@ 4:17, you are nothing but a not-so-smart person who generalizes black women,which is sad because YOU are black. It is so sad that there are many self-hating sellout black people and they include you. I am not fat AT ALL. Just because you are doesn't mean we are like that in general. Just because YOU don't take care of yourself and raised bad up kids doesn't mean all black women are like that. As a matter of fact, you most likely aren't even black.

Um... Dr Phil is a bald doctor!!

This is for "anonymous" (4:17 AM) who has ambivalent feelings about Oprah. There is no such word as "repoire". I believe you were trying to say "rapport". You should be careful to use "real" words, especially when you make statements about black people "raising children who cannot speak standard English". By the way, you should have said "rearing"
children. Animals are raised; children are reared. As one black person to the other, I do understand your comments, but always "dot your I's and cross your T's before accusing others of using "bad" English.

This situation reminds me of a song i once heard at a church function,called I'm going to another level,so that being said about Oprah vs.Rachel Ray,and as well as any racial issues in the future,Well,as for me i'm going to another level.

I don't deny that people make comments that are not very tactfull. And when you are in the public eye especially, these things will come back to haunt you. But I have to say that Oprah is an equally self obsorbed person as well. I thing that she has an ego problem and she often acts condecending to her guest on the show in very subtle way to give the impression that she is the big cheese and that she does not want to be upstaged by them.

I like to say first, thank you for all who responded to this article. I believe it is a privilege for me to read your thoughts and feelings. That being said: I am a black man married to a beautiful Puerto Rican woman. I experience racism and discrimination across the board from everyone.Do I feel that Rachal Ray made an racist statement, no. It was very ignorant and cowardly. She couldnt possibly know why the picture was there unless she asked Oprah herself(which she probably wouldnt have). Now lets be realistic people: WE ALL have made inapproiate statements before whether we were intoxicated or not. But lets not lie to ourselves in saying that racism is dead. In 2008 its a different kind of racism thats all. Also lets not forget there are alot of White and Latino people who not only have died for the sake of civil rights and equality but experience racism themselves today. But let me be crystal clear on this: Black America has experienced over 400 years of slavery and is still the most hated race in this country. Is that an excuse for black america to sell drugs, become criminals and blame this country fcr every little thing that happens to us? Absolutely not. We must work harder, think faster and be smarter everyday of our lives. And I wouldnt want to be any other race. I was born as a Black Man and will die a Black Man..to me its a gift. And all people of whatever race should look at themselves in that way. For all you people out there who just say "you people should get over it or we have a meal ticket cause of student loans or grants and we shouldnt complain about anything" ask yourselves this: we are those things in place? Why is affirmative action still necessary(I dont agree with it but it is absolutley neccessary to have it)? Fact is believe it or not there is and always will be racism. There will always be discrimination. The only thing WE ALL CAN DO is grow thicker skin.

7:29 says "Oprah has issues with the language in rap. She blasted Ludacris because she felt he's insulting to both men and women. I think that's part of the reason she doesn't put rap acts on the show." i also think that this is true. if rap just changed their content and focused on something more than sex, drugs, and money than maybe they'd have a chance on the show. Oprah's perogatives are to send a good message and inform people about things that relevant in society. not pimps, hoes, and drugs. today hip hop is dead. rap is no longer rap, there is no substance in what rappers say these days.

Rachael Ray is a BIG mouth; annoying individual -I can believe she drinks just by her mannerisms. Her entire show is giggle giggle and smile to herself, all indicative of a self-absorbed person. Her eeov and gb routine are played out. She did, however, seize an opportunity to get ahead (nobody can fault her there) Oprah is a loud mouth, annoying individual that self promotes. Whatever happened to "don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing" . Oprah is so busy letting the world know how generous she is that it makes her look, well, self absorbed, hmmm - could it be these two have much in common. Oprah also seized an opportunity to get ahead in life (again cannot fault her for that) We would all like to have had the opportunity to do exactly what these two have done, become successful financially. However, in doing so they have amassed many naysayers as well as fans. I for one change the channel when either of them is on - not a race issue - it is all about the human race issue. To each his own. Who cares if they had a war of words, they both have BIG MOUTHS and are only interested in themselves.

I am white and i feel ashamed to be white. Whats so great about it. When you are 17 you look 35. The only good thing is money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!what is that? Our fathers fathered most of the races. did not pay chid support and complain about blacks getting child welfare. make it seem like black women are ugly when they are by fare the prettiest race. they have a lot to deal with and i wish i was half as strong. after being repeatedly raped by most of our grandfathers and work all day for nothing, they should get the same if not more than indians. they were made to fight against indians it was no choice so indians get over this

It's true, to some degree, that most blacks have experienced racism in one form or another. The racism may not seem apparent because they may be
criticized for a character flaw that isn't necessarily racist but could be construed to be depending on how the criticism is delivered.

On the other hand, being an elderly white man is not without certain prejudices also. Who do you think would have a tougher time getting a job? A woman, a black person, or an elderly white male? The answer is the elderly white male because hiring one does not fill any quotas and is not looked at as socially unacceptable if refusing one for a job. Racism is alive and well and it's not necessarily the typical minorities that are the recipients of it.

It's amazing how much blacks in the US are so concerned with slavery which ended 140 years ago, and segregation which the nation has worked on for 40 years. There are more interracial dialogues and efforts to stop discrimination today than ever before- maybe in the history of the world inside the US. I am thrilled to see the number of interracial relationships (platonic and otherwise) today. 40 years ago this would be unthinkable. Just to think... so shouldn't the Jews hold slavery against the Egyptians, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Germans, Europeans, and Russians? The rest of the Mediterranean world against Italy for Roman conquering and rule? How about if the Iraqis, Turks, Egyptians, Iranians, and Israelis hold a grudge against Greece for their conquering and killing? What I mean is black Americans need to start looking ahead. We've been looking back for too long.

Okay we talk about Oprah, but what about Brad Pitt or Angelina. They were insulted; last time I checked they were not afro-american. I am not sure that this is racist statement. Rather just bad comments about other famous people. If you mention slave in reference to an afro-american everyone considers it racist. I would remind folks that just as bad as slavery was the indentured servant's lot. Often those people were treated as slaves. "whereever you find slavery you first find indentures."

"indentured servants were basically slaves and the courts enforced the laws that made it so. The treatment of the servant was harsh and often brutal. In fact, the Virginia Colony prescribed "bodily punishment for not heeding the commands of the master." (Ballagh, 45) Half the servants died in the first two years. As a result of this type of treatment, runaways were frequent."

By the way indentures were generally white folk sold either to clear a debt, cover a criminal penalty or looking for a way to survive. We have come a long way since the 1600's. Unfortunately slavery still exists in this country. I have a feeling the majority of those are white or hispanic. By making this an issue not only does it create dissention among amerericans it also brings about the very racism we want to put behind us. RR's comments aren't nearly as bad as the Reverend Wrigtt's. Frankly I think he is the racist. By the way why is it whites are racist, but not afro-american's or hispanics?

Well, I feel that Oprah is too much of a lady to let that
nonsense get to her.Rachael was drunk and crazy.But if she did
mean that,"What goes around comes around."GOD won't let her
off the hook.After all that Oprah has done for her.She ought
to be ashamed of herself.

To the responders who talk "slavery ending 140 years ago" implying that people are needlessly holding a grudge in present day:

Slavery may be over, but we are still feeling the consequences of racial discrimination that really was brought out then. Hollywood portrays Nazi's and their hate crimes in so many different ways, but fails to really remind us often that America was just as horrible in its day. Today, what remains of slavery is racial discrimination and discrepancies it just is much more hidden.

When white people open their mouths to talk about other races in a potentially controversial way, they should mind their words. To the responders who don't seem to understand this, you should realize that their still exists racial inequality and discrimination in this world- white people don't know this because they don't deal with this day to day.

Black people may be quick to accuse racists but wouldn't you be if every day you dealt with the kind of racist crap America still endorses? In the end, just look at the statistics: black people are poorer, have worse jobs, get paid less for those worse jobs, get less education, less opportunity, get worse health care, and die earlier. This alone should let you white responders in on the reason why Blacks KNOW that Racism (i.e. the effects of slavery 140 years ago) exists still today, and more importantly that we all need to keep it in check.

Rachel Ray is a celebrity (even though many people would say she doesn't deserve it). What she (or any other celebrity for that matter) says in public/does in public, more importantly, how we as a country react to what she says/does echoes to what is right/wrong acceptable/unacceptable to us all. This is why we concentrate on it so much.

Otherwise, you wouldn't even be reading this article or even these responses this very minute, would you?

Hmmmmmmm... I don't like Oprah from the start so I would have to agree with Rachael Ray. Although this happening years ago people must be getting pretty bored with theirselves and just decide to say everything they hear. To me It was Rachael's opinion, Oprah im sure has many opinions on things that isn't right. I do love Rachael very much but im afraid the fame has gone to her head somewhat and its very shameful indeed. I'm just not so sure what is so racial about what she said.