Paula Deen racist?

[roomthreeseventeen]

Wrong is wrong, the word shouldn't be used PERIOD. I think it is wrong when it is used in the black community. IF what you say is true and it is used to take away power, then that power is so defused it could never be brought back to life. I say go after the creeps dong the rap and preaching the N word and violence towards women, that seems to get over looked, yet a woman who used this word while being robbed with a gun in her face is wrong. WOW.

ETA, How is it their right? This is perpetuating racism. One race can do something, but another race can't. Call me confused, but this is just really out there.

As a white person, it is not for me to say how Black people use words that have been used against them in so many ways. I am uncomfortable hearing that word from anyone, period, but I am only responsible for me.

 

[primgirl]

I don't really either. I just know it's not ok for me to use it. Ever.

This! I'm a 38 year old white women and it's never ok for me to use that word. I can honestly say that I have never used that word. EVER!

 

[EMom]

This! I'm a 38 year old white women and it's never ok for me to use that word. I can honestly say that I have never used that word. EVER!

When I hear a youngish (under 40) Black person use that word, it says to me that they have no clue what their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., went through to make sure the word was unacceptable. It screams of a lack of respect for the struggles their ancestors went through to change so many things, among them the use of such a word. If they truly grasped the magnitude of it all, they would have let the word become less than a whisper on the wind instead of blasting it from speakers.

 

[primgirl]

When I hear a youngish (under 40) Black person use that word, it says to me that they have no clue what their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., went through to make sure the word was unacceptable. It screams of a lack of respect for the struggles their ancestors went through to change so many things, among them the use of such a word. If they truly grasped the magnitude of it all, they would have let the word become less than a whisper on the wind instead of blasting it from speakers.

I totally agree with this.

 

[mhsjax]

When I hear a youngish (under 40) Black person use that word, it says to me that they have no clue what their parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., went through to make sure the word was unacceptable. It screams of a lack of respect for the struggles their ancestors went through to change so many things, among them the use of such a word. If they truly grasped the magnitude of it all, they would have let the word become less than a whisper on the wind instead of blasting it from speakers.

I agree 100%

 

[capegirl]

The fact that Paula Deen is a public figure, who has inspired so many women makes it a particularly sad situation. Paula Deen is a self made woman who took her talent for down home cooking to a new level, resulting in a wildly successful career. Paula is not your typical next door neighbor, she is a celebrity, and with that celebrity comes accountability. When you put yourself out there you need to be prepared to have every detail of your past, and present scrutinized; like it or not your truth will be exposed. Paula Deen is not unlike other celebrities and/or politicians who have proven to us time and again that 'common sense is uncommon'. We can only hope that Paula's apology was sincere, and that she was humbled by this experience.

 

[mhsjax]

The fact that Paula Dean is a public figure, who has inspired so many women makes it a particularly sad situation. Paula Dean is a self made woman who took her talent for down home cooking to a new level, resulting in a wildly successful career. Paula is not your typical next door neighbor, she is a celebrity, and with that celebrity comes accountability. When you put yourself out there you need to be prepared to have every detail of your past, and present scrutinized; like it or not your truth will be exposed. Paula Dean is not unlike other celebrities and/or politicians who have proven to us time and again that 'common sense is uncommon'. We can only hope that Paula's apology was sincere, and that she was humbled by this experience.

Yet we have other celebs and sport "heroes" that have horrendous behavior and yet they are looked up too by certain demographics.

Seems many other celebs aren't held accountable for their actions and are in fact celebrated for them, specifically by the youth these days. Somehow, making millions of dollars and spending it on drugs booze and women, are all looked upon as the thing to do. YOu sure don't see these people getting fired for the first offense.

 

[Miskey]

Anyone who thinks racism is a thing of the past, needs to watch this. It is an ABC "What Would You Do" episode from a couple of years ago. It is absolutely shocking.

coincidently, tonight's episode had a segment about racism.

As far as Paula Deen, I never understood America's fascination with her from the beginning.

 

[Disneyland1084]

At least Paula Dean takes the time to meet with Make A Wish kids, unlike that coward Ina Garten, AKA Barefoot Contessa!

 

[Lynne M]

I have a question that is puzzling me for years. Always when the whole slave and N word is used people jump up like stung be a bee. I hope they do realize that the life they live today is based on those that brought their forefathers into the States.I wonder if they really wish their ancestors would not be transported to America. Would they really want to live in a third world country with 15 children,no food,poverty and sitting outside their dirt hut looking into the sky and waiting for the helicopters that would bring them food from the rich west?
That would be their real life is slavery never excised.Would people really like that and if America is so bad who don't they just return to Africa?
It is so easy. Sell all their belongings,donate the money to charity, buy a ticket a go "home".
When does this "you are guilty" end? People that keep living and digging into the past don't deserve the future.

Do you really think all people live like that in modern-day Africa? Your image of Africa is about 80 years out of date.

But even if they were 'going home' to a mud hut, I bet they'd still say it was preferable to being held prisoner in chains, and being beaten and/or killed if they didn't follow their captors' orders.

 

[PrinceOfPeace]

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.

I actually just read the deposition because I wanted to hear it from the horses mouth and not here-say. I personally don't think she is racist. However, her mouth has gotten her in trouble because she likes to "joke" around in a way, for "me personally", is inappropriate. Our words will catch up to us sooner or later. However, reading the back and forth with the lawyer, it is more about her brother Bubba and his conduct then it is hers. Why I wasted precious time reading it?....I have noooo idea!

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

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.

ITA and what about when the tables are turned and some performers use the "w-y" word to refer to caucasians? Why do we not villify them? Why is this so unbalanced?
BTW, my son has lots of good friends who are Afro American and I have heard them say to each other and even to my son who is not Afro American "What's up my n-word". I asked my son why they do that and he said it is a greeting they use for people with whom they are close....nothing to do with race I guess.
NO it is not acceptable. If you can think of a group of people who had not been persecuted at some time or another please let me know.

I DO NOT agree with Paula Deen BUT as happy girl said, we all make mistakes. Why is hers so much more horrible than people like Kanye West or any of the other performers who even use the "W" word on stage?
I do think the reeactment idea was reprehensible.

 

[chobie]

ITA and what about when the tables are turned and some performers use the "w-y" word to refer to caucasians? Why do we not villify them? Why is this so unbalanced?
BTW, my son has lots of good friends who are Afro American and I have heard them say to each other and even to my son who is not Afro American "What's up my n-word". I asked my son why they do that and he said it is a greeting they use for people with whom they are close....nothing to do with race I guess.
NO it is not acceptable. If you can think of a group of people who had not been persecuted at some time or another please let me know.

I DO NOT agree with Paula Deen BUT as happy girl said, we all make mistakes. Why is hers so much more horrible than people like Kanye West or any of the other performers who even use the "W" word on stage?
I do think the reeactment idea was reprehensible.

Because "whitey " does not have the same history. No one was ever called "whitey" while being lynched or having a cross burned on their lawn, or being told to sit at the back of the bus.


"Whitey" is not the equivalent to the n-word.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I don't believe PD is a racist. But she has always come across as a southern women who has no problem saying what she feels. She's clearly sorry, we all make mistakes. It will take some time, but she will recover.

 

[tink20]

I live in the south, racism still exists. A lot of times its seems that some of the older generation, keep hanging on to it, saying certain racist things. If they keep "teaching" it, it will never go away. My kids generation, is better (at least I feel like it) both my kids have good friends that are black. I treat people the way I want to be treated, I don't care about your race, religion, age, sex, or how much money you have. I teach my kids the same. We must quit living in the past, and move forward.

I do have one question though. Is it offensive to say, he is black? or should you say, he is African American? I know it PC to say the AA. I have always wondered if saying black was offensive.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I have never seen Paula Deen as a 'hater'.

It seems clear, from all of the feedback from this so-called big incident of racism, which side almost all of the 'haters' are coming from.

 

[kimmyann]

Because "whitey " does not have the same history. No one was ever called "whitey" while being lynched or having a cross burned on their lawn, or being told to sit at the back of the bus.


"Whitey" is not the equivalent to the n-word.

But it is equally offensive. So, it's okay that my children are called whitey & cracker at school because their grandparents weren't discriminated against? If the n word is so offensive then why do blacks call each other it? It's a double standard & we will never get over the racial tensions in this country if people don't stop making excuses. Racism is alive & well on BOTH sides. Just because someone's ancestors were treated very bad doesn't excuse it today.

 

[tink20]

But it is equally offensive. So, it's okay that my children are called whitey & cracker at school because their grandparents weren't discriminated against? If the n word is so offensive then why do blacks call each other it? It's a double standard & we will never get over the racial tensions in this country if people don't stop making excuses. Racism is alive & well on BOTH sides. Just because someone's ancestors were treated very bad doesn't excuse it today.

Very true, racism exists on all sides. About 18 years ago (whenever the whole OJ Simpson story was going on) An older black woman said something very hateful and offensive to me (I was in my early 20s) It upset me so much, that I refused to wait on her, and went to my supervisor and she went to wait on her. It just came out of nowhere, simply because I ask her how to spell her last name. I needed to look it up in the computer and I didn't understand what she said, she mumbled it.

Like I said in PP, we ALL need to move forward and teach future generations. Its not only race, look at all the kids that get bullied for all sorts of things. We all need to be kinder to one another.

 

[3 MEN AND A BOAT]

Because "whitey " does not have the same history. No one was ever called "whitey" while being lynched or having a cross burned on their lawn, or being told to sit at the back of the bus.

"Whitey" is not the equivalent to the n-word.

Maybe I'm reading this wrong, but it sounds like your defending a black persons right to use a racial word against whites simply because theirs not enough history of it for you to feel its wrong.

 

[JLiz]

I think a lot of (white) people get very upset when (black) people use the same word; i.e, "why is it okay for "them" to use it but not okay for "us" to use it?".

But, "they" aren't using the same word. It is a completely different word: different spelling and different meaning.

N***er is a racial slur used to denigrate and demoralize. N***a is used as a colloquial/slang term for a member of your peer group.

Feeling incredulous at that? Do you remember that huge dust up over the DC staffer who used niggardly and subsequently quit because people were offended? In case you don't remember, here's a link:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/daily/jan99/district27.htm

I remember so many (white) people upset that "they" (black people) were offended. I remember hearing, can't "they" tell those are two different words? Well, now I'm going to throw it back at those (white) people. Can't "you" tell ****er and ****a are two different words?

So, please stop with the phony outrage over the "injustice" of the inequality of who gets to use certain words. It's just not there.