Oprah vs. 50 Cent

Remember a few years ago when Charles Barkley said he was not trying to be anyone's role model? Yet many people thought that he had that responsibility. Oprah has been lambasted for not supporting hip-hop culture (though apparently she does like Beyonce). Last week rapper 50 cent called Oprah an "oreo". (For anyone who may be unfamiliar with the term, it means black on the outside - white on the inside, and it is NOT a compliment.)

He also said that while she was black years ago when she started out, she's been a middle aged white lady for some time now. Bill Cosby has gotten in trouble for "airing the dirty laundry," or telling the family business. The Dixie Chicks were vilified for making remarks about the president to foreigners. They were called traitors. These are not unsimilar issues. They were all criticized for not living up to what other people thought they were obligated to represent.