Paula Deen: Begging forgiveness

[senior citizen]

Who thinks that possibly political correctness has gotten out of hand when a television celebrity has to go public, obviously shaken to her core, and BEG FORGIVENESS for something she apparently said awhile ago?

I've always been a firm believer in kindness to all and taught my children to be nice to everyone.......and they do have friends of all ethnic backgrounds and races.......as do their children. They are color blind.

However, public humiliation is now right up there with bullying in the schools.

Without going into detail, both hubby and I sat there with our mouths hanging open........thinking the same thing about reverse discrimination when the other side has called "others" names and nothing at all is said...........just listen to some of these rappers......

In doing genealogy, I learned that ALL groups have been called names, including the ethnic groups my husband and I come from.........

[justjim]

Paula Deen has made a "mess" of her apology. The last thing you want to do is get on the tube when you are emotional and distraught and make matters worse. To be honest, I don't follow her on her cooking program----never seen it. If she had consulted with a professional in crisis management, things might have turned out a bit different.

[jojoin]

post edited.....duplicate

[jojoin]

Agree (with original poster). I'd like to say more but it might not be politically correct:duck:.

[Golfingnut]

Our generation is, or at least was, for the most part, racist! It would have been easier for Paula to say, Like most of my friends and family, I was, but I am trying to be more accepting of all people. Trying to lie to in an attempt to alter the TRUTH about your own past is silly.

I was a bigot in the 50's and 60's, entered the Army in 1966 and started questioning my own beliefs. By the 80's I recognized how wrong I was and changed my views and began to voice my opinion about this terible social issue. I now will not tolerate bigotry from friends nor family.

[senior citizen]

Agree (with original poster). I'd like to say more but it might not be politically correct:duck:.

Ayup. I "hear you".

[senior citizen]

orOur generation is, or at least was, for the most part, racist! It would have been easier for Paula to say, Like most of my friends and family, I was, but I am trying to be more accepting of all people. Trying to lie to in an attempt to alter the TRUTH about your own past is silly.

I was a bigot in the 50's and 60's, entered the Army in 1966 and started questioning my own beliefs. By the 80's I recognized how wrong I was and changed my views and began to voice my opinion about this terible social issue. I now will not tolerate bigotry from friends nor family.

I can totally relate to your first paragraph.

However, not all families were racist back in the 1950's into say 1962, etc.
My parents were both factory workers (from the World War Two era) who worked along side folks from all races and ethnic backgrounds.....and called many their friends. I still remember helping my mom wrap Christmas presents for some........

I went to a public school and had friends of all races......in Newark, N.J.
This would be circa the 1950's to 1962.

Hubby, however, went to an all Polish Catholic School and didn't experience the type of diversity that I did.......even though we lived around the corner from each other in a predominately German neighborhood.

His family reacted quite strongly during the Newark riots of the '60s...

When I was planning my 1965 wedding, I so wanted to invite a fellow secretary who was the loveliest young mom from North Carolina, two young beautiful boys (pre schoolers) whom she'd share stories of each morning before work began...........but at the time, there was an "unspoken" thing......and I knew that I shouldn't invite her. I still regret it.

Many moons later, my daughter invited her Boston friends to her Vermont wedding, without nary a thought as to if she would offend any family member.......and the guests were lovely folks.

The younger generation today have made the entire world a smaller place.

However, that said..............I still say there is reverse discrimination when "stuff" is done to us......

[senior citizen]

P.S.
Again, a good decade or more ago, we were visiting in Cincinnati Ohio where our son had been recruited out of grad school into Proctor and Gamble Corporation.....
Knowing there had been recent riots, a week prior.......we gingerly made our way around, getting lost in the inner city, etc.........before we ultimately found our destination............it brought back memories of our youth and the riots in Newark, N.J............so there are two sides to every story.......there is good and not so good in all types of people. No one type of person should be elevated to a pedestal. I prefer to take each one individually.........when our daughter used to work in Boston teaching English, she was befriended by a nice young married Jamaican man and his wife.........they would walk with her from the "T" (train) through the "combat zone" which anyone knows who knows Boston.......and I felt that she was safer. They are the ones she invited her her wedding in Vermont.........with their beautiful baby. They are still friends. When we were just up there, our grand daughter had a beautiful friend from Haiti visiting the home..........nice little girl. Again, my kids are all color blind.

[billethkid]

In my opinion one cannot look at how they lived, in the time they lived, doing and believing what were the acceptable norm of the day.....then look back and measure and define yesterday by today's standards.

The standards of today (of our children) are very, VERY much different than those of their parents or grand parents. That in no way shape or form means what was allowed back then was wrong or incorrect.

And just because our standards have changed to something different does not neccesarily mean the change was indeed for the better.....it simply means it has changed.



btk

[senior citizen]

Paula Deen has made a "mess" of her apology. The last thing you want to do is get on the tube when you are emotional and distraught and make matters worse. To be honest, I don't follow her on her cooking program----never seen it. If she had consulted with a professional in crisis management, things might have turned out a bit different.


Yes, I did see several versions of her "apology". I thought it was pitiful.
She must have been desperate. I am such a stickler for freedom of speech. I know not to hurt people's feelings and always taught my own brood to be kind to everyone........however, she was a product of a different "south" than it is today........maybe she said more than I have heard about....but still.

A p.s. to my earlier post about the riots of the 60's in Newark, N.J. and then the riots in Cincinnati, Ohio........

Hubby, who had been brought up in a somewhat racist type background, totally changed his perspective when he was stationed in Fort Knox Kentucky in the 1960's.....he developed friendships he might not have had in his old neighborhood.....or Polish Catholic School........or hearing his uncles, etc. on the block.

He also was shocked to find out that NOT EVERYONE IN THE WORLD loved J.F.K.......surely not at Fort Knox Kentucky........whereas in our little isolated Catholic neighborhood......."Camelot" and all it stood for was definitely on a pedestal. He was a "drill sergeant in tanks.....and then went back summer after summer.....with Army Reserves.

But prior to him going into the Army, they were all "packing guns" for protection in Newark, enroute to work each day......."downtown".
I had an incident while parked outside waiting after work for him....a man with his hand in a brown paper bag came up to my open window as the car idled......to me it looked like a gun in the bag.......to me it seemed like an attempted robbery.......I pulled out of that parking space so fast....I never even looked to see if a car was coming.......kept driving around the corner until he came out of work. Those were different times.

I can understand Paula Deen's different times.

We all mature as we experience other facets of life and other areas ......

But, truthfully, I was never ever racist..........and that said, I still feel that Paula Deen's apology was too drastic. My best friend in first grade was a little black girl.......my daughter's best friend in first grade, ditto....and now our grand daughter's , etc........we have Indian and Asian friends whom we love dearly as well...........nuff said.

I still feel sorry for Paula Deen.............bad enough she had to take all the yummy calories and carbs out of her southern cooking (when she was diagnosed as diabetic)........(said tongue in cheek)........

[redwitch]

Being of a liberal bent, I do believe in political correctness. I do believe that someone should never be called a derogatory name because of their race, religion, sexual preference. If it will hurt someone and I know it, I will not use a word or phrase around that person. Period.

However, that is today. My parents were both born and raised as bigots. My father was a Southerner. My mother was German. By the time I was born in 1950 neither of them would dream of using the words they did of their youth. Dad learned that the color of a man's skin had nothing to do with his intellect or courage. My mother learned that a person's religion did not make that person better or worse. They both learned this in WWII. While my father would occasionally slip and use the N word, he made sure his kids never did. Both of my parents worked hard to teach my brother and me to judge a person by their words and actions, not anything else.

I lived all over the world as a child. More than once, my brother and I were the minority in class. I still remember living in the Congo and actually have kids come up and touch me just to make sure I wasn't a ghost -- some had never seen a white person before. There were two nations that I saw and heard bigotry used in everyday language and behavior in my travels (up to and including a lynching in the late 50s) -- England and the USA.

There is no excuse for bigotry and perpetualizing any thing by words or deeds that denigrates another because of their differences.

However, Ms. Deen made her derogatory comments many years ago, at a time when the use of those words was acceptable. She does not use them today (I can't comment on how she feels today, I'm not in her skin) and that is what should matter. If she still uses or thinks those words, then shame on her. If not, it was an act of the past and should be treated as such -- something that was accepted at the time and something that we, as a nation, and, hopefully, individually, regret today. She does not deserve the issue made of her admission that she did in fact use those words in the past. If she did in fact treat her restaurant employees as alleged, she does pretty much deserve all the negative publicity and the results thereof.

[senior citizen]

In my opinion one cannot look at how they lived, in the time they lived, doing and believing what were the acceptable norm of the day.....then look back and measure and define yesterday by today's standards.

The standards of today (of our children) are very, VERY much different than those of their parents or grand parents. That in no way shape or form means what was allowed back then was wrong or incorrect.

And just because our standards have changed to something different does not neccesarily mean the change was indeed for the better.....it simply means it has changed.


btk

Again, in all fairness to Paula Deen (from the south), again I can see all sides of everyone's story.....and put it into perspective.

We were raised in a city close to New York City.........

At age nineteen, I still remember sitting in my eye doctor's office and picking up a magazine......EBONY. I was really surprised to see the advertisements were not like the ones I normally saw in my parents magazines such as Saturday Evening Post, Look, Life, Time, etc.......

Then, shortly after the Newark, New Jersey riots.......right about when our baby daughter was born , I went back into the city to shop.........it had totally changed...........and the manikins in Bambergers windows or the other big department store windows were no longer all lily white.

Prior to that........we had been SHOCKED when in 1965 we drove to Miami Beach Florida on our honeymoon (aged twenty) and while stopping each night in a different southern state.....or just stopping at rest areas while traveling south.........we saw the "White Bathrooms" and the other bathrooms...........ditto for the water fountains.......so they were still there in 1965.

Not sure what state Paula Deen was raised in...........

[DianeM]

Let's be real here. We're all from an era when those words were acceptable. She is is a product of her time and public humiliation because of the past is absurd.

[senior citizen]

being of a liberal bent, i do believe in political correctness. I do believe that someone should never be called a derogatory name because of their race, religion, sexual preference. If it will hurt someone and i know it, i will not use a word or phrase around that person. Period.

However, that is today. My parents were both born and raised as bigots. My father was a southerner. My mother was german. By the time i was born in 1950 neither of them would dream of using the words they did of their youth. Dad learned that the color of a man's skin had nothing to do with his intellect or courage. My mother learned that a person's religion did not make that person better or worse. They both learned this in wwii. While my father would occasionally slip and use the n word, he made sure his kids never did. Both of my parents worked hard to teach my brother and me to judge a person by their words and actions, not anything else.

I lived all over the world as a child. More than once, my brother and i were the minority in class. I still remember living in the congo and actually have kids come up and touch me just to make sure i wasn't a ghost -- some had never seen a white person before. There were two nations that i saw and heard bigotry used in everyday language and behavior in my travels (up to and including a lynching in the late 50s) -- england and the usa.

There is no excuse for bigotry and perpetualizing any thing by words or deeds that denigrates another because of their differences.

However, ms. Deen made her derogatory comments many years ago, at a time when the use of those words was acceptable. She does not use them today (i can't comment on how she feels today, i'm not in her skin) and that is what should matter. If she still uses or thinks those words, then shame on her. If not, it was an act of the past and should be treated as such -- something that was accepted at the time and something that we, as a nation, and, hopefully, individually, regret today. She does not deserve the issue made of her admission that she did in fact use those words in the past. If she did in fact treat her restaurant employees as alleged, she does pretty much deserve all the negative publicity and the results thereof.


great post.

[Parker]

Paula Deen is groveling. I am not familiar with her show, but groveling always seems so....cringeworthy. Just fess up that you were a product of the times you grew up in, that you've grown up and evolved now, and move on. With a little dignity please.

[jblum315]

Never liked her anyway

[Golfingnut]

Let's be real here. We're all from an era when those words were acceptable. She is is a product of her time and public humiliation because of the past is absurd.

I so agree: Being real and honest is what Paula tried to portray when interviewed. Its like the movie line YOU CAN"T HANDLE THE TRUTH. It also reminds me of a belief in drug and other addictions: The first step to healing is being open and honest.

[mountaineergirl]

Have you read the deposition? It certainly changed my mind about the situation. Can't support Paula after reading that.

[Jaggy]

Her racist remarks are not recent and its entirely possible for someone to change. What she said in the past is highly offensive, but I'm willing to cut her some slack considering she is from the South and her age. If its past history, let it stay in the past..

[BarryRX]

Her recipes hurt a lot more black people than her use of the n word.

[BobnBev]

She used the "N" word in the privacy of her home, with her husband.....so what...It's nobody's business what goes on behind closed doors.

How come black people can use it when talking to other blacks, and they can call white people racist names, but nobody seems to concerned about that.

It doesn't matter to me, one way or the other, what Paula Dean thinks or says.:mornincoffee:

"Flame suit on"

[senior citizen]

Have you read the deposition? It certainly changed my mind about the situation. Can't support Paula after reading that.

Could you copy and paste or send a hyperlink to the deposition???
Thanks.

[Jhooman]

Redwitch I love your post.

I was raised in the military, attended 26 different schools before graduating from high school. We lived with every type of race. My Mother and Father taught us to be tolerant, we were never allowed to use the N word or we would be punished.

Fast forward, my first husband is Iranian and we have a mixed gorgeous daughter. During the Iranian crisis, parents in my child's preschool shunned us and would not allow their children to play with our child. My ex worked in a high security job and is an American citizen, he was called towel head and many other demeaning names. It was a tough time for our family.

Now my child is grown and married to a half Mexican and Filipino young man, their children are so beautiful. We call them combo children, they attend schools that are a melting pot of races, it's wonderful to see this openness.

My current husband is 100% Russian, 2nd generation. He was persecuted during the 50's, the cold war. Why do people persecute others? I think it's all about fear.

I've had the opportunity to travel the world and experience all types of cultures. I'm so grateful that I was taught to keep an open mind by my parents. When our family gets together the cuisine includes Persian food, Mexican, Filipino, Cuban and Russian food. To be honest we find the Russian food tasteless per the Russian husband. Plus to hear the various languages spoken in our homes is intriguing.

What does this have to do with Ms Dean? Maybe nothing, but it's my experience.

[senior citizen]

Redwitch I love your post.

I was raised in the military, attended 26 different schools before graduating from high school. We lived with every type of race. My Mother and Father taught us to be tolerant, we were never allowed to use the N word or we would be punished.

Fast forward, my first husband is Iranian and we have a mixed gorgeous daughter. During the Iranian crisis, parents in my child's preschool shunned us and would not allow their children to play with our child. My ex worked in a high security job and is an American citizen, he was called towel head and many other demeaning names. It was a tough time for our family.

Now my child is grown and married to a half Mexican and Filipino young man, their children are so beautiful. We call them combo children, they attend schools that are a melting pot of races, it's wonderful to see this openness.

My current husband is 100% Russian, 2nd generation. He was persecuted during the 50's, the cold war. Why do people persecute others? I think it's all about fear.

I've had the opportunity to travel the world and experience all types of cultures. I'm so grateful that I was taught to keep an open mind by my parents. When our family gets together the cuisine includes Persian food, Mexican, Filipino, Cuban and Russian food. To be honest we find the Russian food tasteless per the Russian husband. Plus to hear the various languages spoken in our homes is intriguing.

What does this have to do with Ms Dean? Maybe nothing, but it's my experience.

Beautiful post which exhibits the "melting pot" of our wonderful country.
I can only imagine how beautiful your child and grandchildren are with the blending of the backgrounds as you described.

Our best friends were from Budapest Hungary (strawberry blonde, green eyed lady) and India (black hair, dark eyed gent) who produced the most beautiful children........now grown. We enjoyed all of our differences and similarities, our ethnic foods (Hungarian, Indian, Italian, Ukrainian, Polish) amidst the local Vermonters who had been in town for generations from England, Ireland and French Canada.....Quebec. Vive le difference.

Farm raised and city raised alike..........we all got along and respected each other.

Ditto, our kids when a Filipino doctor from the Phillipines and his family moved into the neighborhood......our son actually thought we live in a multi cultural neighborhood. It was mostly old time Vermonters.

People are accepting of all types as long as they feel safe and secure and respected as well.........we've seen it in action.

In doing the genealogy these past twelve years, I learned a lot about the melting pot from Europe, etc. into our cities with the new wave of immigrants back at the turn of the century and prior, in the 1800's....and also the ones who came earlier to settle this big country, also in our tree, from Germany and elsewhere........so I was really surprised when I remembered that our daughter had been told in college that the "melting pot is just a myth".........a myth? I had all kinds of friends while growing up as a child in N.J. I think my own mom was ahead of her time in her tolerance........and that rubbed off on me...........however, the next generation had everyone on a pedestal, even the criminal types....and something, to me anyway, is wrong with that picture.

So this P.C. thing is not really new........it's been around awhile.......at least from the late 1980's/early 1990's.......

We didn't call it P.C. when we were young.......we just accepted our friends on a one to one personal basis. You know who is kind and who is not.
You know who you can trust and who you should not. It doesn't matter what color they are. Maybe I'm strange, but I never felt the need to call anyone names. I find it hurtful.....and would think others would find it hurtful.

But, anyone from immigrant grandparents would remember that they had stories of being called names.........and I don't recall any p.c. cops defending them back in the early days.............

We'd get on a bus in N.J. in the later 1950's after the Hungarian Revolution......and a bunch of factory workers with their lunch pails in their hands would board the bus also.......and people would mutter under their breath....."Green Horns", etc., etc. "Hunkies"......these were BLONDE, BLUE EYED WHITE SKINNED MEN, FATHERS, ETC.

Discrimination and name calling goes across the board..........
The Italians were called wops, dagos, guineas, and worse......
Ditto for the Irish.....shanty Irish, lace curtain irish, drunken Irish.....
I had a wonderful Irish stepfather.......after my Italian dad died.......
Could he ever tell some stories of the Scottish and Irish in his background......
Plus he would tell these stories in his alternating Scottish and Irish brogue.....

There was no politically correct league back in those days.

Out of curiosity, what is the ethnic or racial breakdown in THE VILLAGES?

P.S. When my Hungarian friend came from Budapest Hungary after the Revolution with her Grandmother and Mom, they settled in West Liberty Ohio and were befriended by an entire community of Mennonites. To this day, the surviving aunt and uncle of my departed friend, still recall the kindness of those Mennonite families to displaced people from Hungary, a communist country at the time.......

It is easier to be kind than it is to be hurtful with racial or ethnic name calling.........however, it goes both ways.

[senior citizen]

p.s. Our son has traveled the world many times over......including Europe and all of Asia except Korea. He's been to New Zealand and Australia, China, Cambodia, Viet Nam twice, Japan, etc....Singapore, Thailand,......South America, etc.....etc....

I was thinking of him yesterday when we were watching a repeat of Anthony Bourdain in Viet Nam eating all that noodle soup and driving the mopeds.....exactly as our son had described it when he traveled first with his wife and then the second time with his doctor friend to deliver some collected scholarship money to a girl on a boat raft school.....can't quite picture that. The doc's grandparents were still in Viet Nam so they had dinner with them...........

I've been wondering if any guys who were in the Viet Nam War have been able to put aside bad feelings towards the Vietnamese people or Cambodians? This younger generation does seem to see the entire world as one big brotherhood of men.

But I remember not that long ago at our post office, another generation of men, could not bear to see any of our Japanese automobiles........and would come over and remark on their days during WWII......which I can also understand. It really upset them that any of us would even think of buying a Japanese car.

[784caroline]

Its time for Paula Dean to "move on"......and I could care less about her "words" before and/or after. All Celebs are pretty much scripted anyway including apoligies.

I was never a big fan or I should say follower of deep butter cooking and regardless of what social media wants, it looks like the advertisers are droping her like a lead ballon. Her latest actions (and moreso the attempt at recovery), have been a disaster. Move on and enjoy your millions!

[senior citizen]

Obviously, very few people still cook like Paula Dean's heyday.....even herself.

However, maybe it is me........but when I first saw her humiliating public apology, I kind of related it to back to the Salem Witch Trial days when people would be put in the stocks or else be made to wear a "red letter" or confess their "crime"........it's like where is freedom of speech?

It may not be right or sensitive or kind........but we still supposedly have freedom of thought and speech. NO?

The movies today, the television today compared to those days of our youth, are so foul, that they should be looked into. I think Hollywood is corrupting more values than is Paula Deen. Neither my husband nor I will turn into serial killers by watching the shows we watch............but not every parent is home supervising their kids nowadays.......or making sure the babysitter doesn't turn on the t.v. Just saying.

Worse language and violence is depicted every day into our living rooms.........than she can ever utter, or has uttered.

[Happinow]

This has gotten way out of hand. Does anyone care what she said 20+ years ago? I am far more concerned about the lyrics of some of the musicians on the radio talking about killing cops and people, I concerned about the rapper who stomped all over the American flag while making his video. Why is it ok for a black person to call,another black,person the "N" word when someone else does it it is a racial slur? Why is it that Chris Brown can beat up His girlfriend and people still buy his records and he has suffered no backlash? Give Paula Dean a break. I think I would call a person who was robbing me every name I could think of. Her life was in danger and she was afraid. This should never have been taken this far.....in fact, it should never have been mentioned by anyone. Food Network needs to do the right thing and put her show back on. By the way, I don't really care for her or her show but she has gotten a bad rap on this one.

[billethkid]

political correctness (barf) or PC (barf) is a concept allowing one to NOT do or say what is right OR waters down a wrong to the point where it is acceptable for a myriad of ridiculous excuses.

A coward's defense and or position!!

btk

[nitehawk]

The black people call each other "N" word all the time but dont you do it --- believe me i know this for a fact

[asianthree]

well coming from a southern back ground i only heard the n word once in the house....no not from my aunt but from my mammy, who used the word while talking about her nephew who was no good///yep my mammy was black, and i loved her for everything she taught me.....In 75 i chose a black peds doctor for our daughter who was going to be a premie...that was because he was so use to having premies in distress and very rarely lost a baby...my husband and i both worked in the same hospital and trust me coworkers and some doctors did not speak to us because of that choice....our daughter was born with a apgar of 2 her doctor got her thru a rough time.. she was a failure to thrive untill 2 years old ....It wasn't untill she was three when we were at the doctors office that she asked the doctor why she was different than every once else...he waited and thought and told her she was not different because she was blond and blue eyes, she was different because, she was so small he named her peanut, lite color on the outside, same color as everyone else on the inside...

I have been to deans resturant many times talked with her, her sons her brother bubba...met most of her staff and i will say that most in her kitchens staff are black, i think her PR people handled it badly...will i stop gong to her resturants...no the food is great... i have most of her cook books signed by her and the boys, from attending private parties...will i think she will take a hit from this yes...only time will tell

[Russ_Boston]

Our generation is, or at least was, for the most part, racist! It would have been easier for Paula to say, Like most of my friends and family, I was, but I am trying to be more accepting of all people. Trying to lie to in an attempt to alter the TRUTH about your own past is silly.

I was a bigot in the 50's and 60's, entered the Army in 1966 and started questioning my own beliefs. By the 80's I recognized how wrong I was and changed my views and began to voice my opinion about this terible social issue. I now will not tolerate bigotry from friends nor family.

Bravo, Bravo Golfingnut.

That might be the most honest heartfelt post I've EVER read on TOTV. I admire your courage.

I'm hopeful that's how Paula feels. Should have said under oath: "Yes that's a word I've used - but I was wrong and I show that now in my actions and my beliefs".

[tucson]

I wonder if the woman bringing the lawsuit would've, if she was an unknown restuarant owner that wasn't a world famous multi-millionaire???

[Patty55]

Paula Deen is an entertainer and a cook, not a monument to justice.

[mountaineergirl]

Could you copy and paste or send a hyperlink to the deposition???
Thanks.

Sorry I don't know how to link something. If you google it, you'll find it.

[casita37]

Some seem to think this is all about 20, or so, years ago. If you read the transcript and "listen" to what she is saying, you may get a different opinion. Everything she says goes from bad to worse, and it appears pretty obvious to me she still thinks of black people as inferior. She's entitled to her opinion, but this is about harrassment and discrimination, which she is not entitled to in her place of business.

[CFrance]

Some seem to think this is all about 20, or so, years ago. If you read the transcript and "listen" to what she is saying, you may get a different opinion. Everything she says goes from bad to worse, and it appears pretty obvious to me she still thinks of black people as inferior. She's entitled to her opinion, but this is about harrassment and discrimination, which she is not entitled to in her place of business.

Thank you.

[Thnonne]

I am tired of knee jerk reactions to news reports. Paula Deen admitted to saying something a long time ago and is being vilified for it. Wendy Williams attacks her viciously, on the record, and she should be called to task for that. Paula Deen's network cancels her, and gladly many people have let them know they are going to stop watching that network if they do this. Remember the Duke lacrosse team that was punished immediately before all the info was in and later proved innocent. The media gets a story, runs with it, and before it has been properly researched someone has their life turned upside down. I don't think this is what the founding fathers had in mind when they guaranteed freedom of the press.

[Monkei]

Paula listened to the piper ... All she needs to do now is pay them.

[Quixote]

Our generation is, or at least was, for the most part, racist!...

.... We're all from an era when those words were acceptable....

.... However, not all families were racist back in the 1950's into say 1962, etc.

It's easy to write off our racism—that is, those of us who were—by explaining (or excusing?) it as a product of the times, as pointed out by Golfingnut and DianeM. But while "separate but not equal," "white and colored water fountains," "poll taxes," and "lynchings" were more part of the times back then than now, it doesn't mean that back then—on a personal level—every individual and every family manifested racist attitudes, as pointed out by senior citizen.

My parents certainly did not reflect the times in this regard, and I was raised in an atmosphere that was the antithesis of racism. And I have no recollection that in doing/being so, my parents were out to make a social statement or that they were bucking what was contemporary at the time; rather, this is the way they chose to live—strictly on a personal level—and the values with which they raised me. 'Nuff said....


.... It doesn't matter to me, one way or the other, what Paula Dean thinks or says....

And to go back to the topic, I completely agree; Paula Deen's life is none of my business!

[TrudyM]

And some people still hold those feelings even if they act politically correct in public. I was in the waiting room of the doctors office waiting for my hubby and a older white man came in and sat down to wait for the doctor to squeeze him in as he didn't have an appointment. He started talking to me about all the things going wrong with the country. Kept saying I know I shouldn't say so but... and then said and now there are not enough real white people being born with all the intermarriage. I turned and said boy you really have caught a bad case, I doubt the doctor can cure you of such ignorance. At which point my Hawaiian/ Japanese husband came out and we left. The guy is in for a big shock as the doctor on call was Dr Lee.

[Quixote]

And some people still hold those feelings even if they act politically correct in public. I was in the waiting room of the doctors office waiting for my hubby and a older white man came in and sat down to wait for the doctor to squeeze him in as he didn't have an appointment. He started talking to me about all the things going wrong with the country. Kept saying I know I shouldn't say so but... and then said and now there are not enough real white people being born with all the intermarriage. I turned and said boy you really have caught a bad case, I doubt the doctor can cure you of such ignorance. At which point my Hawaiian/ Japanese husband came out and we left. The guy is in for a big shock as the doctor on call was Dr Lee.

People like this will never change; they're not even embarrassed by such remarks. I am appalled at the number of outright racist remarks I heard here in TV in the last months of 2012 and continuing today; I foolishly and naively thought that this had disappeared�supposedly like the dodo�at the time of the civil rights movement back in the '60s, but I guess the dodo is alive and well, even if ignorant (excuse me, "iggorant"...).

[Parker]

I'm sure there are plenty of people who still hold old attitudes, but I don't hear very much of it at all around The Villages. In fact, when I do hear something, it is rare enough to shock me. It tells me all I need to know about the speaker.

[senior citizen]

It's easy to write off our racism�that is, those of us who were�by explaining (or excusing?) it as a product of the times, as pointed out by Golfingnut and DianeM. But while "separate but not equal," "white and colored water fountains," "poll taxes," and "lynchings" were more part of the times back then than now, it doesn't mean that back then�on a personal level�every individual and every family manifested racist attitudes, as pointed out by senior citizen.

My parents certainly did not reflect the times in this regard, and I was raised in an atmosphere that was the antithesis of racism. And I have no recollection that in doing/being so, my parents were out to make a social statement or that they were bucking what was contemporary at the time; rather, this is the way they chose to live�strictly on a personal level�and the values with which they raised me. 'Nuff said....




And to go back to the topic, I completely agree; Paula Deen's life is none of my business!


My Ukrainian and Italian parents were not at all bigots............
My mom was even ahead of her times, being both ecumenical and not rigid, bit free spirited ......which allowed me also to think freely.......
Going to public school also helped in that respect.....

However, I'd say the more insulated isolated Polish inlaws were most definitely like Archie Bunker, etc. when I met them in 1962......

When we were young parents, I noticed that the generation before us were still racist and bigoted and would make embarrassing comments in public........like at a mall (these were wonderful elderly neighbors of ours by the way, surrogate grandparents to our children).....however, they were quite loud and vocal if they saw a mixed couple pushing a stroller at the mall.......I'd have to hush them.

Again, our kids were color blind.........and still are.

[senior citizen]

p.s.
My sister in law made a comment, which to me was shocking at the time, when a relative of ours married a beautiful Malaysian gal, one who was not only lovely but talented and gifted musically plus with a Masters Degree......she was Chinese ethnicity. Had a great career; was kind and just a nice person over all.

The sister in law (whose kids didn't turn out all that great by the way) made the comment: "You all know, don't you....that their children will be bi racial".

This was the year 2001. Not 1950.

I always thought to myself, "What beautiful children they will have together"..........so, go figure.

[senior citizen]

And some people still hold those feelings even if they act politically correct in public. I was in the waiting room of the doctors office waiting for my hubby and a older white man came in and sat down to wait for the doctor to squeeze him in as he didn't have an appointment. He started talking to me about all the things going wrong with the country. Kept saying I know I shouldn't say so but... and then said and now there are not enough real white people being born with all the intermarriage. I turned and said boy you really have caught a bad case, I doubt the doctor can cure you of such ignorance. At which point my Hawaiian/ Japanese husband came out and we left. The guy is in for a big shock as the doctor on call was Dr Lee.

People are definitely influenced by their past experiences.........

Often, even if nothing untoward occurred to them, they are a product of their generation or their parents' own prejudice toward other races......

WE had neighbors (now deceased) who were like the man you describe.
Otherwise, they would do anything for any neighbor and had hearts of gold. They had been born and bred in Vermont which used to be the whitest state in the nation.....our town was mostly Irish and English and then the French Canadians........

They were obviously prejudiced because they hadn't been exposed to much other than an insulated very small town..........where people worked and rarely left the town......until we people from N.J. and L.I. N.Y. started moving up to Vermont.....in the early'70s (after the hippy invasion of the back to the land movement......the flower children and earth people).

Once, when we had come back from two weeks in Florida (younger, in our 30s) my husband had been doing some yard work and was sitting to rest at the back picnic table.........our above mentioned neighbor, with the heart of gold, called me on the phone to tell me "Oh.......oh.....you better look out your back window........there is a big black man sitting on your picnic table). It was my Polish husband with a dark "tan" from Florida.
That's when we used to sunbathe.......ha ha.

I knew he didn't mean any harm.........it was just his generation.

Our N.J. cousin had been "beat up by black kids while a teenager in high school" and up until his own daughter's wedding several years ago, had a terrible prejudice because of his experience as a kid............then, he had to tell off his own mother and mother in law who hadn't been warned that the bridal party (all friends of the Swedish German groom) were going to be the ushers and bridesmaids.......the guys from his basketball team in North Carolina.........) The two grandmas were not mannerly shall we say when they saw everyone walking down the aisle......but loudly vocal.

So, it isn't just Paula Deen.........it's generational. They are dead now.

Our cousin had a change of heart when , after a long time coming, he realized they were really good friends to the couple.....and nice folks.

His wife changed her biased ways after getting a job in a community college where the majority are recent immigrants.......from all over.
Again, state of New Jersey. Had been raised in insulated, isolated Polish Catholic school through high school and neighborhood.

[Russ_Boston]

I am tired of knee jerk reactions to news reports. Paula Deen admitted to saying something a long time ago and is being vilified for it. Wendy Williams attacks her viciously, on the record, and she should be called to task for that. Paula Deen's network cancels her, and gladly many people have let them know they are going to stop watching that network if they do this. Remember the Duke lacrosse team that was punished immediately before all the info was in and later proved innocent. The media gets a story, runs with it, and before it has been properly researched someone has their life turned upside down. I don't think this is what the founding fathers had in mind when they guaranteed freedom of the press.

The key phrase in your 'argument' was proved innocent. Those boys were innocent and said so before, during and after the investigation. These were Paula's own admissions not some possible charge against her. If you're in the spotlight and reap the rewards of same then you are subject to higher scrutiny and pay a deeper price than us average folk.

[Golfingnut]

Bravo, Bravo Golfingnut.

That might be the most honest heartfelt post I've EVER read on TOTV. I admire your courage.

I'm hopeful that's how Paula feels. Should have said under oath: "Yes that's a word I've used - but I was wrong and I show that now in my actions and my beliefs".

Thank you so much. Most folks opinions of my posts have about the same significance as a fart in a tornado; however, I have always appreciated your views and posts. :beer3:

[mac9]

Just googled the transcript of her deposition and read the entire thing. I needed to do this in order to form an unbiased opinion. Paula has no idea that what she said is so wrong on many levels. These feelings are so entrenched in her that she does not see that there is a major problem/flaw in her thinking.

[Golfingnut]

Just googled the transcript of her deposition and read the entire thing. I needed to do this in order to form an unbiased opinion. Paula has no idea that what she said is so wrong on many levels. These feelings are so entrenched in her that she does not see that there is a major problem/flaw in her thinking.

I agree with you; however, please consider where she came from and where she is today. I feel confident she regrets some choices in her past yet, is sincere in her intent to improve. I can witness how hard it is to go against upbringing and your family comfort zone. I would embrace her journey before that of someone who would say they never had a racist thought.

[mac9]

But her brother's "plantation" wedding is not so far into the past. She defines the waiters that she saw in the other restaurant as "fine, middle-aged gentlemen" which, to me, indicates that they are fine because they"know their place." How could she possibly know anything about them by just seeing them in their place of employment? And she excuses her use of the "N" word many years ago by saying that she had been held up in the bank. A thug is a thug is a thug no matter what their skin color, yet she felt the need to define them in that manner.
I am not a young person any longer and certainly knew my parents feelings very quickly when it came to the races. Yet I was able to reject their feelings on this matter when, one Sunday, a black family joined our church and everyone was up in arms about it. The attitude just never seemed very "christian" to me even as as a youngster.
And, no, I don't tell racial or sexist jokes about anyone as it is too easy to turn the tables and have things become ugly very fast.

[gocubsgo]

She called her black busboys "My little monkey's" and said she likes to keep the "light skinned negroes in the front with the customers and the darker ones in the back" according to the NAACP lawsuit.

Wow...no wonder she's toast!

[BobnBev]

She called her black busboys "My little monkey's" and said she likes to keep the "light skinned negroes in the front with the customers and the darker ones in the back" according to the NAACP lawsuit.

Wow...no wonder she's toast!

And you believe everything the naacp says?

[Monkei]

And you believe everything the naacp says?

Well gee ... Why would the woman apologize? Do you believe every apology people make? There is plenty of smoke and fire here.

[casita37]

AND...she says she thought it was OK to tell racists jokes because most jokes are about blacks, Jews or rednecks. Later she added Mexicans and someone else (?). Piece of work....can't blame that on her southern heritage and upbringing.

[JP]

Paula Deen is groveling. I am not familiar with her show, but groveling always seems so....cringeworthy. Just fess up that you were a product of the times you grew up in, that you've grown up and evolved now, and move on. With a little dignity please.

I agree. She's 66, maybe she should just retire and consider moving to the villages!

[nitehawk]

I agree. She's 66, maybe she should just retire and consider moving to the villages!

and open a restaurant !!! yea

[BobnBev]

Well gee ... Why would the woman apologize? Do you believe every apology people make? There is plenty of smoke and fire here.
Actually, no, I don't

[BobnBev]

and open a restaurant !!! yea

That allows dogs on the patio. :pepper2::evil6::popcorn:

[graciegirl]

There is a little bit of bad in the best of us and a little bit of good in the worst of us.


There are degrees of bad and good.

There is wrong and REALLY wrong. There used to be mortal and venial sin when we micks were younger, I mean Catholics.

Old habits die hard.

None of us KNOW her, she may be just not terribly umm sophisticated or she may be mean as a snake.

Hopefully, we are all changing and growing and learning over time. Hopefully.

Maybe I can learn something from this mess.

[mickey100]

I agree. She's 66, maybe she should just retire and consider moving to the villages!

I think some of us would prefer she move somewhere else.

[mickey100]

But her brother's "plantation" wedding is not so far into the past. She defines the waiters that she saw in the other restaurant as "fine, middle-aged gentlemen" which, to me, indicates that they are fine because they"know their place." How could she possibly know anything about them by just seeing them in their place of employment? And she excuses her use of the "N" word many years ago by saying that she had been held up in the bank. A thug is a thug is a thug no matter what their skin color, yet she felt the need to define them in that manner.
I am not a young person any longer and certainly knew my parents feelings very quickly when it came to the races. Yet I was able to reject their feelings on this matter when, one Sunday, a black family joined our church and everyone was up in arms about it. The attitude just never seemed very "christian" to me even as as a youngster.
And, no, I don't tell racial or sexist jokes about anyone as it is too easy to turn the tables and have things become ugly very fast.

Well said.

[tucson]

I want to know why after all the years Lisa Jackson (btw, a white woman) who was a Mgr. for Paula Deen, decided to sue her now? Hmmmm.... I'm also wondering if the comments she made were so horrible, (if she did make them to her black employees) why didn't they come out and sue her instead of the white woman mgr.??? I smell a conspiracy here between alot of people that worked for PD. "Those without sin, cast the first stone"

[CFrance]

To all the people wondering why it's okay for blacks to use the N word but not okay for whites to use it... I can call my brother a useless, lazy jerk, but YOU better not call my brother that. I'm sure there's a name for that condition, but I can't come up with it. Family loyalty comes to mind, or blood being thicker than water.

(And my brother was not a useless, lazy jerk.)

[tucson]

When my husband was a chef at a very well known hotel , there were 2 black cooks there (who were friends) & always conversing back & forth w/each other and constantly would make comments like, you're a "field-ni--er" and " you're a "house ni--er". No one in 20+ yrs of their employment ever filed any lawsuits, (btw, it was a union hotel) !! It's ok to say anything to your own race, nationality,etc, etc. But , it's NOT ok for someone who the remarks are not even directed to, to run to a lawyer w/the motive to make $$$$$ ????

[redwitch]

For the supporters of Ms. Deen, take the time to read her deposition. Her words are not pretty when read and, as has been said, she is clueless as to what she is saying, which is really sad. For the detractors, read her deposition and pity the fact she really does not understand how ugly those words were and are. I've known many people like her, including my former mother-in-law (for whom the best thing I could say is she raised a wonderful son).

I don't understand bigotry, stereotyping. As I said, I've seen it and I've seen the ugliness caused by it. I still have occasional nightmares from seeing the results of a lynching when I was around 7.

My father was a Southerner and, even worse, a hillbilly to the core (Harlan County, KY). He joined the Army underage, under-educated, bigoted as any person could get. While in the Army, he got his Ph.D., died as a full bird. He quickly learned his beliefs were dead wrong. I'm not convinced that his core ever really believed that fact (it is hard to ever leave your childhood beliefs totally behind) but there's no question he worked hard to have those beliefs stop with him.

He worked very hard to make sure his children did not have those prejudices. We were taught that any word that denigrated another was not acceptable. We were taught to judge a man by his deeds, not the color of his skin. I don't think this was always easy for him but he felt it was the right thing to do.

There is no way he would have ever used the words Paula Deen did in his home or in public. He would not have wanted a plantation-style wedding for me. He would have been thrilled that our best man was Scotty (a tall, incredibly dark-skinned man who had all of the virtues my father admired). He would have welcomed Harvey, our groomsman (a very short Puerto Rican), into his home. He would have thought Sherry, my bridesmaid (a tiny Japanese girl), was stunning. Strangely, I never thought there was anything unusual about the choices my husband and I made for those we wanted to actively participate in our wedding. Sadly, his mother did and commented quite vocally about those choices (she was Polish from a small town in Pennsylvania). His mother is a Paula Deen -- people should know their place and stay in it but never would that be said in public. UGH

[casita37]

Did anyone watch Paula on Today, this morning? You had to feel a little sorry for her....kinda, but she denied ever, EVER, using "that" word except that one time 30 years ago in the bank. She said she was not raised to be racial or prejudiced. So, basically, she took the one thing that people have used to defend her and tossed that out the window. Matt tried to question her about having said she used the word and now saying she had never used it (1 time only). He didn't get a real straight answer, just an avow that she NEVER used it, so there goes the "at least she told the truth" theory.

Bless her heart, at the end she even said "I is what I is". Good grief!! Someone get her a better PR firm....LOL

I think she's probably toast. Oh well, she can write a book about the experience and make the talk show circuit. She'll be fine, but a lot of employees will suffer. That's a shame.

[coralway]

When my husband was a chef at a very well known hotel , there were 2 black cooks there (who were friends) & always conversing back & forth w/each other and constantly would make comments like, you're a "field-ni--er" and " you're a "house ni--er". No one in 20+ yrs of their employment ever filed any lawsuits, (btw, it was a union hotel) !! It's ok to say anything to your own race, nationality,etc, etc. But , it's NOT ok for someone who the remarks are not even directed to, to run to a lawyer w/the motive to make $$$$$ ????







Interesting story - but what does it have to do with what Deen said?

[ilovetv]

The bottom line is Deen is a media product and she sells her brand.

The media are now cashing in on her by continuing to milk this cow dry. We would not even know about this story if that were not the situation.

[blueash]

Let's be real here. We're all from an era when those words were acceptable. She is is a product of her time and public humiliation because of the past is absurd.

I cannot judge your upbringing, but in my home there was absolutely no question that the holding of bigoted thoughts or the use of any language which was derogotory toward another race, religion, or nationality was completely unacceptable. Many people, including many posters on this thread, who had more exposure to bigots than did I have managed to overcome their upbringing and see those beliefs as abhorent. If Ms Deen made these statements 30 years ago, that would be 1983. She would have been in her mid-30's and you can be quite sure that all Americans knew that the use of the "N" word in 1983 would be extremely offensive to those who didn't share the same bigoted beliefs.

[John_W]

Did anyone watch Paula on Today, this morning? You had to feel a little sorry for her....kinda, but she denied ever, EVER, using "that" word except that one time 30 years ago in the bank. She said she was not raised to be racial or prejudiced...

When I saw her face on the Today show, it reminded me so much of Jimmy Swaggart and those crocodile tears.

http://www.libertyadvocate.com/Judgin1.jpg

http://1-ps.googleusercontent.com/x/www.thehollywoodgossip.com/images.thehollywoodgossip.com/iu/t_xlarge_l/v1372271249/xpoor-paula-deen-photo.jpg.pagespeed.ic.MuisvmiN6m.jpg



;

[ilovetv]

If this Deen woman is such a repugnant racist, why are y'all watching her now that this is known? The media people who created her and the competitors who are now milking this story to death by having the audience glued to "the unfolding DRAMA" are laughing all the way to the bank!

Is it because Matt Lauer and the other talking heads didn't have anything else of substance to talk about? Or is it because their other stuff was just of too little interest to viewers like us?

[nitehawk]

For the supporters of Ms. Deen, take the time to read her deposition. Her words are not pretty when read and, as has been said, she is clueless as to what she is saying, which is really sad. For the detractors, read her deposition and pity the fact she really does not understand how ugly those words were and are. I've known many people like her, including my former mother-in-law (for whom the best thing I could say is she raised a wonderful son).

I don't understand bigotry, stereotyping. As I said, I've seen it and I've seen the ugliness caused by it. I still have occasional nightmares from seeing the results of a lynching when I was around 7.

My father was a Southerner and, even worse, a hillbilly to the core (Harlan County, KY). He joined the Army underage, under-educated, bigoted as any person could get. While in the Army, he got his Ph.D., died as a full bird. He quickly learned his beliefs were dead wrong. I'm not convinced that his core ever really believed that fact (it is hard to ever leave your childhood beliefs totally behind) but there's no question he worked hard to have those beliefs stop with him.

He worked very hard to make sure his children did not have those prejudices. We were taught that any word that denigrated another was not acceptable. We were taught to judge a man by his deeds, not the color of his skin. I don't think this was always easy for him but he felt it was the right thing to do.

There is no way he would have ever used the words Paula Deen did in his home or in public. He would not have wanted a plantation-style wedding for me. He would have been thrilled that our best man was Scotty (a tall, incredibly dark-skinned man who had all of the virtues my father admired). He would have welcomed Harvey, our groomsman (a very short Puerto Rican), into his home. He would have thought Sherry, my bridesmaid (a tiny Japanese girl), was stunning. Strangely, I never thought there was anything unusual about the choices my husband and I made for those we wanted to actively participate in our wedding. Sadly, his mother did and commented quite vocally about those choices (she was Polish from a small town in Pennsylvania). His mother is a Paula Deen -- people should know their place and stay in it but never would that be said in public. UGH

You seem to have lived a very exciting life - you should really write a book about your experiences. Did you see the lynching (at the age of 7 ) or just the results of it ? I have some close friend from the rural area of Kentucky and would never think of calling them "hillbills" Urban Dictionary: hillbilly
Urban Dictionary: hillbilly (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hillbilly‎)
Often used as an insult and racial slur against White folks who live in the country
But sometimes we all make mistakes about being politically correct.
Would I be correct if I stopped your services because you called someone else a "H-------"

[lpkshop]

She was a disgrace...I love those apologies that start out with..IF I OFFENDED ANYONE..
Really ..another star power person who thought she was above it all.

[gocubsgo]

" I is what I is" ??? I see Hooked on Phonics worked for her!

[redwitch]

You seem to have lived a very exciting life - you should really write a book about your experiences. Did you see the lynching (at the age of 7 ) or just the results of it ? I have some close friend from the rural area of Kentucky and would never think of calling them "hillbills" Urban Dictionary: hillbilly
Urban Dictionary: hillbilly (http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=hillbilly‎)
Often used as an insult and racial slur against White folks who live in the country
But sometimes we all make mistakes about being politically correct.
Would I be correct if I stopped your services because you called someone else a "H-------"

Saw the results.

My father called himself a Kentucky hillbilly to the day he died. He was proud of those roots and proud of what he had accomplished. My grandfather was sheriff of Harlan County, Kentucky. My uncle was the town mortician, my aunt a head nurse. Two other uncles were coal miners. All the men were moonshiners. I do not nor have I ever called anyone other than a family member a hillbilly.

I've never said that I believe Paula Deen should be fired for what she said. Personally, I think everyone should be able to choose to buy her products or not, to watch her shows or not. Her sponsors have the right to decide whether to use her as a spokesperson or not, but I'm not convinced they made the right decision.

I do believe she is more prejudiced than she knows and has little understanding of how denigrating some of her words were. From everything I have heard and seen of Ms. Deen, she is a charming, warm person. I have not seen her interviews since this whole mess started. I did read her entire deposition and did flinch at some of her comments.

[tucson]

I've heard some very discriminating "jokes" regarding blacks and slang expressions from "so-calledcomrdians" that earn big bucks from all kinds of entertainment enterprises and are populated by people of all races who pay $$$$ to listen to their vile jokes. How do they get away with it? What difference are they when compared to PD?! C'mon now.... let's get real....

[Challenger]

Unfortunately for her(PD) suffers from a bad case of "foot in mouth desease" If she had hired a good profrssional public relations specialist early on , I suspect she would have fared better with the press and others. Most of us have indulged in these gaffs in our past but understand that a quick heart felt apology ,early on, not a sobbing somwhat ingenuous appearing pitty party works better, The press is hoping that you will make a slip and PD does quite frequently. another example" I is what I is" . If I were of African heritage (at this time in our history) I would think that this phrase was mocking me.

Please Paula get some help

[janmcn]

Target just announced it will phase out all Paula Deen products. Add Target to the list which includes Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and many others. Her sponsors are paying attention and are throwing her under the bus.

[Monkei]

If this Deen woman is such a repugnant racist, why are y'all watching her now that this is known? The media people who created her and the competitors who are now milking this story to death by having the audience glued to "the unfolding DRAMA" are laughing all the way to the bank!

Is it because Matt Lauer and the other talking heads didn't have anything else of substance to talk about? Or is it because their other stuff was just of too little interest to viewers like us?

No it's because she is a real life train wreck ... We all love us some real life train wrecks. This is a good one happening in slow motion.

[Monkei]

I've heard some very discriminating "jokes" regarding blacks and slang expressions from "so-calledcomrdians" that earn big bucks from all kinds of entertainment enterprises and are populated by people of all races who pay $$$$ to listen to their vile jokes. How do they get away with it? What difference are they when compared to PD?! C'mon now.... let's get real....

Are you serious, you can't tell the difference?

You can't tell the difference between cutting edge comedy to that of real life?

[ilovetv]

Target just announced it will phase out all Paula Deen products. Add Target to the list which includes Wal-Mart, Home Depot, and many others. Her sponsors are paying attention and are throwing her under the bus.


That happened with Martha Stewart, too. But she reinvented herself after doing her time and is probably making more money than ever. If the media can make money off her again, they will. America has a short memory and many politicians and celebrities cash in on that short memory. (Anthony Weiner is using that short memory to his advantage right now.)

Food Network's competitors are probably salivating to make her a new deal. All this media coverage and "unfolding drama" are making her far better known to all the audiences who didn't know her before.

[Indydealmaker]

The definition of Racism has been so twisted and mutilated, it is now possible to be called racist if you pick the wrong color crayon out of the box. It is now illegal to even recognize that someone is of a different race than yourself. In reality, those defining racism these days are actually, by their own rules, being racist.

[tucson]

Are you serious, you can't tell the difference?

You can't tell the difference between cutting edge comedy to that of real life?

There is NO difference, either way people doing this are BOTH as guilty of racism.

[Monkei]

There is NO difference, either way people doing this are BOTH as guilty of racism.

Ok, I guess we just agree to disagree, I still think a white person using the "n" word is a lot different in the meaning than when a black person uses it.

[tucson]

It is not right if a white person uses the N word, but black people also call other black persons the N word as well. Comedians use the N word in their "stage acts"...etc,. I believe they're ALL discrimination and racial slurs.

[Taltarzac725]

It is not right if a white person uses the N word, but black people also call other black persons the N word as well. Comedians use the N word in their "stage acts"...etc,. I believe they're ALL discrimination and racial slurs.

I do believe context is extremely important with words like those used long ago supposedly by Paula Dean. This seems to be more about marketing than about injustice and discrimination.

Comedians say stuff to one another and to audiences that would never pass in polite society. The Aristocrats joke for instance. I really doubt if even the most offensive comedian say would sound off at an occasion like a funeral, graduation, elementary dance recital especially if these involved members of their own family. Maybe they would be they would also hardly be surprised by the consequences.

[Maryland Girl]

Have you read the deposition? It certainly changed my mind about the situation. Can't support Paula after reading that.

I may be incorrect, but isn't this the deposition of Lisa Jackson who is suing Paula, et al? In other words, these are Lisa Jackson's accusations of what Paula may/may not have said and/or done. The case has not gone to trial as far as I know.

I have read the following but can't verify if it is correct. Lisa Jackson's attorney sent Paula a letter asking for in excess of $1 million to settle or she would sue. Paula refused and so the suit is going forward. Now we better understand why corporations are so willing to settle out of court.

Also, according to Paula, she used the n word as the result of a man who she helped get a loan from the bank where she worked robbing the bank and putting a gun to her head. Until I've walked in her shoes, I simply can't condemn her. She has asked for forgiveness and so I forgive her.

I totally agree that she is groveling and should stop apologizing publicly. It is my understanding she has done many good deeds for people over the years. Maybe they should start speaking out but she should stop talking.

[tucson]

I do believe context is extremely important with words like those used long ago supposedly by Paula Dean. This seems to be more about marketing than about injustice and discrimination.

Comedians say stuff to one another and to audiences that would never pass in polite society. The Aristocrats joke for instance. I really doubt if even the most offensive comedian say would sound off at an occasion like a funeral, graduation, elementary dance recital especially if these involved members of their own family. Maybe they would be they would also hardly be surprised by the consequences.

What really bothers me is when people(comedians, whites, blacks,whoever) denegrate and laugh at, make fun of, whether they make money doing it or not, it (to me) is all the same types of racial discrimination.

[ilovetv]

This is not about an employer-employee situation, but:

Since when does the mere use in conversation of an ugly, degrading word equate to "racism" which to me means to HARM the person or group???

Just because a person calls another person a degrading term or expletive does not mean that he/she would actually cause that person harm. Many times people use expletives or call people a name simply because they are exasperated and fed up with a situation, not because they "hate" that person because of his color/race!

"Hate" and "hatred" are being thrown around far too often, too, implying that "the hater" is going to do a "hate crime" (i.e. to a minority or gay victim), when in reality the person simply DISLIKES that other person for various reasons.

With the way things are going, pretty soon we aren't going to be able to say we DISLIKE a person!!! Already, people are being timid and vague, saying, "I have issues with him....." instead of saying the truth which is, "I don't like him...he's always been a jerk (or pompous a$$) to me."

It's like the Thought & Speech Police are on patrol and prosecuting truthful, meaningful speech that we're supposed to have the right and freedom of speech to say.

[asianthree]

Paula's new book to be released in october is already on amazon 1st list...the crew from the chew are standing behind her, saying only kind words about her.

[ilovetv]

Paula's new book to be released in october is already on amazon 1st list...the crew from the chew are standing behind her, saying only kind words about her.

"The crew from the chew"??

[CFrance]

"The crew from the chew"??

It's a talk show/cooking show. The Chew - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Chew)

[graciegirl]

This is not about an employer-employee situation, but:

Since when does the mere use in conversation of an ugly, degrading word equate to "racism" which to me means to HARM the person or group???

Just because a person calls another person a degrading term or expletive does not mean that he/she would actually cause that person harm. Many times people use expletives or call people a name simply because they are exasperated and fed up with a situation, not because they "hate" that person because of his color/race!

"Hate" and "hatred" are being thrown around far too often, too, implying that "the hater" is going to do a "hate crime" (i.e. to a minority or gay victim), when in reality the person simply DISLIKES that other person for various reasons.

With the way things are going, pretty soon we aren't going to be able to say we DISLIKE a person!!! Already, people are being timid and vague, saying, "I have issues with him....." instead of saying the truth which is, "I don't like him...he's always been a jerk (or pompous a$$) to me."

It's like the Thought & Speech Police are on patrol and prosecuting truthful, meaningful speech that we're supposed to have the right and freedom of speech to say.

When you say it that way it makes a lot of sense.

We have a right to dislike anything or anyone. We have no right to harm them. We all have values and they differ. We have a right to our own values.

[bluedog103]

Many people will lose their jobs because of all this. Seems like the innocent bystanders always get caught in the crossfire. With work hard to come by, it's a shame for people
who have done nothing wrong to lose their incomes.

[perrjojo]

Many people will lose their jobs because of all this. Seems like the innocent bystanders always get caught in the crossfire. With work hard to come by, it's a shame for people
who have done nothing wrong to lose their incomes.

:BigApplause:
I agree 100%

It is interesting that today I was reading comments on another blog and many were saying how offensive she was because of this and that. Many times the posters called her a f'ing idiot and used that term many times on the thread.....Now THAT IS OFFENSIVE to me. It amazes me that so many think she has used offensive language but feel perfectly comfortable using THAT term.

[tucson]

Said perfectly, most people do not see their own prejudices when speaking, it's amazing.......

[DaleMN]

She are what she are. :doh:

[gocubsgo]

I read this morning her publisher dumped her and her new cookbook due to be released in October is a no go. It's getting to the point where Vegas could start odds on what company is next in the Deen Dump. What a shame, really. I never liked her but to see someone have it all and then throw it away is just sad.

[Parker]

I am not familiar with her or her work, but I really don't much care what she said. I would care much more about what she has done. It's the actions of a person that tell us who they really are.

[Maryland Girl]

I read this morning her publisher dumped her and her new cookbook due to be released in October is a no go. It's getting to the point where Vegas could start odds on what company is next in the Deen Dump. What a shame, really. I never liked her but to see someone have it all and then throw it away is just sad.

Does this make sense as a business decision if she still has a high level of public support, which appears to be the case? Anyone thinking corporate shake down?

[DonH57]

The whole thing really is a shame. Every one of these incidents get spun completely out of control and it's the top of the world for the media. Her first mistake was improper damage control. She only should have simply made one statement and kept her mouth shut after that. When you find yourself in a hole, stop digging.

[perrjojo]

The definition of Racism has been so twisted and mutilated, it is now possible to be called racist if you pick the wrong color crayon out of the box. It is now illegal to even recognize that someone is of a different race than yourself. In reality, those defining racism these days are actually, by their own rules, being racist.


Do I ever agree with your statement. There are three words that seem to be used interchangeably but have very different meanings...racist...prejudiced and bigoted. Most people are racist, meaning that they prefer those of their own race (whatever that might be). Predujice meaning making a judgement without knowing the facts and bigot which is one who is intolerant of any opinionnbut his own. All people are racist but because we are intelligent and hopefully empathic beings, we try to move beyond our instinctual feelings. Please learn to use the correct word when identifying an emotion and it is an emotion, not a fact!

[SALYBOW]

I believe that what she said is unacceptable but that is not all she has done IMHO. She plays on her "Southernism" but that does give her the right make snide remarks about other areas or to make crass remarks about the South. I think she has not incorporated an adequate "filter" in her speech or in her actions. Now, however, she is faced with no longer being everyone's little sweetie and she is scrambling to excuse herself. I personally think it is time to hand the dynasty on to her sons. She talks about how during the riots black people spoke badly about white people as do Rappers. Maybe her Mom forgot to tell her "Two wrong nevr make a right." Just Saying!

[janmcn]

The corporations that have dropped Ms Deen: The Food Network, Wal-Mart, Target, Smithfield Farms, QVC, K-Mart, Sears, J C Penney, Home-Depot, etc. have one thing in common. They are all big corporations that have big legal departments and big public relations departments. It seems after all the facts became known, these companies decided Ms Deen was more of a liability than an asset.