after a three-hour tour.

Palermo · July 22nd, 2006, 09:32 PM

I guess her bodyguards don't carry weapons then.

Delphinium · July 22nd, 2006, 09:45 PM

Jada, celebrity spokeswoman for 3rd world superiority because they like school.

pacific breeze · July 22nd, 2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DirtyPool

she's using her celebrity status to bring awareness. I still say dumbass for thinking that her opinion means anything outside of her house. I would listen to a nobody regular joe before i would listen to anything a celebrity had to say- unless its about animal abuse then i just start crying on the spot no matter who is saying what.

Your signature above your avatar made me laugh, DP.

KandyKorn · July 22nd, 2006, 10:24 PM

I guess Africa is 'the place' to go these days if you want to be popular in Hollywood. She makes a good point about America not appreciating the things we have but can we gain any perspective from any other countries? It's almost like it's cool to jump on the Jolie bandwagon.

WickedHo · July 25th, 2006, 04:36 PM

All she said is that Africans value education, whereas Americans take it for granted. What is there for any of you to get uppity about? She ain't lying, it's a fact. This country is full of dumbasses who are happy as fuck to remain stupid. The US is FULL of people who don't read and don't care to learn about anything ever.

The WICKED WISDOM frontwoman and her actor/rapper husband WILL SMITH have travelled to Africa on several occasions for charity work and have been humbled by citizens' appreciation of the basic things in life - like education.

The Smiths will fund and appear at CHARLES 'CHARLIE MACK' ALSTON's annual Party 4 Peace in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania this weekend (22-23JUL05), which aims to raise awareness of street crime.

"I always get interested in (Alston's) community endeavors. This is a passion that he and I have always shared as far as trying to find ways to solve the issue of violence in our communities."

2003pinkpoodle · July 25th, 2006, 04:43 PM

I think most of you are missing the point...she has a point...there is a lot of violence on the streets now a days and it is about time someone spoke on it...I agree with Jada...American's dont value SHIT....we didn't give a fuck about our people stranded and practically left for dead in New Orleans/Miss etc....we dont rally around our troops in Iraq...we dont value shit but GOSSIP....she went the long way around the point....but in the end you get the picture as to what she is saying...I myself have been to africa...the Dominican republic etc....so i have seen first hand what she is referring to...and it is a very humbling experience....take a trip to a 3rd world county before you devalue what humanitarians are saying...

WickedHo · July 25th, 2006, 04:46 PM

ETA: It ain't like she's saying there's no gun violence in Africa. She's talking about TWO COMPLETELY DIFFERENT SUBJECTS: gun violence and education. Our values in the US are fucked up, that's why we're so violent. Whereas in Africa, basic human needs aren't always met, so people have a greater appreciation for them (you know, clean water, electricity, education). And guess what: it's that extreme poverty that leads to nine-yr-olds with rifles. But that isn't to say that every 9yr old kid in Africa is walking around with a gun, which is what some of you seem to imply. And I find that just as offensive as you find Jada's comments.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2003pinkpoodle

take a trip to a 3rd world county before you devalue what humanitarians are saying...

Word. Thank you, pinkpoodle. *bows*

Voodoo Child · July 25th, 2006, 05:36 PM

I get her point. I guess it is hard to get your point across if your not drop dead gorgeous or classed as one of the most beautiful women in Hollywood.

FemX · July 25th, 2006, 05:39 PM

When will these people think before opening their mouths

Elisa · July 25th, 2006, 10:57 PM

I think she has a very valid point, though I don't think it's just an 'epidemic' in the US. The whole world is going to hell right now!

SlimandSexxy · July 27th, 2006, 11:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grope For Luna

Take a trip to Lagos and she'll change her tune.

Excuse me, WTF?!?!?!?!!?! You must have your African countries and cities all mixed up!!! Lagos ain't nothing like what she said, but how would you know, as long as it is some place in Africa that you can think of, you spit it out.

I doubt you even know where Lagos is or what it's like. Please educate yourself before spewing forth garbage, thanks.

And yes, Jada does make a good point, if only we would sit back for a minute and take off our sometimes overly insensitive and snarky colored glasses and see where she's coming from, but whatever.

That Lagos comment really rubbed me the wrong way, little wonder a lot of people who didn't grow up here find Americans to be very ignorant....sheesh!!!.