Oprah Winfrey’s newest project, featured on an ABC primetime special this past Monday, is The Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls, a $40 million, 52-acre, 28-building, state-of-the-art independent school promoting academic achievement for girls living near Johannesburg, South Africa. When asked why she chose to construct her “dream school” in Africa, she replied: “There’s no better place than Africa because the sense of need, the sense of value for education and the appreciation for it could not be greater.”

I can think of a better place: the United States of America.

Oprah is no stranger to educational philanthropy in this country, already giving millions to inner-city schools throughout the nation. But when asked by Newsweek to justify why she was building a school in Africa rather than the United States, she explained that the situations are different. South Africa’s problems, she explained, lie within its desperate poverty and primitive educational infrastructure. And while the American system has glaring problems, ultimately, “it does work.”

But Oprah wouldn’t be Oprah without editorializing: “I became so frustrated with visiting inner-city schools that I just stopped going. The sense that you need to learn just isn’t there. If you ask the kids what they want or need, they will say an iPod or some sneakers. In South Africa, they don’t ask for money or toys. They ask for uniforms so they can go to school.”

Let me respond by first clarifying that all students, myself included, adore iPods and sneakers, but that such materialistic desires hardly constitute a reason to denigrate an entire demographic. And while nobody can directly criticize her generous contribution to humanity, the gesture doesn’t make her a saint. Her motivation is truly cosmopolitan, but it’s almost too much so. I’m guessing that Oprah is one of those “bigger picture people”; but in this case, she’s neglected the blemish in her corner of the canvas in favor of the overall painting. And while she’s beginning to paint a beautiful portrait, the blotch is still there, and I can’t help but notice it.

I’m speculating that Oprah’s comments on the U.S. educational problems stem from frustration; after all, she’s spent millions of her own earnings in seemingly futile attempts to reinvigorate inner-city schools. But sitting in Oakland High School a few weeks ago, I met students who, contrary to Oprah’s categorization, sincerely wanted to learn. There are students who fail to appreciate education’s benefits and who make learning in these schools difficult. I was looking for them—but they weren’t there.

Our country is succumbing to educational inequity along socioeconomic and racial lines. These disparities severely limit the prospects of the 13 million children currently living in poverty. Studies show that by the time these children are nine, they’re already three grades behind their peers. Fewer than 7 million will graduate from high school, and those who do test at an eighth grade level. There is an education gap in this country, and it’s growing.

The truth is these problems won’t be remedied by a state-of-the-art all-girls leadership school, even one built by Oprah Winfrey. Oprah’s statement was most disturbing because it reflected our nation’s tendency to attribute failure to an unsubstantiated cause, changing the discourse. We have become jaded by the broken public school system, but instead of addressing the problems we’ve chosen to overlook it in favor of more “relevant” matters. And while Wolf Blitzer talks Anna Nicole, students in this country learn without updated textbooks or adequate lighting.

While the situation is daunting, there is hope: By coupling our reinvigorated faith in our school system with high educational standards for both teachers and students, we can create a level playing field for all children. It’s a matter of principle: If we truly believe that America is the land of opportunity and everyone deserves to have a fundamental education to live enriched lives, then it’s about time we start putting our money where our mouths are.

It’s too bad Oakland High School doesn’t have connections with major television networks. Oprah’s highly publicized school is inspirational, but the more compelling story is currently occurring everyday as determined students who defy convention and struggle against great odds and decrepit conditions towards their greater goals. Not for iPods and sneakers, but their futures.

(This is my weekly column that appeared in the Daily Californian. You can also read it here)