Paula Deen racist?

[luvsJack]

http://www.wdam.com/story/22637831/paula-deen-admits-to-use-of-racial-slurs-during-deposition

What do ya'l think about this?

It makes me sad that famous southerner has done this. We have a hard enough time fighting the "racist" reputation we have without someone who is nationally loved making it look too true.

I don't understand how she can excuse using racial slurs.

 

[Acklander]

http://www.wdam.com/story/22637831/paula-deen-admits-to-use-of-racial-slurs-during-deposition

What do ya'l think about this?

It makes me sad that famous southerner has done this. We have a hard enough time fighting the "racist" reputation we have without someone who is nationally loved making it look too true.

I don't understand how she can excuse using racial slurs.

Wow. And it sounds like, she's totally comfortable saying what she said - her only concern was how it would look to outsiders. Personally, I try to keep an entertainers work seperate from their beliefs - figuring everyone is entitled to their own opinion. But, sometimes that opinion is so hateful (like Mel Gibson) that I can't watch them in their work without flashing over to the hateful opinion. It's not an intentional boycott - but I just don't like watching them anymore. I think I'm going to take a break from watching her show for a while.

 

[brockash]

I was pretty shocked and saddened to see that. I think it'll end up being very detrimental to her career, in which I think it should be. In all honesty, I'm not really sure if I truly think she's a mean-spirited, racist person, or if it's more of that was just the norm behavior during the time and the place that she grew up. Either way, it certainly doesn't excuse the complete ignorant behavior. You would think, even if it was how she was raised and what she grew up around, that by now, with all of the things that she's accomplished, that she would have known that it was not acceptable behavior, even as a joke etc.

As I've become an adult I've been stunned many times by the amount of closeminded, sometimes bigotted people in the world. I am so thankful that I was never raised that way and that I'm raising children in the same manner. I can't help but think how much better the world would be, if people would truly accepting of all and see all people as themselves.

 

[palmtreegirl]

She's always come off so fake & phony to me, it doesn't surprise me at all.

 

[happygirl]

I don't believe she a racist.

 

[Robinrs]

This came out some time ago and her brother Bubba was named, also. So sad to hear because my family, especially my son, are all big fans of their's. We have a great picture of Mike and Bubba when we ate at his restaurant, the whole situation is disheartening, but not surprising.

 

[Acklander]

I don't believe she a racist.

You do understand that what she wanted (and the use of the N word) is unacceptable, don't you?

 

[happygirl]

You do understand that what she wanted (and the use of the N word) is unacceptable, don't you?

Just because something is unacceptable doesn't make the person a racist. Was she wrong to use the word YES!! She has owned up. We all make mistakes.

 

[LongLiveDisney]

Just because something is unacceptable doesn't make the person a racist. Was she wrong to use the word YES!! She has owned up. We all make mistakes.

Okay....but the unacceptable thing she did WAS racist.

 

[luvsJack]

I was pretty shocked and saddened to see that. I think it'll end up being very detrimental to her career, in which I think it should be. In all honesty, I'm not really sure if I truly think she's a mean-spirited, racist person, or if it's more of that was just the norm behavior during the time and the place that she grew up. Either way, it certainly doesn't excuse the complete ignorant behavior. You would think, even if it was how she was raised and what she grew up around, that by now, with all of the things that she's accomplished, that she would have known that it was not acceptable behavior, even as a joke etc.

As I've become an adult I've been stunned many times by the amount of closeminded, sometimes bigotted people in the world. I am so thankful that I was never raised that way and that I'm raising children in the same manner. I can't help but think how much better the world would be, if people would truly accepting of all and see all people as themselves.

I agree with you. I don't think she sees it as racist, just the way she speaks and has grown up speaking. Doesn't make it right or excuse it, but it can explain it.

OTOH, I don't know how old Paula is but I am almost 50 and grew up in the south. And while I heard these words a lot, I was taught early on that these were not words that should be used. And my kids have always been taught the same.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

Am I reading this correctly? She called a black man that held a gun to her head the N word? I would imagine she would try to find the lowest, most hateful word for an animal like that.

As for the black, period-dressed servers at a plantation wedding? I am uncomfortable with that. But, I am sure there are many actors/servers that would grab the chance to do it. I have seen gay themed wedding where beautiful male servers with tight pants and no shirts (rubbed down with oil, of course) walked around with drinks.

I have also seen parties where women with large breasts are serving in bikinis.

All of the above are stereotypes we are trying to break.

BUT, as long as there are people lining up for the jobs, I suppose my discomfort with the situation does not matter.

 

[crashbb]

Just because something is unacceptable doesn't make the person a racist. Was she wrong to use the word YES!! She has owned up. We all make mistakes.

It does if the unacceptable thing that the person did is racist.

 

[lillygator]

why did the woman continue to work there for 5 years if she was afraid??

 

[WDSearcher]

You do understand that what she wanted (and the use of the N word) is unacceptable, don't you?

But there's also a difference between racism and ignorance. Just because someone is rich and famous doesn't mean they're necessarily smarter than the next guy.

 

[Robinrs]

You do understand that what she wanted (and the use of the N word) is unacceptable, don't you?

Just because something is unacceptable doesn't make the person a racist. Was she wrong to use the word YES!! She has owned up. We all make mistakes.

I agree with you. I don't think she sees it as racist, just the way she speaks and has grown up speaking. Doesn't make it right or excuse it, but it can explain it.

OTOH, I don't know how old Paula is but I am almost 50 and grew up in the south. And while I heard these words a lot, I was taught early on that these were not words that should be used. And my kids have always been taught the same.

The word don't bother me half as much as the wedding scenario where she wanted the waiters to tap dance and serve like slaves... This really got me.

I went on her bus tour in Savannah. In one point of the tour a little black girl jumped on the bus with a basket on her arm selling something. She was dressed like someone from Roots. I wanted to tell her "honey, you DO know we were FREED, don't you?" but my sister told me to sit down! Now I sort of understand it.

 

[luvsJack]

The word don't bother me half as much as the wedding scenario where she wanted the waiters to tap dance and serve like slaves... This really got me.

I went on her bus tour in Savannah. In one point of the tour a little black girl jumped on the bus with a basket on her arm selling something. She was dressed like someone from Roots. I wanted to tell her "honey, you DO know we were FREED, don't you?" but my sister told me to sit down! Now I sort of understand it.

Yeah, I cannot imagine on what planet she really thought this was ok!!

There are many beautiful old plantation homes in this state and most do weddings. Somehow I don't think that this idea would be part of the package. At least I certainly hope not!

 

[Acklander]

Am I reading this correctly? She called a black man that held a gun to her head the N word? I would imagine she would try to find the lowest, most hateful word for an animal like that.

matter.

From what I read, she didn't call the robber the N word, she used the N word to describe the robber to others. And she stated that she used the N word at other times.

 

[Social Worker Sue]

The word don't bother me half as much as the wedding scenario where she wanted the waiters to tap dance and serve like slaves... This really got me.

This was the part I was uncomfortable with too. Although I took "a desire to have African Americans dressed in "long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties, you know in the Shirley Temple days, they used to tap dance around" as more of a paid minstrel entertainer, not as a slave.

Either way, as a guest, I would be mortified.

But, again, I bet black actors would line up by the hundreds to do a paid presentation like that. Some people look at things differently.

 

[happygirl]

She was catering the wedding itself? Wouldn't that mean the people who hired her were the ones requesting the staff to dress a certain way?

 

[Robinrs]

This was the part I was uncomfortable with too. Although I took "a desire to have African Americans dressed in "long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow ties, you know in the Shirley Temple days, they used to tap dance around" as more of a paid minstrel entertainer, not as a slave.

Either way, as a guest, I would be mortified.

But, again, I bet black actors would line up by the hundreds to do a paid presentation like that. Some people look at things differently.

why did the woman continue to work there for 5 years if she was afraid??

The minstrel shows originated by whites that dressed up as slaves in black face to entertain -- six of one, half dozen of the other. http://chnm.gmu.edu/courses/jackson/minstrel/minstrel.html

Like the woman who continued to work in fear and the actors who would tap dance, all of us know someone who would do anything for a paycheck.