Oprah, yeah you're black, but you're not above it 'cause of your money

Halle & Oprah
Originally uploaded by Phalanx.

Of course I'm late on this one, 'cause I don't have the time like I used to have to seek out these kind of inane stories. But WAAAY back in June, Oprah Winfery -- arguably the riches Black woman EVER -- was snubbed at the tres chich boutique Hermes in Paris.

There has been talk that it was because Oprah was Black... that's a possibility, however extremely unlikely, as in Paris if you are noticeably an American Black, you'll get much love. If you come up to any place nice looking like you're from Senegal or some other African country -- expect the same kind of treatment white Americans give Mexicans.

Here's a recap of the incident.
Fashionistas and social commentators alike are watching developments as they unfold surrounding Oprah Winfrey's apparent snub at the exclusive Hermès luxury store in Paris on June 14.

The big question: Was Oprah's rejection from the store racially motivated by the Hermès staff, or was she simply turned away because the store had just closed? Number one Oprah is VERY recognizable -- across the globe, so such a racial snub I just don't think would happen.

Winfrey, 51, apparently stopped by Hermès to purchase a watch for Tina Turner before the two had dinner. Though the store had closed about 15 minutes before, Winfrey and three friends – who saw shoppers inside the store – reportedly asked to be let in, only to be rebuffed.

Hermès – which has branches throughout the United States – said in a statement that it "regrets not having been able to welcome" Winfrey to the store, but that "a private public relations event was being prepared inside." Sounds like a convenient excuse -- and maybe that's exactly what it is... but we will ever know?

Winfrey believes the store's staff had identified her, according to a spokeswoman from her Chicago-based company, Harpo Production Inc. According to Winfrey's rep, the talk show queen asked if she could just run in and buy the watch, but was snubbed by a clerk and a manager. Winfrey's friend, Gayle King, who was in Paris with the media queen, told Entertainment Tonight, "I saw it, and it was really, really very bad," then added: "Oprah describes it herself as one of the most humiliating moments of her life." Now this is the part that trips me the fuck out, and where I have no sympathy for the woman! Oprah lives in a gilded life where everyone does for her what ever the fuck she wants -- no questions asked. And Paris, as we all know, loves to rebuke Americans, especially celebrities who think they own the world and can do whatever with impunity. Parisian are probably sick to death of so-called wealthy or celebrity Americans coming over and expecting the red carpet treatment IN A FOREIGN COUNTRY just because they are treated like royality in the most hypocritical country of them all.


Hermès says their version of the story is all documented on a store videotape, although they are not currently releasing it to the press.
This tape could show Oprah being a straight bitch, acting like her money can buy the stink off her shit.

Harpo says Winfrey plans to discuss the incident in the context of race relations on her highly influential show when it returns to the air this fall. Should she call for a boycott of Hermès, the effects could be highly damaging – though it has also been suggested that viewers of Oprah's show aren't really in the market for $6,000 handbags.

Winfrey has often plugged Hermès products – a $135 tea cup and saucer was featured in her magazine in 2001 and was still on her Web site Tuesday, along with the company's phone number, reports the Associated Press. But she has said she will no longer be shopping in its stores.
She'll go back once the whole thing gets taken care off, and notice how it doesn't say that she would refuse any gift from Hermes -- so maybe Tina Turner can do all the shopping for her?"