As we all know Paula Deen is in hot water over racist comments and other hurtful remarks which she has admittedly said in the past.
Here’s the recap: Paula Deen had a deposition in court in which she admitted to the use of the N-word and her participation in racist jokes, in the past, inside her “bathroom/den combination.”
She released a semi-apologetic video, received backlash from it, and then released another rambling sort of a video via YouTube-which later was removed.
And she cancelled a sit-down with the Today Show – in what could have been a shoring up of her character.
Now here we are… endorsements being pulled, televised contracts not being renewed, more accusations surfacing, character questioned… and, in my personal opinion, all a waste of time.
It seems as though we’re getting further and further away from the whole point of the case brought against Paula Deen, which is discrimination and sexism in the workplace. Not who Paula Deen is, or what her “intimate conversations” are in the privacy of her own home.
I personally don’t care what Paula Deen has said in her home amongst her peers, or what she joked about in the privacy of her own home.
Perhaps she’s a bigot or was raised that way.. after all Paula Deen was born in 1947 in Albany, Georgia, can someone say that was a very different time in the South? Segregation was constitutional, race related discrimination and crimes were an everyday occurrence.
Was the foundation of her upbringing her fault… or my problem?
No, not her fault. She did have parents and racism is taught, not something your born with. But it is her problem, she would have to live with her past, present and future.
What would be – my problem – is if Paula Deen use of the N-word, or any racist word in the workplace or in public. That would affect me, my children, my neighbors, my colleagues, and my race.
And as a consumer, sitting in her restaurant, hearing the N-word over the intercom, then yes I would definitely have a few choice words to tell the owner(s), as well as where they can shove their food…
But, if I am sitting there enjoying some Southern cooking and all I knew is that in the past the owners used the N-word at home, I likely would sit, eat and write a review on the food. Not on the owners. And, yes, others would possibly categorized me as upholding a racist or agreeing with his/her beliefs. But that doesn’t dictate that conclusion, in my opinion. If it was so, a lot of people should stop eating out and stay home.
We’ve come a long way from the 1940’s to present day. We still have a ways to go, there’s no doubt about it.
But are we buying into the ignorance ourselves by digressing from the case at hand?
I would have to answer yes. We’re paying more attention to what she has admitted to saying, jokingly or not, in the past, between herself and her brother inside her bathroom/den – versus – what she said to an employee directly at her and her brother’s place of business.
I personally have said, discussed, and vocalized some risky jokes with my husband. Quite frankly, if it ever got outside my home, I myself could be labeled as a racist by others who would find things I have said offensive. I could perhaps even lose my job.
Question… why did Food Network not renew her contract?
Why did QVC suddenly distance themselves?
And why did Smithfield Foods cut ties with her altogether?
Was it because she’s admitted to saying the N-word in the past, or is it because she is accused of discrimination at the workplace, which is what the lawsuit filed is about.
If it’s because she’s been accused of discrimination at work, shouldn’t the lawsuit reach a final judgment before they make their decisions?
If it’s because she admitted to saying the N-word in the past, then shouldn’t a lot of other high profile people, perhaps even some Food Network and Smithfield Foods execs be terminated or their salaries reviewed?
After all, Smithfield Foods was founded in 1936 by a Joseph W Luter Sr. Wonder what the conversations were like in his home between 1930-2013.
And the Food Network was founded in 1993, following the LA riots. And QVC was founded in 1986… need I say more?
So should these execs be questioned to determine if they have ever entertained racism themselves? I suspect there’s more than 1 bigot here.
The real issue is Paula’s behavior, not the word(s) she’s used in the past.
TMZ caught up with the Great Rev. Al Sharpton and asked his opinion on the matter; he said it better than I could have said:
“A lot of us have in the past said things we have regretted saying years ago. I think she has a lawsuit now about activities now whether it was discriminatory. And whether or not she’s engaged in things now. It’s not about her past. … She deserves what’s fair, but that’s based on what she’s engaged in now. You cannot deal with what is fair or not fair until we see an outcome of the present circumstances she is accused of, not something that happened 20 years ago.”
Sharpton’s spokesperson wanted to clarify that his statements were not in support, but rather just to push for people to focus on the matters at hand that are more pressing.
What’s your take on the Paula Deen controversy?
Leave your comments below.
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