Paula Deen's use of the "N"-Word

[ThetaPrincess24]

I'm not sure I would call her a racist at this point, as I do think it's what is in the heart that determines if someone is racist or not, but what I find troubling is her comment about not really knowing what offends people.

She may be from a different generation, but this is not the 50's or 60's. It is 2013. Unless she has lived her life in a bubble, I'm not sure how she can not know that word would not be offensive, regardless in my opinion, of where you are from in the U.S.

I posted that on my Facebook yesterday. I never called her a racist, just that I did not understand how she could make such a comment about not knowing what offends people. Someone else argued the point, and I've left it where it is as it was obvious she didn't read the article.

I'm not sure if it will hurt her empire. I think it took a bit of a hit last year or so when the diabetes scandal came out. This certainly would not be positive PR for her.

[sigmadiva]

She may, or may not, be a racist in the true sense of the word. But, she is definitely insensitive.

Not a smart move when you own a multi-million dollar company.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Looks like she is a no-show for the Today Show:

http://www.lex18.com/news/embattled-...WG1y54.twitter

[TonyB06]

I’ve been a Paula Deen fan for several years, so this is perplexing for me because it presents a side of her (if real) that would turn me off. I’m not generally a fan of excusing free-thinking people who hold horrid opinions simply because they were once the product of a certain culture, particularly, when they trade on their public personality/demeanor (and its origins) to advance their “brand” in the public space.

Ultimately the public will decide if she remains or falls based on this. I'll watch for her response, as will a lot of people who have previously appreciated her work.

[Sciencewoman]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

Unless she has lived her life in a bubble,

Wasn't she an agoraphobe who didn't leave her house for many years?

[maconmagnolia]

Originally Posted by ThetaPrincess24

I'm not sure I would call her a racist at this point, as I do think it's what is in the heart that determines if someone is racist or not, but what I find troubling is her comment about not really knowing what offends people.

She may be from a different generation, but this is not the 50's or 60's. It is 2013. Unless she has lived her life in a bubble, I'm not sure how she can not know that word would not be offensive, regardless in my opinion, of where you are from in the U.S.

I posted that on my Facebook yesterday. I never called her a racist, just that I did not understand how she could make such a comment about not knowing what offends people. Someone else argued the point, and I've left it where it is as it was obvious she didn't read the article.

From what I've gathered, though, she said it a longgg time ago. Not in 2013.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

I'm sort of in awe of the Paula Deen witch hunt going on... Seriously..because Paula Deen is the only public figure to have ever said that word..like ever. At least she has tje balls to admit saying it and the error of it.

I'm sure the people throwing the stones have never uttered that word either.

For clarifications sake I'm not saying what she said 30 years ago was ok or should be glossed over but this public crucifiction is a little ridic.

Originally Posted by maconmagnolia

My opinion, which is probably an unpopular one: Past doesn't equal present. She admitted her mistake and apologized for it. I really don't see any issue anymore.. Honestly, at the time she used the word, she probably didn't know any better. She was born during a different time period.. That's how people spoke back then, as bad as that is. If she said it thirty years ago and hasn't said it since (which is what I've gathered, someone can tell me if I'm wrong), then props to her for apologizing. Unfortunately for her, she would have been better off never admitting it. If she's still saying it today.. well, that's a different issue.

Originally Posted by maconmagnolia

From what I've gathered, though, she said it a longgg time ago. Not in 2013.

This whole thing was brought to light for a deposition where the plaintiff (who is a former employee) alleges that this was ongoing.

http://gawker.com/5890872/lawsuit-cl...ey-temple-days

In one such incident, Jackson alleges that Paula said the following while planning Bubba's wedding:

Well what I would really like is a bunch of little n***ers to wear long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties, you know in the Shirley Temple days, they used to tap dance around. Now, that would be a true Southern wedding wouldn't it? But we can't do that because the media would be on me about that.

See also:
http://gawker.com/paula-deen-says-of...word-514272160

In her deposition, Deen acknowledges that the discussion took place, but denies using a racial slur.

Bubba got married in 2007.

For me, it's about much more than the use of the word. She's either racist or stupid. Or both.

[PiKA2001]

Originally Posted by agzg

This whole thing was brought to light for a deposition where the plaintiff (who is a former employee) alleges that this was ongoing.

http://gawker.com/5890872/lawsuit-cl...ey-temple-days


See also:
http://gawker.com/paula-deen-says-of...word-514272160


For me, it's about much more than the use of the word. She's either racist or stupid. Or both.

Wow if true but that is the first I've heard of that incident. What the initial major uproar seems to be about her admission and subsequent apology of using the racial slur 30 years ago. That's what I responded to in my post.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by PiKA2001

Wow if true but that is the first I've heard of that incident. What the initial major uproar seems to be about her admission and subsequent apology of using the racial slur 30 years ago. That's what I responded to in my post.

The lawsuit is what led to the deposition which is what led to the news coverage. She's trying to play it off like it was oh so long ago, and oh man, she's just a product of her times. I'm not buying it for one second.

You can't admit in a deposition that yes, the conversation in which she wanted to have little black tapdancing boys (just like Shirley Temple!) in her brother's plantation wedding, and servers made to represent SLAVES sure did happen, and then say "Oh no, it was so long ago that I used that word. I didn't use that word in that conversation that pretty much proves that I'm a horrible racist."

[33girl]

I've never gotten a good vibe from this woman, and I think the racism is just the tip of the iceberg. In other words, I have the feeling she's equally awful to all people...if that makes the situation better or worse, who knows.

[Xidelt]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I've never gotten a good vibe from this woman, and I think the racism is just the tip of the iceberg. In other words, I have the feeling she's equally awful to all people...if that makes the situation better or worse, who knows.

She's only kind to butter and ham.