Seriously, the lady is old, she grew up during segregation. I don’t understand Why this is such a SHOCKING event. She’s from GEORGIA. We were not exactly racially enlightened when she was born. I know someone who said one of the most cringe worthy moments of their lives was when he was shopping in Georgia and his hostess asked the grocery store employee if they had any “nigger toes.” She meant Brazil Nuts. Apparently she was unaware that was an offensive term. She literally did not know any other name for the nut. It’s CRAZY!
From my personal experience, when I was growing up in Georgia, “chink shoes” were very popular. They were a black cloth kind of mary jane sort of shoe. I called them chink shoes as well. One day I said it in front of my mother and she was appalled. I had no idea why… I thought “chink” was the sort of fabric. My feeling on this is …and it is probably a Maya Angelou thing but I am not sure, “When you know better, you do better.” It was a different time when she came along.
What do you think? Does she get no credit for telling the truth?
Ugh, it is just an uncomfortable thing. I think she has to be held at a higher standard simply because she is in the public eye. She had Oprah at her home, would she have said N Toes to Oprah??? I wish her success but I think she has lost her appeal. She has a history of these kind of inflammatory statements, this is not her first time. She probably is not a racist but is in need of a new publicist for sure. Is it still racial tense in Georgia?
Isabella,I agree this subject for me has always been an uncomfortable subject and with all due respect, Paula Deen did not say that offensive word last week, when she was tossing her potatoes on food network in lots of mayo…She said it 30 years ago…again THIRTY yrs ago !!!!… I hope no one judges me as some have with Paula for things I did 30 yrs. ago… SMH
Isabella J, if you drive 60 miles further from my home in south Georgia, you would be in Florida. In my little town, of which I am very proud, there is little to no racial tension. We have gone to school and work together since 1971. We work on problems like the graduation rate and teenage pregnancies together. When I grew up, segregation was the law of the land, but as TT said, when you know better you do better. While I am not judging Paula on something she did 40 years ago, I do find it dishonorable to allow your brother to sexually harass your workers and to view pornography at work. I understand and even loved a brother who had problems. I would have never allowed my brother to be drunk in my classroom for even one second. If she had put her brother, Bubba, on notice, she might have avoided this whole scandal. As for me personally, I accept her apology. Now, about that diabetes problem and her deal with big pharma about insulin, that I hold her responsible for.
So I had to go back in and add the pic twice…. and unfortunately, my view was solely of her neck. Dear Lord, ain’t that punishment enough?
Also I HATE HATE HATE when people say the n word or the c word or whatever other word they think is too bad to say or type, For fucksake we all know what word you mean quit giving it so much MEANING. If everyone gives a WORD so much meaning, randomly…. it only increases it’s usage.
HAVE YOU LOST YOUR MIND OR MERELY FOUND YOUR CRACK PIPE??Because someone was born during segregation 60 years ago in NO WAY excuses bigotry TODAY. Slavery didn’t end during Paula Deen’s life. It ended in 1865.
Paula is the head of a multi-million dollar empire and as such might it be too much to ask her to adhere to non-bigoted comments in her workplace?!! To even suggest because she is older (60 isn’t ‘old’ in my book) or lives in a particular State in anyway excuses her referring to Black employees as Niggers is beyond insensitive. For Paula Deen to think it’s a good idea for her restaurant to host a themed event in which her Black employees dress and act like Slaves- IGNORANT. But then again she excused her brother Bubba’s sexual harassment of their female restaurant manager because ‘he is addicted to porn.’
Tamra- newsflash: words like NIgger, Cunt and Faggot are not merely words that have ‘so much meaning’ because people only refer to them by their first letter. They are words cloaked in historic hatred and bigotry. They are words that also invoke decades of lynch mobs, rapes and senseless killings. To suggest someone who has achieved such fame & wealth be held to a lesser standard that any 4 year old in this Country should be held to is ridiculous.
Wish you would HATE HATE HATE bigotry in any form instead of trying to justify conduct that will surely cost Paula Deen sponsors, fans and money.
Spare us all from the Faux outrage and get a life.
Go shove some butter down your throat and spare us your endless ignorance.
What’s wrong with the word cunt? I love that word. Damn.
BRAVO!!!!!!! you speak with knowledge and I like how you let the “owner of the blog” YES I know its TT blog she can say whatever….but respectfully let her know when that Paula is 60 that is not old for the excuse to be she was raised then ……..whatever miss me with that PD got caught being a bigot now she must pay the price and no this didnt happen 30yrs ago is it alright when they grew up in the south????because it seems that what “people” are trying to say to justify PD ignorance. Just think of the things that the public do not know…..
Amen. Amen. Amen. How ridiculous.
“Crack pipe” – just realized what a classy erudite post this was. {sarcasm}
Oops! We have another TeeCee running a muck.
Thanks for the compliment!
You all realize she made this comment 30 years ago about the man that held a gun to her head in a robbery. She didn’t call her employee that name. She didn’t go on tv calling Oprah that name. She does not deserve this
So much has been made of this “Slave” dinner, that never happened. I would bet there has been numerous “Gone With The Wind” theme parties in Hollywood and around the country over the years. But because the theme was GWTW, and not “Slave” it is ok. This is a perfect example of the power we give to a single word.
It reminds me of the absurdity of Kenya’s infamous twirl on RHOA as she declared she was Gone With The Wind Fabulous.Even though she is black, I don’t think anyone called her the “r word”, but she was called stupid because her reference was ridiculously comical in context.
Congrats Leslie- you continue to write new chapters in the “Bigotry Excuse Book”. Having a “Gone With The Wind” party where you request your female guests to dress in hoop skirts and the men in tails and top hats….no problem. The UNACCEPTABLE IGNORANCE comes in when you tell the Black hired waitstaff they are to dress and act as slaves at your event.
Leslie- how about you wearing a white pointed hood over your face with eye holes cut out as your greet your guests for your “Gone With the Wind” party? Might you claim that as a simple fashionable hat?? in lieu of other forms of outdoor lighting why not burn crosses in your lawn and then claim them as mere tiki torches… WTF
She wanted the waiters to wear suites and dress up. How some of you are getting “slaves” out of that is astonishing. She wanted to employ black men, that is NOT racist. If she only wanted whites and no blacks, now that would have been racist.
Are you people crazy?
She wanted the waiters to wear suites and dress up. How some of you are getting “slaves” out of that is astonishing. She wanted to employ black men, that is NOT discriminatory. If she only wanted whites and no blacks, now that would have been discrimination
Are you people crazy?
The WHITE woman suing her, I think we need to start digging up her background. Track down every man or woman she ever slept with, any bad thing she did since high school and plaster it everywhere and embarrass the crap out of her.
pfffttt, you’re kidding right?
maybe i don’t “get” the racist thing being i live in the pacific northwest, but this seems to be much ado about nothing. i eel that the race issue gets brought into so many things where it isn’t actually there i love pauls deen, coild she have chosen different words, for sure, but she is also of a certain age. my best friends mother was raised southern and her mother was upset when her my froends daughter was dating a man from africa. she got to know the man, and loves him dearly, the woman is in her 80’s and still uses what some would call racial slurs but it is really the language of her era. also, as a side note, my husband is training a man at his work who is black and really isn’t “getting ” the job, he just can’t do it for whatever reason and he has told my husband if he doesn’t qualify him on the job then he will claim racism. that is not cool, my husband doesn’t see color but you can bet he is now
@therealdeb, I live in California. Race issues STILL exist here – perhaps it is something that will always exist here. But, as many people have stated here, racist remarks (RACIST – that includes ALL people of “color”) must not be excused by a place you live or at a time that you grew up. Here we are in the 21st century and certainly all of us of a certain “age” have learned certain sensitivities. If you haven’t, then you just don’t care … in other words, making the remarks in THIS time, is unacceptable. Now, I agree with someone who said that Ms. Paula Deen needs a new publicist because she’d still be the love of the Food Network had she not admitted to saying any such thing. Since she has, and I’m thinking that there’s gotta be some validity to this, she’s losing more than a food cooking show. As Ms. Deen has lied to us in the past, I’m not too certain that she doesn’t feel some kinda way about African americans.
Tamara I call bullshit on you and your blog. At one point you seem to be borderline “fair” then the next you seem to justify Paula Deen’s racist attitude. Yes, I called it racist. You cannot honestly believe that Paula Deened used the N word 30 years ago when she was robbed and at gun point, and never said it again, and then magically in 2013, it comes up again. I’m not believing it. You cannot justify a persons wrong doing by their age and geographical origin. Would you say that a man from the Middle East who beats the shit of his wife and calls her derogatory names, and insist that she stays five steps behind him, only because she’s a woman, is doing what is socially acceptable in his country, or would you say it was wrong? It seems to me that you, and others, have a cavilier attitude about race and gender, until it involves you and your group. Example: you said that 60 year old Paula Deen calling someone such a hate filled term of the N word is because she grew up during segregation, and its totally acceptable, because she “she didnt know better.” But you were totally offended when Funky Dineva stated that “white people get away with stuff that black people can’t get away with.” Which in all fairness, seems about right, 80% of the time in your “great state of” Georgia. You, a white woman, actually went inside Sheree’s house and took pictures, which I felt was totally crossing the line; but it seems like Atlien and Funky had to go to court and fight much longer and harder. Maybe it’s perception, maybe it’s not. A few weeks ago, a someone posted on your blog about Michael Jackson’s daughter being a white girl crying for attention. Why did you attempt tear that person a new asshole and suggest that they never come and visit your blog again (when agod knows you could use all the hits that you can get?) when that person mention a white persons age, but when a white person mentions race, it’s “just word”? Tamara, I’m sure you’re not as dumb as you seem. As you stated, “when you know better, you do better,” when you’re 60 years old, was an ADULT during the Civil Rights movement in Georgia, then you know the impact of the “word” Nigger, especially used by “an old sweet southern woman.” You know the impact of wanting black men dressed like slaves, you know the impact of having black employees use a different bathroom than whites. You’re that stupid tamara, and neither is Paula Deen. Should she be fired from the food network? Hell yes. Is she racist? Hell yes. She turns it off and on when it suites her. of course she’s not going to use the N word in the presence of Oprah (who has the buying power of God), or while filming her show. No. Black people aren’t niggers then. They’re dollars, her livelihood, and cannot be offended. She’s no different than the Klansman that puts the white hood on to go and scare black people and burn down their homes and kills them. It’s okay while their hood is on, but when the hood is off, then they didnt mean it like that. Paula Deen, and others, should take their hoods off, say whay they feel, and own it. I’d actually respect her, if she said, yes I said, it I feel that way, and I own it. You don’t have to buy my shit, come to my resturant, or anything- I’m good. She’d have my respect. Not my dollars, she’s never had my dollars. I never thought she was a good cook, and I think her hygine isnt good enough to cook for people either. I mean, who actually taste food and put the utensil back in the pot? Do I think that you, Tamara Tattles, who has justified Paula Deen actions is racist? You’re either racist, or incredible stupid. Don’t try to give me a dissertation of how many black people you’re friendly with, how pro integration you are, what you believed in the 80’s, how you’re living on a fixed budger and could never be racist (yes I’ve heard that incredible stupid arguement that poor people cannot be racist), or that you believe in equal rights. It’s all bullshit. You cannot now, nor ever, justify wrong. What Paula Deen says and believes is ignorant, hateful, and disrespectful.
Long post, I know, but its food for thought.
get real this was 30 years ago and a different time… we all have come along way,,, baby! whites still get called honky and soda cracker and whitey… now these names are used at least that was 30 years ago . limit 2 years for sueing anyone or about anything. this is stupid . grow up get over it.we are at a different place now then then. to lose her job and ophra has made slange not that long ago and it was taped do you see any get bent over that?we use to be different thats all… until we saw our ways. fired no way!!! i will never watch another cooking show i do not suport her being fired for something 30 years ago . and i like to cook too!!! as we both work and i do my share i just use one of my wives southern living cook books.as she loves southern foods
Paula Deen’s contract with the Food Network expired on June 30. She had been under contract with them for 11 years. I have a feeling that this incident was used as reason to terminate a working relationship that had run its course. If my memory serves me correctly, Emeril Lagasse stopped working for the Food Network after 10 years. Furthermore, this entire episode could have remained secret if Paula Deen and her brother had either run their business properly or settled the law suit that led to this revelation of her using this slur. Also, let’s not forget her less-than-candid explanation on the Today show about why she kept her diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes secret while continuing to promote a high-fat, high-calorie diet that often leads to diabetes on her Food Network shows. So, in conclusion, I don’t think that she is losing her career because of this one incident. If her career takes a dive now, it may well be because she has just run her course in the public eye.
I think casual racism is still racism. I am sure what came out of her mouth was just the same old run of the mill what everyone said in those days and now she is getting burned for it. Her cooking was always incredibly unhealthy and something about her ALWAYS struck me as a little strange. She lost her contract because she tainted her lilly white southern belle image. I for one have always thought southern belles at least were polite enough to use the word colored or if they were advanced Negro.
Why are you even commenting if you don’t know the context in which she used it?
I eat healthy 80% of the time, however I am from the South and on a special occasion I do enjoy southern fried foods and rich deserts.
If you are eating Paula’s recipes everyday, you’re gonna have a problem, but if you whip one out for a family get together, I don’t see a problem.
I actually do know the context. They published the transcript on what was said and lets be real about this this woman is only 60 something years old not 106. She was a adult when the civil rights movement was at it’s peak so she had to have know better unless like I said this was just some casual racism that came out of her mouth. I am not saying she was a member of the Klan I am saying she said ‘of course’ she used the word nigger. She also wanted to plan an event with an all black waitstaff to reflect her southern heritage of having black people as servants serving the guests. Now whether she deserved to lose her contract no one asked me and I could give less than a flying piece of deep fried butter. The network fired her because her image is now tainted. Oh well….
Preach!!!!!! I do not understand why folks are giving her a pass…..
I agree with you no person should slur another for any reason, but you and I both know most all do. If they have any sense at all they do it in private under their breath. Usually when they are angry and a lot don’t mean it and wish they hadn’t said anything to begin with. That would be in a perfect world. Sad but true we don’t live in a perfect world. I haven’t caught what she said but it must have been a beaut
Paula has never said she lived in a Southern Belle type of place. She grew up poor I think and lived with her parents behind a gas station that her father ran. I do agree her food in very unhealthy. I have tried some of the recipes and they were so greasy we couldn’t eat them. I understand from Paula’s biography that her first husband beat her and she left with her kids or he left her I am not sure, but her life hasn’t been all peaches and cream. Maybe we could cut her some slack. I think she is very sorry for what she said and I think being dropped from the food net work is scaring her to death. But if on the other hand she talks trash all the time, that’s not acceptable and because she is who she is it’s OK – NOT. Maybe she should pull in her empire and live of off what she already has. It must be a boat load. Oh well just my thoughts.
This is so stupid. Paula Deen said she doesn’t use the term on a regular basis and used it during a traumatic time in her life when she was attempting to get over her agoraphobia. She was robbed while working at a bank ,at gun-point, and said she may have used the word when talking about the black man that did it.
THAT HAPPENED IN 1986. Almost 30 years ago.
FURTHERMORE, Paula Deen visited a local BBQ joint in Memphis, the Neelys BBQ and she put it on the map, had the black couple that owned it on her show, and helped them launch their own show on Food Network.
That doesn’t sound like she is racist AT ALL.
She also said she may have told jokes where blacks, gays, rednecks, jews etc were the targets of the joke. I don’t get why that is so bad?!?!?
There are comedians out there who specialize in telling racial jokes. Lisa Lampanelli is one of them. She isn’t racist either.
Can’t we get over this stuff? People screw up. They make mistakes. She apologized.
I’m so tired of politically correct police ruining people’s careers.
completely agree. I am so sad that being honest is what got her shit canned. I respect her so much for not LYING, when of course, it would have been the politically correct thing for her to do. No wonder we can never figure out how to solve the problem of race in this country. We don’t allow people to tell the truth, so the truth never gets addressed.
cammierari: in official mourning for Bruins, starting now. 🙁
🙁 very sad ending to a very exciting season…Blackhawks are a great team though and a worthy Stanley Cup champ.
Thanks puravicacostarica xoxo
Boston should be proud, not only of the Bruins but of fans like you.
I hate what political correctness has turned us into. Everyone is too scared to even tell a joke, fearing it could cost them their job, relationships, reputation and so on. It’s ridiculous.
Paula said the word nigger. Did the world come to an end? Hell no. It’s not a word I use often but I have used it. Does that make racist too?
My BFF just happens to be a black guy I’ve known since I was 16. We love to tell jokes and pull pranks on each other. He tells me fat jokes, I tell him black jokes. One day, I used the word colored and he said “I’m not a crayola, I’m a black man, or nigger If your feeling froggy.”
I gotta hand it to Paula for being honest and admitting to saying nigger and other derogatory terms, even if only in jokes. I hate when someine swears they’ve never said any of those things. Liars.
I think FN overreacted, like Aflac did when they fired Gilbert Godfrey. People need to loosen the fuck up.
Unfortunately, your “Black” friend has issues. He has a lot to learn.
Ding, ding, ding, ding — and this wins the patronizing comment of the day! Tell her what she’s won, Bob!
My friend is in his 40s, was made chief of police about a month ago, has been with the same woman for 23 years, his daughter graduated college with honors 2 weeks ago and his son is a jr in high school and star of the football team. He’s well respected and probably the hardest working person I’ve ever known, other than my dad. He is devoted to his family and makes sure his elderly parents are taken care of.
I’d say he’s doing pretty damn good for someone you think has a lot to learn.
Unfortunately “Sasha” would not know funny if it bit her face off.
TeeCee666 your are not funny, just angry. That’s very sad.
Keep talking. You’re providing a real clear sense of who you really are.
Okay skittle, show me one comment that I have made on this particular subject that defends anything that Paula Deen has ever done or said. Sad commentary on our First Amendment and on any attempt to lighten up the obviously heated debate. You’re either a rascist or an insensitive comic. Go ahead and light your torches — your irony shines bright.
O.K. Purv, so we’re going down that road. Are you sure you’re ready for the ride? Oh wait, your BFF’s husband is black. Would you like to bring him along.
lol are you mentally retarded? I am asking for a friend…It’s fine if you are, I just would prefer to know if you have all of your faculties in advance.
:-{}
I’m confused. Did your kid draw that. Or are you sucking on something.
I’m sorry if you didn’t get it…That is a wet sloppy kiss for TT. Not for you.
Oh, I got it Purv. You’re sucking ass. Commonly know as brown nosing.
Brillke, it is now phat for those of us who are not skinny girls. (Noting the absurdity here.). Heck, even skinny is now a derogatory term as is suggesting somebody eat a cheeseburger if they are underweight. 🙂
But, I can recognize insecurity.
Unfortunately, if you feel jokingly calling someone nigger and calling someone fat are comparable jokes.. then you truly do have a lot to learn. Some people feel they have to be o.k. with that type of humor in order to fit in. Even Police Chiefs.
But, hey, if you’re like being called that, I love it.
This is clearly someone without a lot of interracial interactions. Come back when you have spent sometime not only in the black community but also with interracial couples. My BFF is also married to a black chief of police who is quite well known and wrote a book about the sniper shootings. So don’t lecture me until you can say you’ve been where I have been and have shared or experienced what I or others haves shared of experienced.
You don’t have a clue. You can only talk about what your BFFs, and others have experienced and what you’ve seen “in the black community.) Believe me, it is not the same. When you gain personal experience, which I doubt you can, then you can intelligently join the conversation. Right now, you are on the outside looking in.
Didn’t realize you knew so much about my personal life or what race I consider myself. Thanks for proving my point.
Pura – Based on what you’ve said in your posts, I can tell what race you’re not.
What, you’ve never heard of a black Ukrainian??!! But you don’t know who I dated or lived with for 20 years before marrying my current hubby. So don’t go making assumptions. It doesn’t serve you.
Re-read your own post. Then we’ll talk about asumptions. These are your words:
“This is clearly someone without a lot of interracial interactions. Come back when you have spent sometime not only in the black community but also with interracial couples. My BFF is also married to a black chief of police who is quite well known and wrote a book about the sniper shootings. So don’t lecture me until you can say you’ve been where I have been and have shared or experienced what I or others haves shared of experienced.”
Show me where I told you I was “black.”
Sasha, your posts scream “don’t talk about something you don’t understand” or “you aren’t entitled to an opinion unless you’ve BEEN there” etc. You didn’t have to tell anyone, dear, what your race is. And I didn’t assume you were black. The difference between us is I didn’t assume what your race was, period. Re-read my post more carefully next time. What I don’t cotton to is the “you haven’t walked a mile in my shoes, so you can’t possibly understand” or “you just don’t ‘get’ it” type comments. They are just so wrong on so many different levels. Those type of comments are also the words most often heard from the mouths of martyrs.
I’m just saying. You don’t know what you’re talking about.
Did you say your “ex-husband” is black. Hummm!
Where did I talk about an “ex-husband”? Geez, your reading comprehension needs a refresher course. Besides, would it bother you?
It actually would Purv. It would mean you’ve learned less than I thought about the subject at hand.
@brillke ~ I loved your post! You wrote what I thought better than I could have said myself. So, ditto on what you said. I find myself feeling pretty bad for Paula. Damn shame.
I agree
Defending bigotry…great idea. NOT. The ‘politically correct police’ didn’t cost Paula Deen her career…nor did being ‘honest’. Her racial insensitivity cost her this fallout. We CAN ‘figure out how to solve the problem of race in this country’… by having zero tolerance for bigotry. No one is born a bigot- sadly they learn it often “at the dinner table”.
Bigotry is usually the offspring of ignorance and fear. It’s easy to like those that are the “same” as we are…because we can normally predict what they think and how they will act. But those who are different than us are “unknown”… and the unknown often cause weak-minded people to fear…which can then turn into hatred.
Slavery ended 148 years ago but bigotry still thrives in this Country. People hate Blacks, Muslims, Gays, Jews, Immigrants, the poor, ect. ect. Time to start educating at our dinner tables…teach our children about compassion and the obligation to learn and accept those that are different than us…
Agreed racial insensitivity cannot be tolerated! The demographics of the USA are no longer white and black people. Hispanics, Asians, Africans, Europeans, Arabs and religious variations are a HUGE portion of the USA today. We see the violence and caste systems in some of these countries and if we allow this type of behavior to fester in USA, within 15-20 years it will be like WW3. Paula’s behavior may be acceptable in her lil neck of the woods but she is a celebrity and is on a world wide stage. She has a larger responsibility to not spread hatred and bigotry. She is held to a higher standard than her brother Bubba and her other unknown relatives. The rest of the world doesn’t understand that behavior that is acceptable in her little local community. A lot of white people have brown relatives and grandchildren and I can see how it would make them uncomfortable. If we allow this behavior between blacks and whites, we will see it amongst the other groups , Muslims and Jews, Northern Irish and British, Puerto Ricans and Dominicans and on and on and on. Where does it stop? Paula also is also sexist. She referred to one of her employees as a piece of p*ssy. In what professional environment is that ever acceptable? The Food Network got rid of Paula because she is a liability. After the diabetes debacle,they are tired of cleaning up her messes. She is a loose canon, unfiltered cannon.
Stop with all the exclamation marks, you look like a fool. Who said that “bigotry” was acceptable in in Savannah? Savannah is NOT some small Podunk hick town. It is the third largest metropolitan area in GA. It attracts millions of tourists. It is rich with history and culture and it is very diverse.
It is a beautiful city. Maybe you should visit before making such ignorant remarks about it.
Your bigotry is on display thinking that all cities located South of the Mason-Dixon line are just small isolated “local communities.”
Get educated. TARD!
@pffft your a fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I live in the South. I know about Savannah and I’m not impressed. You are truly just a ignorant as Paula Deen when your respond to someone requesting you to not use hateful words is to call them a “tard”. I don’t have any anger toward your nor Paula Deen because evolution left you behind and ignorant because you two are the definition of a “nigger”.
Oh stop lecturing. I’m sick of your holier than thou attitude. Go on where with that crap!
Pfffttt – You seem so hostile ! Why can’t other people have other opinions without shoo-ing them away ? Just asking ?
What’s up with all the anger.
Pfffttt, I counted one exclamation point. And yes, you are, a fool!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
PFFFTTT-
Is all your anger stemming from the fact that your parents are first cousins?
As to Greg Q’s last sentence, I would suggest adding…
“….to learn and accept those that are different than us, including bigots, those less educated, and those with whom we disagree.”
Here, here Pura. ~ Teaching tolerance is hard enough but learning it is another. In these past 40 or 50 yrs. – we’ve had a long row to hoe…OR is it …We’ve had a long ho’ to row ? 🙂
WOW!!!!!! if she loses everything the next person white, black red or blue will know not to be an “openly racist” that is what she is so what she hired a black man in most places you need to hire 1 black 1 mexican 1 asain…..see where Im going I just think it was worst then what the public knows…there is no way this 60 yr old do not know right from wrong rather she was born in 1800 or 1900… she knows she just got to big for her britches and thought she would get a passs
I don’t think your age or where you grew up gives you a pass. Is Paula Deen an evil racist? I don’t think so. She does seem to be an ignorant greedy woman. She should have know better a hell of along time ago…it’s 2013.
After the whole diabetes debacle I think the FN was just done with her. She continued to sell her unhealthy cooking brand and cover up the fact she had diabetes for what 3 years? Then she tries to sell healthier and be a spokes woman for a diabetes drug. Greedy, selfish and trying to have it both ways behavior.
Paula Deen is not the sweet butter lovin’ southern lady she sells to the public.
She also needs to fire her PR team pronto!
I agree with you TT. I am from the south and understand. She is the same age as my mother and they came up in a different time than we did. But I also think Food Network overreacted or reacted to media sensationalism, I bet they would be hard pressed to find ANYONE on staff at FN that has never used a derogatory term. That included the N word the C word, kik, spick, F**g*t, D*Ke. jew, chink, honky, cracker or homo. The difference is, Paula was honest and owned up to it.
There is only one meaning for the word Nigger and it has never held a positive connotation in any way shape or form. You don’t say ‘My you look like a beautiful N today!’ and expect anyone to walk away feeling good about themselves. It is not like the word gay which used to mean happy, it is just a no-no. She has not lived under a rock, she is in the public eye, she lives in a racial diverse portion of the country, it was wrong.
Amen
Well said Isabella, but I don’t know if she should loose her job over it.
The very sad point to all of this is that Paula Deen was a Southern belle icon, albeit it phony. Good breeding and manners are instilled and drilled in from birth. You either get it or you don’t. It appears Paula didn’t.
You can teach yourself compassion and tolerance which sometimes is difficult to do given a family history prone to negativity and racial oppression. You can’t give her a “pass” because she was outspoken about her feelings at the core of her very being. She influences millions of people and sets the bar for acceptable behavior. Racial slurs are not acceptable.
It does not matter what the color or your skin is – we are all pink on the inside and bleed red. You may not like someone’s politics, opinions or behavior but that is pretty much separate from their color, culture or religion…which is supposed to make up American freedom.
There are leaders and there are followers. Paula Deen’s unacceptable remarks have eliminated her from leadership. She sunk her own boat.
I wouldn’t worry about her, though – they’ll probably make a movie about her fall from grace and she’ll rake in million$ for being an outspoken bigot.
The word ‘nigger’ is southern dialect for the word ‘negro’ during slavery times that was the word for black folk. or African Americans. or Colored People. or People of Color. The fact that society keeps changing the term only makes it seem like a bad think to be black. I’d much rather we get over labeling people and just start getting along.
My point is that people and society grow and change over time. You can’t try someone for something that was not a crime when it happened. Pretty much everyone I know over a certain age is racist. And during the Sheree trials I had people say racist things to me assuming I was one race or the other. My favorite was Funky Dineva saying that “white people can get away with shit black people can’t.”
I hope I live to see the day that race is not an issue but it has been since Bibical times Meanwhile I am on an island in another country where most people are black and most of the properties are owned by Dutch people. The US is a melting pot and is making many more strides than any other country. We have BILLIONAIRES of every race and color and sexual preference and gender. We are making progress. And bullshit news stories like this only set us back in my opinion.
What you said and then some. Very well put.
I think people say things like “the N word” because saying or even writing the whole word makes people uncomfortable. I see what your saying but it still would be a hard thing for me to write or say. I’m saddened by this story. While I will admit I don’t know exactly what all happened but what I do know is confusing to me. I don’t know one person that hasn’t used a derogatory word at one time or another. Also I think that people used to be taught hate but now it seems to be different. I know I’m gonna get a beating here but oh well. I was never raised to be racist. My first boyfriend at 15 was black and my parents loved him. However as I have gotten older I have struggled with racism of several types. Honestly I don’t know where it comes from but I have found myself thinking certain things or behaving in certain ways that most would consider as racist the older I get. As I said this was not taught to me. I am not proud of it but it is what it is and I haven’t found a way to fix it just yet. My point is sometimes people can’t help things that creep in their minds or out of their mouths. The use of certain words in no way makes one racist IMO. I would never say that word and as I just stated have my own issues with racism. I am honesty beginning to believe most people have some racism but its just not PC to talk about. This is where the problem seems to be. We have to lie and cover up what is really going on. White people are not the only racist race out there btw. Jeez I don’t know to many black people who aren’t way more prejudice than I am. So maybe it’s not a race thing and more of a human thing. Idk but I do know it has bothered me for a long time and the only way I have been able to make sense of it is to think that I am not alone.
Really beautiful and real. {applause}
Oh an Faggot has become a huge hot button in the last decade or two. Previously, it was fine to say if you were a fag hag or in the community or just not saying it to be mean. Now it’s right up there with the big no nos .
let’s not forget ‘retarded’ which USED to be the politically correct thing to say.
@Leslie, I am OLDER than Paula Deen and I have never used any of the derogatory terms you seem to think all people have used at one time of another.
s/b or
I call bullshit.
You can call it whatever you want, but it does’t change the fact that it is true. Some people do not find it necessary to use these words and I happen to be one of them. Also, I am not from the south and maybe that makes a difference. I have always lived on the west coast.
I am sure there is an unwitting West Coast word that she has indulged in (or someone in her family has said). Usually related to the Latino community. But West Coasters are too proud of their intelligence to admit it. Worse than old Yankees. From a West Coaster and said tongue in cheek!
@Puravidacostarica, If I had used ANY derogatory term against another human being, I wouldn’t have written what I did. Has my someone in my family? Probably, but not around me because I won’t tolerate that language. I am talking about ME,, not them or you. I was just pointing out that not EVERYONE has used these terms.
Tamara & Leslie- You both seem full of bullshit on this issue… Paula didn’t just use the “N” word once 30 years ago. Odd how you both have failed to mention her ingenious idea of having a theme event at her restaurant where she wanted the Black staff to dress and act like slaves… Or how she overlooked the sexual harassment her brother Bubba was subjecting the female restaurant manager to ‘because he’s addicted to porn’. Are all these just part of that Southern charm? The year is not 1813…it’s 2013. It’s lame for you to excuse this bullshit.
Get em, Greg. I hate when people play stupid on these issues. They don’t used these slurs in their daily communication because they know its unacceptable. No one should get a pass. If Tamara started using this language such a “faggot”, “nigger” “retard” “hick” etc in her daily blogs her viewership would greatly dwindle. Nobody wants to be insulted and that never will become outdated.
Ooooh let’s find out! I am sure I have used the word retarded here before. Because well…you know. hick is not really in my playbook, can I substitute redneck?
@Tamaratattles, yes you should try it. Using some of the more controversial slurs to insult you audience. I would love to see the results too.
Hell and brimstone — TT chases off the Jesus freaks every once in a while. Don’t tempt her!! Also, I didn’t know “redneck” was a bigoted or offensive term. It is certainly a big part of the chorus of a current Blake Shelton song on country radio. I think you are gonna have to try harder to offend a redneck. 🙂
Not that I am a redneck but one of the attorneys who works for me listens to country….
And with that last comment, I may have single handedly offended a redneck! 🙂
Greg, I am not going to get into an arguement with you about racial prejudices, but for correctness sake you should know that she ‘thought’ of using the black servers at a private wedding event not her business. I don’t think it’s a great idea anywhere but it’s always better to start off with truth. BTW, the term redneck comes from what happens to white people (am I allowed to call them white people?) when they come in after a day of work in the fields… they have a sunburned neck hence redneck.
Looks like QVC is about to drop her too.
Im glad you pointed it out….I thought I was the only one….Wtf is really going on….cause she grew up in the south REALLY!!!!!
Hi Leslie – Just wanted to say that I am friends with one of our Senators and his Mother was a Doctor’s daughter born and raised in Georgia. A real Peach, we all used to say. God Rest her Soul, she was the most wonderful “Lady” I had ever met. She was also the most politcally astute, hard working, locally active women for civil rights I ever known. She was my politcal mentor in my early days of volunteer work with a national presidential campaign and did more in the poorest side of town than any other of her peers. We have scholarships and a foundation named after her. She raised 1 Senator, 1 State Senator and 1 State Atty. General and I never once EVER heard her rely upon, use or allow any of those terms… or attitudes about other people – in the years I’ve known her & her family. She was Driving Miss Daisy WITHOUT the chauffeur. She loaded her own trunk w/ food for the poor, sat at card tables filled with voter registration forms in the worst neigbhorhoods by herself if she had to and drove herself to the Habitat Humanity sites with her “dungerees” on almost up until she passed away @ 87. I loved her wit & intelligence and her ability to break me of that Southern Plantation Belle preconception that I had. 🙂
We called “chink shoes”, babydoll shoes. That was back in the 80’s. I live in NC and have family in Georgia. My ex husband is from Athens, Georgia and was born in 1964. “Colored” is listed as race on his birth certificate. I have heard the term “nigger toes” used by family, I have heard “jig rigged” and “jewed” down. I have been known to say some of the words too. However, I don’t think that just because I’m black I should be given a pass to say the “n” word or any other derogatory term to describe a person or a race. I also do not believe age or station in life is an excuse either. Yes Paula Deen is older, white and from Georgia. No excuse. Paula is pretty well traveled and a damn good businesswoman. She knows right from wrong. I don’t know if Bubba does, but I would say he is just stupid. The choices we make dictate our lives. Apparently Food Network doesn’t want the headache. That is their choice. I think Paula will rise again. I also don’t think it was the N word usage as much as it was the talk about slavery. I also give Paula props for owning her mess. Just because you issue an apology, does not mean people have to accept it.
She was not wealthy and well traveled when she said that. And yes, chink shoes were in the 80s. I HAD NO IDEA THAT WAS A BAD THING TO SAY.
Also you can probably say nigger on a lot of international stations but you can’t say Paki, fanny, and a myriad of other things that are “offensive.” Essentially we all decide what pisses us off. It’s a tribal/community thing. If I called an Indian lady(In India) a lovely cunt, she would probably say thanks. She would not the word.
For me it is all words… WORDS…. an arrangement of letters and either you get pissed off by them, turned on by them, or heed them. STILL JUST WORDS.
Honestly, I think Paula Deen and anybody else can say and think WTF they want. However, society doesn’t even though this is a free country. If you say or do something that someone doesn’t like they have the right to act as they see fit. As far as derogatory words go, if you use use them, expect some fall out. Age, gender, geographic location are not excuses for poor choices. I am not trying to get anyone to agree with me. I’m just commenting and I respect your right to your opinion and everyone else’s.
Digal704-
100% agree. Say what you want…but don’t be surprised when bigoted comments cost you dearly.
Tamara, It’s like when Lenny Bruce started to publically decry the use of these terrible words. (starts out with mutton vs. lamb) 🙂 Later, George Carlin made them famous. (The 7 Words You Can’t Say on Televison) His lighter skit was actually derived from Bruce’s. Carlin says, “Bad words ? – No bad words !” “Bad thoughts – Bad intentions – but No bad words !” He also joked that eventually everybody should just “f__k the colors right out of each other.” (lol) and mix it up till nobody knows what color they were. Like him or not, he still told shit like it IS.
Let’s also address the employee suing Deen making these allegations is a WHITE FEMALE who obviously used this to shake down Paula.
Not to mention there is a letter online where the nasty POS suing Deen wrote Deen and sings her praises and talks about how much she loved working for her and how it basically saved her life.
The media built Paula Deen up, and now they’re taking joy in her down fall and I find it all very disturbing and SICK quite frankly.
Paula literally came from nothing and worked her ass off and built an empire. I get no joy in this all. All these people that support what has happened to her, better make sure they have nothing in their closet from 30 years ago…
I also get no joy at all in watching an elderly lady make a tearful apology over something she said 30 years ago, and have her career ruined just because she refused to give a money grubbing slime ball $$$$ in a settlement.
If you honestly think she only said the N word 20 years ago, you’ve got to be a fool. Did you watch the video on tmz with her saying her black friend was as black as that board? When someone brings out their black friend you know they’re covering sumn.
I guess the slave themed wedding was because she’s an elderly lady. Shit I didnt know she was 160 years old and lived through slavery. Just shows her mindset. Would it be ok if she called gays fags because back in the day that’s what they did. They also lynched black folk I guess if she kept that up its ok cuz she’s old and from the south. FOH with that. I’m glad her racist ass is getting reamed.
Oh puhleaze. Save your indignation!
Pft-
Your posts all evidence your limited intelligence or life experience… No indignation needed.
As I just stated I am not quite right in the head. However I think I would love to go to one of those plantations and reenact those days. Yes that’s insensitive and I shouldn’t say it nor speak it. It’s kinda like going to those civil war reenactments that I love so much. Now I could get the same amount of joy if it were white people waiting on the tables. Maybe she was wanting to make it more authentic. I will say this, who in the hell is allowing this woman to say these things. Maybe she would rather have the truth than her dynasty cause any sane person would know you can’t have parties like that. Seriously nobody told her she shouldn’t ever bring ideas like this up if she wanted to keep her career or reputation. I am not famous nor do I have a reputation so I may have a party like that and invite her lol
Dylpeyt – Interesting ! I have a cool idea – reverse color rolls in a re-inactment of your party ! – That would freak some people out !! All black plantation owners with with white servants ? History could so easily have been changed by so few. I’m only 2nd generation American on my father’s side and I never understood a word my Nana & Papu spoke. They were for the most part not overtly racist though – so i didn’t grow up with it BUT what they did have in common with other minorities is POVERTY ! Why isn’t that a hot bed topic enraging people off the charts ???? I would bet it be in bad taste to re-inact child labor though. Content of our character is the key !
Utt-Oh ! – I’m in moderation (trouble) again for my comment Dylpeyt. Ha ha ! TT will check it later.
It was a southern plantation themed party, and unless they were planning on lynching the waiters after dessert was served, what’s the problem? kh
EXACTLY. She wanted the waiters to DRESS UP and look nice. She wanted to employ black men. They were going to be paid for their services.
Sheessh. People are acting like tards over this issue.
I guess a concentration camp themed wedding is cool too…the people playing the roles of the Jewish will be paid. So it’s cool. I’m sure many would love to have that good old feeling of the Jewish people starving and being gassed. Cuz most normal people love to relive historical atrocities. These comments are scary, because there’s really people out there that think this is cool.
REALLY!!!!
KH from Texas-
‘…unless they were planning on lynching the waiters after dessert was served, what’s the problem?’ Even in Texas bigotry can happen long before Black people get lynched… WOW are you limited.
Contact the Tea Party they are looking for people just like you to run for political office.
it did not happen 30yrs ago 😉
She’s a grown ass woman that has not lived in a vacuum. I do not give a f*ck where she was born. She an idiot and a buffoon. Good riddens.
It’s good RIDDANCE you damn yankee. 🙂 And no one grew up in a vacuum that is the point. She grew up in the great state of Georgia. And because I know and love you, I can attest to the fact that things are different here.
Just because its different doesn’t make it right. She’s a bigot. Point blank period. Who thinks its cool to want a slave themed wedding? I guess because she’s a old bigot it’s ok. No, it’s her mentality that is keeping this racial mindset going. I’m sure her children have heard her call black folk every name under the sun. Probably just yesterday. It’s time for folks to learn its a different time and this mindset is no longer acceptable.
It actually was not a “slave” themed event but an event she wanted to have with an all black staff to remind everyone of when blacks were the white jacketed servants (slaves or not) of whites for her southern themed event. (I worked in the catering business for many years and that would have been completely humiliating for anyone with an ounce of self respect.) She decided not to do it because it would be perceived as offensive. Everyone acts like because she said the word 30 years ago it was in the ancient past but 30 years ago I was tearing up the disco floor and if you look in the back of my closet you will find some too small leather pants from those days. I say she is a southern gal who grew up with causal racism.She used the word nigger and she also reached out her hand to some of the “good” blacks occasionally. That all seems to be just accepted in some camps but to a northern gal like me I see things from a different angle. In the north white people use words like unqualified instead of nigger. It is so much more polite and no one loses a lucrative contract over it.
Food Network has shown they are just as ignorant. I doubt there is one Food Network star that has NEVER said or done something offensive. It only sets our progress back decades when we overeact to these incidents. The woman has admitted her mistake, apologized, and will undoubtedly continue to suffer ramifications for it. And is that not prejudice I see when Southern Belle is used in such a derogatory manner?
I do no think she is a racist, but she is very proud of her family’s long history in Georgia that goes back before the civil war.
Last year she was featured on “Who Do You Think You Are”, the show that traces your family history back as far as can be researched. In that episode she felt a lot of pride in what her family had accomplished, but she also struggled with reconciling that slavery on the plantation was part of it. Her great-grandfather committed suicide after slaves were freed.
She is a generational result of the deep South, but her only mistake is attempting to glamorize plantation lifestyle as a theme for a party.Her language & mindset is generational. I can’t imagine that she has any feelings of superiority over any race/creed/ethnicity.
Take into consideration she was agoraphobic and unable to leave her house for years, and now she is a huge company. I admire her for that.
Paula Deen should not have been fired for this, and she is not racist in my opinion. However I did have issues with her being diabetic, promoting butter on everything, and being a spokesperson for a diabetic pharmaceutical.
TT, this topic is gonna stir up a frenzy in this forum while you are lounging under a beach umbrella with a fruity cocktail.
I agree. I’m black, have lived in the south all my life, and although I’ve never had to endure racial profiling, I do have both white and mixed friends who use the N word, without the er on it. I’ve called them my fair share of bad words too. I don’t think I’m racist, I know my friends are racist, but it’s honestly the way we communicate sometimes. I think every culture has said some negative connotations about other races.
I so agree with you. That was then.. We learn, we grow, we change.. I think because she is famous, she is being singled out. I made MY mistakes, whether chink, nigger, spic, wetback. All from back then. Would I do or say things NOW? No. I’m 53 years old. I’ve learned and become a better person. Now, if I were to continue to do that?? Would be so wrong. I’m glad I am surrounded by folks of ALL COLOR AND CREED.. And we are friends!!
People who live in glass houses should not cast stones! Am I perfect? NO! I don’t want to be.. Look what happened to the most loving and perfect person to ever walk this earth!
This is a no win situation. Paula is entertaining and a talented chef. However, if your job is being in the public eye, you better watch what you say, who you fuck, and pay your taxes. Just to be clear, though, she is not a meek elderly southern belle. I saw her at a live show in a casino and she was more vulgar than a stand up comedian.
I grew up in Augusta GA and my grandparents said the n word, it is just their generation. I totally agree with you Tamara.
I am a black woman and I don’t care! I am not surprised that she used the N word! So the fuck what! I have many white friends and my uncle and aunt’s wives and husbands! We all go to race when we are pissed or think we are trying to prove a point! That is human! I going to say it…no she should not loose her career! We all want to be righteous and say it is wrong! We are all guilty! Do you know how many times I stop my husband from saying “faggot”?! I’m over it…leave her alone! On another note why do we crucify women so hard! When the other people like golfers and “Kramer” say racist things; why do they get off so easy! Like Zora Neal Thurston said ” Black Women Are The Mules of the World…so is this white woman Paul Deen!
Great post! Sasha, helloooooo? Where is your indignation?
Purv. You still don’t have a clue. Stop trying to relate. You can’t. There’s only so much you’ll understand, no matter how hard you try. Even if you have black friends, ex-boyfriends, ex-husbands, whatever.
Give it a rest.
I seriously think there is something wrong with you.
….ugly baby?….
“I’m not racist my friend is black!” – number one comment from a racist. I can’t believe the stuff I’m reading on here.
So it this better or worse than some white lady attempting to extort 12 million dollars from Paula to Not file a lawsuit in which she claims to be “African American Ajacent” and racially offended by Bubba (not Paula, btw,) using the word nigger because she screws a guy with a kid whose baby mama is Hispanic? I’m just trying to sort this all out from most to least offensive.
You are absolutely right. Isn’t that a prerequisite for commenting on this sight.
Not in the direction you “ain’t right”. That’s the difference between here and other places. Being unfunny AND stupid is really not tolerated. I heard anyway. I have no firsthand knowledge.
At her age and having much world traveling behind her, she knew better.
I KNOW she knew not to use the term around or regarding Pres Obama, Oprah, Etc.
Paula Deen has been acting inappropriate for a while, acting overly sexual on talk shows, just being a behaving oddly.
Unless she can attribute her words ( black as a chalkboard??) and actions to dementia, she knows better.
I think the issue is she was being sued by a black chef for creating a hostile and offensive work environment. It became clear during the deposition that she either promoted, allowed or was oblivious to it and that’s why she was dropped by the network. It was not simply for using the N- word at some point in her life. If that was the only issue she’d still be on the network (just like Dog the Bountyhunter and others).
She also discussed having slave theme waiters- middle aged black men with tails and tux to serve you for her brothers 2007 wedding. Really? Not sure why you wouldn’t know why this would/ could be offensive?
I think the complaint was initiated by a manager, not a chef. I think
A white waitress who opposed Bubba’s pornography habit. She ‘thought’ but did not re-enact an all black waiter staff after seeing it at another restaurant. Just the facts, mam. What about the Augusta National Country Club where women were not allowed until a few years ago as well as blacks being excluded. We can all become outraged about something if we look long enough. Someone abpve mentioned a great idea, what if we all used this energy to do something good in our own small part of the world? Now, that is change I believe in!
This is not about what Paula said 30 years ago, assuming people actually believe that was the last time she used the n-word (and YES I will continue to not spell out such a hateful word). Paula is not some hayseed living in the backwoods. She is a sophisticated woman and the owner of many successful businesses who should have known better. Remember this was a sexual and racial harassment lawsuit, not a lawsuit filed because she used an ugly word once. There are some serious allegations here, the worst being her co-owner and brother making blacks use a different entrance.
Personally, I didn’t believe the allegations at first because of how Paula came across on tv. After reading the deposition and her flippant “of course” in response to whether she used that word, her flippant response about offensive racist jokes, and her flippant response about the underage waitress who the manager had slept with (admittedly calling the girl “a piece of pussy”), I for one feel duped and think her sweet on-air persona was just a great acting job. I am not rejoicing in her downfall, but people’s careers have been ruined for much less, and I’m not weeping bitter tears for her. She’ll bounce back. There are enough people out there who couldn’t care less about what she says or does as long as she knows how to make a great buttery biscuit.
Bottom line is you can’t bring your bigotry to work. If you must use that language do it at home or among your friends. Paula Deen is a corporation, conduct yourself in a professional manor.
SORRY! I didn’t realize all the comments were in moderation. I hate race debates and have put the word race, racism etc into moderation because they are so often the cause of arguments her on subjects that in my opinion are irrelevant. I have no problem with us discussing race, as it is at issue in this post. but I am sun burnt and full and drunken and going to bed. so you will either have to say “the r word (but not retard) lol or find another way to say it or I will post your comments in the morning. xoxo
tt
Just rub it in, Tamara 🙂 (what’s the R word ?) My duh !
Personally I believe she did a lot worse and lost any likability when she continued to promote high fat unhealthy food. Food which very well may have led to her developing diabetes. Then took an endorsement deal with a drug company for a condition she was helping to contribute to.
Do I like fattening unhealthy food….sure…I am fat. Give me a choice between some red velvet cake and an apple…..guess which one I will choose. The difference is I am not on TV selling things to others without any mention of how to make it even a LITTLE healthier.
That, combined with her total mishandling of the admission for using an offensive term is what did her in. Had she said..Yep I said it in the past…nope it wasn’t right and once I knew better I did better she would have been much better off. Instead she canceled a chance to take responsibility on the Today show and then put out a jacked up insincere apology, then when that didn’t go over we’ll a second one is what was the nail in the coffin…..at least that is my opinion.
She is not helping contribute to any condition. What a stupid thing to say. Everyone should take personal responsibility for their choices.
I have not read much about this. But I’m pissed that THIS is her fall from grace. She HID her diabetes and continued to endorse unhealthy (and crappy disgusting btw) recipes that she was not allowed to eat, and that was horrendous. Then coming out about her disease only when it meant a pharmaceutical endorsement. This should have brought her down.
TEECEE, you IGNORANT SLUT, diabetes is not caused by butter or fried chicken it is caused by SUGAR. So go sit your ignorant yankee ass down in however many seats that requires.
PS I MISS YOU SO MUCH!
Nut ah. It’s caused by BEING FAT. It’s a sugar imbalance. But carbs turn to sugar anyhow. And she uses a ton of sugar in addition to the fat
it is NOT caused by being fat. it happens because the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin to control blood sugar. sometimes a tumor switches that blood sugar control on and off (acromegaly). a high carb diet makes things worse.
Ps: get to the bar, stat. Free bar snacks are a meal! I ate so many bar snacks in Barcelona
teecee is right, all that fat does break down into sugar and causes diabetes… so those of you who think that eating fried foods is only gonna make you fat and give you high cholesterol you better think twice because oily fatty food is a MAJOR contributor to diabetes!!!
Yes that should have been her fall from grace. But she is a shrewd business woman and built her empire on lard and lies!
She is obviously not a shrewd anything. Maybe without the D. I think the food network has handled her…or tried to handle her shrewdly. But she’s too stupid to sit back and be handled. She’s been embroiled in several scandals. They were accused of racism and sexual harassment at the restaurant. There was something about the Smithfield ham endorsement that caused controversy. Then the diabetes thing (that TFN tried to remedy by giving her sons a forum to promote more healthy cooking). I think TFN was ready to shed her. This was a good opportunity for them to look socially conscious.
I personally think she is an idiot for not knowing better than say this. Right or wrong. Truth for most people (my grandmother had a dog that would attack upon hearing the n word) or not. Did she really think that the world was going to give her the benefit of common sense in the face of PC blathering? She thinks she’s special and she ain’t.
As I said before, there had to be more to this story than we knew.
I loooved Paula Deen. She was like somebody’s grandmother in the kitchen. I am deeply disappointed in her behavior. And am even sadder we have to sever ties, because I only have love for those that have love for me. Regardless of when she was born, she is old enough to know better. Time to retire.
Well, I guess I’m an old fart cuz most of the no no words were not a federal offenses when I was growing up…… I was recently at my daughter’s/granddaughter’s home and said something. My grandaughter gasped! And told her mom (my daughter” that I said the “S” word. I was indignant! “I most certainly did not,” I told them. Well, turns out the “S” word in the new politically correct mellinium is STUPID. So I was busted. Glad I didn’t lose my job. And who has never told or laughed at an ethnic or off color joke? What a bunch of shit. Everybody needs to calm the fuck down. I’m not a big Paula fan, but she’s not the devil incarnate. kh
Big difference between saying “stupid” and the n-word. Did you read the deposition? She and her brother were pretty nasty. I have an elderly great uncle who used the word “colored” in front of a black friend. They were very understanding given my uncle’s age (75) and lack of ill intent, although I was mortified. This was a pattern of racist and sexist behavior by Paula and her brother that she was unapologetic about in that deposition. The food network is a private corporation and they can and should make personnel decisions based on the needs/desires of their consumers. If having Paula on air hurts their brand they were right to let her go.
Well said Angie B…
“KH” from Texas- making a statement like: ‘Everybody needs to calm the fuck down”…. couldn’t be more shortsighted.When in reality- everyone has the moral and social obligation to point out bigotry wherever they witness it. Until everyone is made completely uncomfortable in making bigoted comments do we have a chance to grow beyond this hatred.
That is such a pussy comment. Are you the language police? Do you have a life?
pfffttt, is TeeCee in there?
Ok. How about calm the fuck down and shut the fuck up?
kh
LOL @ khintx. I too got in trouble with my 2 adorable grandchildren for saying the S word. Who knew that stupid was the new politically incorrect word going round???
I am a year older than Paula and I find her choice of words and phrases unacceptable. And I don’t buy it is okay because she was from the South. My parents and my grandpa were also from the south. My grandpa would be 121 years old this year and I remember sitting at his side over 35 years ago with him telling me how racial slurs are never to be tolerated. He even told me how he was kicked out of school as a young child for beating up another kid who used a racial slur on him.
I do admit I was surprised The Food Channel pulled the trigger so fast, I thought it would happen but didn’t think they would be so quick. I don’t think it was that she used a racial slur in her past but it was how she expressed it as such a casual occurrence…..at least as it was interpreted even if that isn’t how she meant it. Her former PR person defended her but also said she had a lot of problems with how Paula ran her business and affairs.
Deep down, she is crass and uncouth but probably a very nice lady. But as a corporate mogul she has to behave in business, it’s just that simple. I have fired people for stupid unthinking behavior because under discrimination law, the impact of an action is far greater than the intent of an action. So while she may not have intended to be offensive with her choice of words and actions, the impact was a different story. She is a big girl, she had a good and very profitable ride and I hear she put her money towards many worthwhile endeavors and hopefully people remember that. But by the same token she has to take responsibility that often (not always and not always fairly) people are held to a higher standard and fall from a greater height when they mis-step. She has been in the middle of a fair amount of legal action based on her business behavior, this firing is just one more consequence of “just because you may be a celebrity doesn’t mean you can say and do anything you want”.
I wish her well and I suspect she will rebound and continue cooking and selling cookbooks and making appearances.
I think pfffttt is the one who needs to get a life. They’re the one commenting on every other comment. Move along, you offer nothing. I suppose you just get a kick out of seeing your own words on a blog?
I wonder if her sons will still have a show. It would be funny if she took her show to OWN.
“The Food Network statement did not elaborate on its reasons for dropping her, but a person close to the network said its shows featuring her sons, Jamie and Bobby, would not be affected.”
Ahh the Food Network… who proudly present their new contestant on Next Food Network Star who calls himself the “Barbeque Jew from Philly.”……. I am offended. Who can I sue?
kh
Really?
Um..who are you and really what?
Guess what teecee666. I “really” don’t have to explain.
Yeesh. You sure are an unfunny bitter little ankle biting mutt.
HAHA , now that would be funny! Paula on Oprah.
Oprah is (or was) a big fan of Paula, and Paula made many appearances on her show and was featured of specials on the OWN network. Gayle and Oprah even taped a show where they stayed the night at her home in Georgia.
Oprah and Paula were good friends.
Also, let’s remember that in 2008 the First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on a cooking segment on Paula’s show on Food Network.
No, LITERALLY Paula on TOP OF Oprah. That would be funny.
Are you really calling people “tards” in your arguments on a thread about insensitive, ignorant and offensive words?
You said that to say what? Do you really think if either knew all this beforehand, that Paula would be anywhere around them. I think not.
I doubt is that would ever happen. Oprah has experienced plenty of racism in the workplace. I doubt she would bring someone into her business who has a proven record of such.
But, I suppose that was a joke….ha..ha.. It’s not funny.
Please. Oprah is as racist as they come.
And you’re not?
I am sorry Sasha, I am in too good of a mood for you to bother me today! Have a great day!
Ha, she is a moron, isn’t she? She frantically refreshes the page so often, I can’t bear to ban her. 🙂
So Sasha is a girl??? Where I come from Sasha is a boys name! Entertainment value for sure.
I dunno. Transgender perhaps?
Isabella. That comment was for TeeCee666. And, yes TT. I’m Transgender. Maybe I can go to Las Vegas and work for Isabella. She’s a cougar in need of a younger man.
Ha Ha, I wish I was a cougar, I only date older men! But if you know anyone…..
And TT, why would you even consider banning me. TeeCee666, Purv, Isabella can say whatever they want to offend as many people as they choose. You openly defend them and openly state you have no plans to ban those who speak up against them.
I know this is your sight and can do whatever you choose. But, I’d like to know what criteria you use. Do you ban “all” those you deem stupid, ignorant, biased, bigoted, racist, deranged.. what.
No mostly I ban annoying twats. You have caused quite the rumble on twitter previously with people thinking you are insane. I tend to lean toward intellectually challenged, so I am cutting you some slack while laughing inappropriately at you…
I have NEVER offended anyone on purpose, if I have I will quickly apologize. Do not play that way.
Ok. We’ll ad insane to the list. We won’t worry about Twitter. They said a lot of unkind things about you during the Sherree debacle. They’re are just opinions, right.
Everyday is a great day when I can refrain from degrading people because of their differing opinions. I still don’t see the fun in it. And, I have no plans to change my stance just to fit in with this crowd.
*ad, add..
Food Network said her son will keep his show. Also, Food Network’s sister network (cant remember the name right now) is keeping her around while they wait to see how fast this dies down.
Where I am from, Northern IL, they use the N word when any person is being one. Any person, black or white. They also say redneck, chink, cracker, spic, fag, lezzie, and bitch. Oh and polock. We laugh and call each other a dumb dago even if we are Italian too. (We don’t call all gays “fags”, here it means a low down nasty perv, like a pedophile or dirty prostitute.) These words are just part of the daily jokes. They are used by all races. It is what it is. But we do not use these terms on tv or in professional dealings. We are a huge melting pot and respect each other, I don’t see any hate crimes like nooses or nazi symbols around here, it’s not tolerated. Words are just words, we joke and let stuff slip, but it’s understood that it is just a reality of daily life. No one gets fired because they may have used the N word years ago.
IMO, The Food Network did not haphazardly make the decision to cancel Paula’s show. I’m pretty sure there’s more to the stories than we know. Age, is no excuse for using such words, 60 years ago, 30, or even yesterday. Anger, certainly is no reason. If she is unable to control when she blurts out such words, she doesn’t need to be in anyone’s employment, nor managing others’ employment.
I’m sure she’ll be O.K. She has a few restaurants, and probably quite a bit of money. Now she’ll have more time to contemplate what she’s done, and think about how it affects others, not only African Americans.
OMGosh. I can relate to the person who said she got in trouble using the “S” word. I was watching my granddaughters one day (ages 8 and 5) and I said something like “oh that’s so stupid”. They both said “ohhhhh grandma, that’s a bad word.” I’m glad their parents have taught them not to say it because it is an ugly word but it is a word. Right?
Tamara, did I say something wrong. My comment was in moderation, then it disappeared.
I am from a different generation than Paula Deen and many commenters here. The “politically correct” generation. While I see everyone’s dissenting views, I don’t use those terms. Even though I can see merit in what you’re saying Tamara by taking the power away from the words. They just make me wholly uncomfortable. Call me naive, but I never heard racial slurs around my house, in a northern city area. Plenty of swears, but never anything about race as an insult. My family certainly wasn’t perfect, but we just never had talks about race like that. As I got older, I realized a lot of my friends and my friends parents actually used these terms and it did shock me for a while. I still feel uncomfortable about it, even when my black friends call me “the N word.” I’d never say it back. Call it a double standard but that’s just how I feel.
I agree with everyone (even teecee) who said that the diabetes thing should’ve been PD’s downfall, I thought that situation was disgusting. Also agree that this may have just been the last straw, she’s become too much of a liability I guess.
I think it’s important to have these talks even though nobody will probably ever agree.
IMO ~ What you say in private among your friends & family is your’s to own, Regardless… But (especially) if you desire to be a public figure of any sort, you must hold respect when you speak to others. How can our society react so much to “political correctness” and yet discrimination seems to be raising it’s ugly head so much these days ? Is it COOL now ? Changes have not, nor do not come easily or without a price and for so many, and for so-o-o many fucking years..! We are NOT a country of one of anything, people ! Own it ! – I don’t love everything about everybody but I have the freedom to be about those I do love, if I am fortunate enough in my life. Paula Dean has made a small emprie off of her “southern cook persona” in the public eye and since she chose to implicate racial or hateful speech – then she did @ her own peril. Sorry ! – Big Boo Hoo ! Paula’s out of a multi-million dollar contract and even if it were only just a “Bad Girl PR stunt” (wink wink) it doesn’t fly ! – The word “nigra” is a latin adjective for black and english for dark before it gets twisted into a knot of hatred. IMO, Talk of these words must be forsenic, in order to disarm centuries of derogetory implications – let alone reverse their ramifications without malice for each other. There will always be others to spurn us on to hate each other. We have to be better than them – better than that !
OH YEAH – and Comedy ! Wanda Sykes skit about party snacks ! At least in this skit – she’s so disarming ! 🙂 We need comedy to mull the points !
I do not want to be around anyone who uses the N word, the C word, or the R word, These words provoke a negative reaction, and anyone who uses those words are classless. Kids today of all colors use the word n***a to address their friends like it’s cool. Makes me want to puke.
psst no one is “in trouble” for there comments. All the moderated comments went through. I am on vacay so only checking in periodically.
TT – Do NOT eat the lizard soup… No No don’t do it !! One might grow a couple of strange ones of their own. Lol. FYI – I thought it worrisome to discuss the GZ trial – and here all along it was the dreaded fried chicken lady. (kidding) ~ Happy Birthday to you today !
their
Hey Wildcatamy,
Totally off the subject but is that wildcat as in Kentucky Wildcats?
Originally from KY and still follow UK sports, specifically men’s basketball.
Yes, I am a fan of the Kentucky Wildcats. #BBN
I can’t believe people are justifying Paula Deen by stating that’s she’s from another time. I did not realize that Paula Deen was a time traveller who had stepped out of her time machine to join us in the 21st century.
I dont understand why everyone keeps saying she needs to be held to a higher standard? 30 yrs ago she didnt have this “empire”. If it had been 30 days ago…different story. Again…i agree w those commending her honesty. We’ve ALL done it/said it. Denying it makes you a liar & being honest gets you fired. Either way youve just been screwed. I havent heard the ENTIRE story but why was she being asked these questions in the FIRST place???
You are wrong. All of us don’t say/do it.
And you might want to hear the entire story or even know WHY she was being deposed before commenting.
Agreed. Thats why i was asking. I said i didnt know the entire story. & Im not saying everyone has used the N word but i AM saying we’ve all made questionable comments about people & races & orientations at some point in our lives. Thats like saying youve never lied. I agree w TT’s Maya Angelou statement….when we know better, we do better.
Deen isn’t being sued because she used the word 30 years ago. She is being sued because she allowed a racial and sexual hostile environment to exist in the workplace – a workplace she owned.
Anyone thinking this is just PC run amok is a fool, seriously. You can’t run a business and allow women to be sexual harrassed or intimidated. You can’t allow people of color to be addressed in those terms. And you can’t allow you bigoted brother to act a fool with women and minorities and just pooh pooh it away.
The outrage is over her cavalier, ignorant attitude about the issues her employees complained about. Had she acted with an iota of compassion rather than labeling folks as trouble makers and jealous, had he even corrected/removed her brother’s influence she wouldn’t be in this mess.
YES YES & YES!! @Sherri!! I don’t know what’s more disguising Paula Deen’s IGAF attitude towards racial slurs and her bigoted behavior or those who have the NERVE to make excuses for Deen’s actions!!
*disgusting*
Perhaps Paula could get a job with Chic-Filet !!
Brilliant Idea. LOL
Good one Just..lol
Ha! Perfect
I am still waiting on the “Once you go black, you’ll never go back” episode of Mythbusters.
What did I miss Isabella?
Seriously Isabella. Is that really a scheduled episode or am I missing the joke.
It was a joke.
That was fucking funny.
Oh dear.
Proving Teecee’s original point…
I have to say this is getting very old. WHATEVER WHO CARES.. Have a great day!
Hey I LOVED your joke!! Sasha just needs to get a clue. Or a humor gene transplant!!
Racism will never be comical to me.
Man that is such a shame then because we are over here with sock puppets, balloons, marshmallows, swimming pools, movie stars….
Its quite obvious that neither of you are African American, therefore, its easy for you to giggle and have fun about it. That’s precisely what Paula did.
Have fun.
TeeCee is a little exhausted. She spent all of her energy going bat-crazy on Twitter defending George Zimmerman today.
Check her out.
Yay TeeCee!
Somebody has got a twitter crush!!
I think I was more upset about the sexual harassment than Paula Deen saying the N word. It has a derogatory connotation and is made worse when used maliciously. I don’t think she used the word maliciously. I think it is a word she and her peers grew up using BUT she is old enough to know better than to ever use it. Being from the south, it is a word that at one time was used often and was meant as an insult. The teenagers today, both black and white, use the N word but drop the ‘er’ and add an ‘a’ and it is acceptable. I’m not sure black parents would be as accepting, however, as they tend to see the word as degrading.
I’m not sure what the Food Network could have done other than fire her. If they didn’t fire her then it might mean, in some eyes, that they were condoning her using the N word.
I’m glad she saw the need to give a apology and hope it was sincere and not done just to keep her contract with Food Network. I doubt seriously what she said will affect her business much at all. I do hope she fires her brother. From what I read he is a tyrant, an alcohlolic and sexually abuses women period!
She, nor her brother might not see a problem with the things he’s accused of. I’m sure he was raised in the south and in his 60s +/-. That makes it o.k., right.
Since she apologized, Sasha, she obviously knows there is a problem. I’m pretty sure the lawsuit clued her in, as well.
I hope you’re right Rose. Let’s give her the benefit of the dought. Though I’m sure you’ve seen or heard people apologize, simply because it was asked or expected of them. I truly believe she’s a good person. Hopefully, she, like most of us, is constantly in a learning mode.
Let’s say it again.. all together now , “when we know better, we do better.”
I was raised during a time when in was inappropriate to call anyone black. We were taught to make every effort to make people feel comfortable. People change, our preferences change. If only we could learn not to label and debase each other life would be great.
I know, I’m living in la la land. But, it felt good for a moment.
after seeing huge blowups on facebook amongst friends, i thought arguments in any social media would never change anyone’s mind but this discussion changed mine. my initial reaction to her firing was that they should not have done it. sadly, i don’t know any non-racists, and anyone who says she isn’t has probably just not come to grips with it. but the more i’ve read here, the more i’ve thought about it, and it is not right.
i am mixed race (not black) and my man of 20 years is chinese–my first minority man. we’ve been subjected to shameful stuff here in california even among what seemed like very nice little old ladies & men in neighborhoods where we bought homes, in restaurants, at tourist spots, even shopping for fabric in marin county. racism is alive and well in america. i never saw it previously when i was young and pretty and dating exclusively white men (happenstance, not purposely). i didn’t know til my man and i found each other what he goes through daily in his job and pretty much anywhere he goes. i think it is time for more of us to take a stand and try to stop this stuff from happening. we’ve tolerated it for way too long. it has hurt us and our kids (speaking of minorities in general, not just us personally). again, it is not right.
my personal guess is that the food network is dealing with other race discrimination charges. if you are, and you become aware a key person is associated with race discrimination but don’t fire or severely sanction that person, it increases your liability in pending cases. paula deen has been connected with some race/sex discrimination charges for some time now, as well as with some ethical shadiness in terms of the diabetes stuff and endorsements. after her admissions in deposition, she became a liability for the network. i think that’s what it’s more about. her throwing out the sympathy card by claiming a horrific attack by a black man comes across as pure manipulation. my elderly relatives in delaware shocked me by using the N word publicly while out to breakfast, and stopped speaking to me after I called them on it. but they were in their late 80s, not a relative youngster like paula deen. i don’t care that it’s accepted where they live. it still does not make it right.
doubtful paula deen will lose her career over this. look at martha stewart: even substandard merchandise, product recalls, jail time, and losing her endorsement deals and show didn’t hurt her career one iota. she just found other companies to play with.
Chriselo, Paula definitely will not lose her career simply because her business ventures are more vast than just the Food Network.
I personally would not but her in the same category as Martha Stewart. As far as I know, Martha’s temporary decline didn’t involve racial and sexual abuse issues. As you can see, most people reacted quite differently.
IMO, the two are are on two ends of the spectrum. I’m just sayin
don’t agree. you are being way too literal. their cases are similar.
just look at your own statements: business ventures beyond one tv network, moral issues (insider trading and lying vs racism/sexual harassment), public reaction (firing). pretty darned similar.
My point is, people tend to forgive those who commit wrong doings involving money a lot faster than the Paulas of the world.
I tend to agree with TT, considering her age and so on, and she’s apologized — to me it’s over, she should not lose her entire career over it. I’m all for mocking her though.
I think they are a few people within this forum who are facing their own challenges with racism. They have either never experienced racism or where not properly briefed on what racism is all about and more importantly that there is no excuse for it. When I first heard this story, it wasn’t associated with rumors but Paula’s on words. I have not read that she was thirty when she stopped using racial slurs but only that It had been a long time. A long time is within that individuals definition. She could have deviated from saying it everyday and hasn’t said it in a month or so. That we do not know but what is a factor that she embraced the society which enslaved and brutalized a people by continuing to use the hurtful slurs associated with one of the most horrific times in U.S. history.
Because she grew up during this time, should I count on her to turn her hose on full blast and aim toward me as I pass her home? Again, there is no excuse for this behavior, her apologetic statements were made in the damage control mode. This circumstance, like many of the racially fueled events that have happened over the last year only solidifies what I have been saying all along. We are have taken so many steps back that we are walking right back into a brutal history.
And for those of you who feel that Paula’s gig on the Food Network will spiral her into financial ruins, think again, she has businesses everywhere and will not become destitute as a result of the Food Network doing their own damage control…it’s about business.
Racism?? Everyone at some point or another has made racist jokes about any ethnicity. I hear BS from people all the time, blacks talk about whites, whites talk about hispanics, asians about blacks. We are all guilty of being racist because of the stereotypes attached to a certain ethnicity, it is the degree of racism and actions that is the problem. Anyone who says their are not racist, is LYING.
Thank you @GreggQ… Why some people are excusing her behavior because of her age and where she was born is amazing…..smh
I don’t care how old she is or where she was born, she knows that this is not acceptable….
Bring on the speech police. As long as I’m not attacking anyone, I reserve the right to use whatever word I deem worthy.
Bigot defintion: One who is strongly partial to one’s own group, religion, race, or politics and is intolerant of those who differ.
Seemingly society & media can be the word police, but it is impossible for us to be the thought police. There are plenty of bigots in the metaphorical closet too. Some people probably have never verbalized or exhibited any bigotry. Imagine a society where we all had the ability to read other people’s thoughts.
Is thinking something bigoted, but by being tolerant, passive, & not acting on it by discrimination or prejudice still make you a bigot?
I like this blog, but i am really disappointed at the way this post and comments went. What she did was wrong and she should be fired for it. I am an HRD and if i used the N word for my associates I would be fired. Claiming ignorance and saying it was widely acceptable is no excuse. It doesn’t matter what rock she lived under we ALL know its wrong. She is a public figure and therefore is judged tougher then most other people would be but she should have known that. I am disappointed though that so many people see nothing wrong with her and this story. I was a fan of hers and it didn’t matter that she “hid” diabetes and such but this really pulls a string as I am married to a black man and if someone called him an N word i would personally beat them!
That’s admirable but don’t share that with any of his black friends for joking slang comments they make to each other when you’re not around!
You are out of your lane.
You have something against white women who marry black men? Hmmmm?
And from where did you pull that idea?
Awww ok, she is old and was reared in a different time and in the south ok, ‘ll give her that, but being a business woman she should know that some of what she has learned can’t be used in the business world. I give her credit for being honest, but many negatives for just being stupid. Do I think she should have lost her job and sponsorships YES. I my opinion she has felt that as long as your heart is good your mouth can be foul. No, no Paula most often the mouth speaks just what the heart is feeling. If her heart were truly not feeling bigoted than her mouth would have never spoken that word. She and her brother had apparently gotten away with it for FAR TOO LONG. I’m glad she has been called on the carpet for her actions. Sometimes, financial suffering is the only way a person recognizes their wrongs.
Even beyond her using the ‘N’ word, it is her behavior and mind-set.
I remember watching her show not that many years ago and she was excitedly sharing news of her brother’s wedding.
This is the same wedding where she wanted Black men and women to dress and behave as if it were an, ‘Old-fashion plantation wedding’ when they would have been slaves!
When she tried to explain another use of the word she said she had been robbed as a teller in a bank and she used the word to describe the experience to her husband.
Did the use of the ‘N’ word in the re-telling make things better for her?
When originally asked if she had used the word she replied, ‘Yes, of course’ as if she had been asked if she had showered that day.
I want nothing to do with such an racist.
This is simply the way that the woman thins
HELLO Im black and I used the “n” word and the “c” words last week. Its not my go to word when Im angry at someone of my race or another race. I have been discriminated against in
so many ways by people that are not using the word that I no longer care who uses these words or how they use them. So I am going to keep using my Paula Deen cook book and I hope that Pauly wanna c—-r has a nice life too.
Yeah and she should know better, but it seems everyone is too scared to correct her. I mean she doesn’t know that slavery wasn’t a good time for everyone? She needs an ethics class. And we had those shoes growing up, except we called them “chinese” shoes. And we stopped saying we cleaned our clothes with the, “ancient chinese secret” remember that commercial? When you know better, you do better.
Yeah… we had those shoes too and we NEVER used the phrase the blog author used. Never. And I’m 45. I’m pretty sure I’m older than most folks commenting. So I’m not sure how people would think that slur was ok.
I wish I knew what these shoes looked like. We did not have these in Finland. Sherri, I am 44 so you are not that old!!! The 40’s=FUN!!!!
If they are the same ones I remember, check out Amazon.com. Seach Mary Jane Cotton China Doll Slippers. We called them Mary Jane shoes.
Ahhh, those are cute! We call them kengät.
Grrrl, let me just say that you might want to consider the benefits of dating younger. My hubby is 16 years younger, is a hot Latino, has his own business, satisfies me spiritually and physically…oh and I own the Porsche. :-). September will bring 7 years together. May not last forever but it beats the older men I used to date! 🙂
You are like the 4th person to suggest going younger… hum.. I will think about it. I have a 23 yr old son, I don’t know it just feels creepy to me. My second husband was 3 yrs younger, that lasted 4 yrs. Aye carumba, a Latino, have you been to Andeles????
Wow. After reading the comments it is obvious that some of you need a pedestal and your own special place in heaven… Who hasn’t told ( or laughed at) an off color joke, used a derogatory word against someone of another color or sex? If you haven’t, then you are obviously a much better person and deserve a shiny halo. Does my mention of heaven or halo offend anyone?
Word…
Pointing out the funny difference between the races is not necessarily racist. Black comics do it all the time. That’s certainly different than calling someone a name in anger. Weird that people are either programmed to be so PC that they can’t see that, or are too stupid and humorless to see the funny in it.
White, Latino, Asians, etc. comics do it all the time not just Blacks. There’s a white comic named Gary Owen who talks about the differences in races all the time but from the perspective of a white man who is married to a Black woman with biracial children. So his perspective and vantage point are totally different that say Sarah Silverman who does “race” jokes all the time. I think discussing our differences based on race, religion, gender, etc., whether amongst friends or a comic just trying to make people laugh is totally normal. I’m personally not offended by that.
Let’s not hate someone because of their race or sex or age, let’s hate them because they are an idiot,
This lawsuit is not about that. This lawsuit is about the creation of a hostile work environment. It is not about who Paula and Bubba are and how they talk outside of work but the ways in which their actions and language create a hostile culture for their employees at work. So to answer your question in reference to the workplace, I would venture to guess that there are a lot people who may actually do what you asked at home or outside of work, who would never and have never done so while they were at work. There are all sorts of labor laws that govern the workplace – anti-discrimination, minimum wage requirements, how many breaks a person is required to get, FMLA, etc. When an employee reports a violation of those rules, it must always be investigated, and if the violations are proven then there are legal repercussions. That is what this lawsuit is about – nothing more and nothing less…
But her admission has nothin to do with the workplace. It was something she said in anger only to her husband after she had a gun pointed at her head by a fine, upstanding gentleman of color who I’m quite sure is a wonderful person and was driven to crime because white people are so horrid.
So you just talked yourself out of your point.
Firstly let me just say I am so tired of “white people” dictating what ‘black people” should or should not say. This is not your conversation to have, more importantly ‘we’ did not ask your opinion or commentary. Secondly I wondered where all of these apologist and “forgiving souls” for Ms Deen was when Isaiah Washington, Ray Hibbert, Roland Martin, Marlo Hampton and Mel Gibson were being chastised, suspended, fined or blackballed. #hypocrisy much
Wait….so…you’re telling “white people” what they can and cannot say? And you are allowed to do that because….
Sigh I understand that most people do not understand the nuances and complexities of major culture and white privilege. To answer your question, yes I am telling “white people” “you’ do not have the right to tell me if I can or cannot use the word that you created to degregate, mock and dehumanize “us”. Just a reminder slavery was abolished and you no longer have the right to tell us what we can and cannot do. Further to try to use the argument that certain black persons have said or use the word is false equivalency. If you still have problems grasping or comprehending my point i suggest you visit Tim Wise site or read up on his work on white privilege
KMHTEST- asking small-minded bigots to read is like asking Paula Deen to cook without butter…
This type of ignorance is generational. Our President is from Kenya… Zimmerman was justified killing a boy in a hooded sweatshirt who was armed with Skittles… God determines entry into Heaven based upon sexual preference… and did you know that 25% of the World population is Muslim and they’re ALL terrorists?!!
Haters gonna hate & Bigots are gonna excuse bigotry at every turn. Glad you tried calling them out…But they live in a dark cave and no matter how much light you try to shine in that cave…they prefer blindness.
Ok. I’m telling you “get the fuck over it. You don’t get to tell me what I can and can’t say. Your attitude makes me hate you and you’ll never make me like you by acting like an entitled dickhead”. But I honestly don’t think you want to be liked.
Teecee 66. I like TC – I have a father, a brother and my favorite cat named after our TC’s in family. May I respectfully ask where you get so so MUCH anger ? Hey don’t get me wrong – half of my family is straight from Italy – so I’ve known outright, horrible rage and my Mom & I saw violence almost everyday since I was a kid – I (could) have “tons” of rage suppressed inside of me sometimes, but christ, it’s not good for anyone. Ever had your jaw broken for speaking your mind ? — I have ! You’re hating words on a simple computer screen coming from someone you don’t know. It’s weird to share things here, but we can’t perpetuate vitriol ! (sometimes I used to pin pillows w/photos of guys I hated and punched them around… sometimes a xanni would help me sleep, doobies used to make me laugh, eat cookies & dance all day to music I really loved, alone in my room) …There are so many real bad things in the world to get so mad about. ~ Take care of you ! 🙂
Oh dear god. Shut the fuck up. I have no anger. It’s amusing that you are talking down to me. I see why you got your jaw broken.
I’m just not going to pretend to feel guilty and like someone who is acting like an asshole. I wonder if black people know how many white people are lying and faking. I certainly don’t dislike someone because they are black. But dear god, do not expect me to like someone simply because they are black. Or pretend to like them, like most white people do.
Hey TEECEE66 ! ~ HEE HEE – you should be banned for being an obnixous little women who is rude to Tamara’s guests which so far, now includes me too. Can you contribute anything more than telling other people to SHUT THE FUCK UP? Your “lack of class” is showing so we can all just sit back and read off that big chip on your shoulder loud and clear and watch your brain pop with all that venom you are splaying. Between all of the “sort-of-points” you have tried to make, least be good or even bad you have smothered them in your childish response with the fuck-you’s and shut-ups – But thank you for playing… 🙂
Oh & by the way – Keep you mouth open while all that shit falls out of it and I’m sure you’ll get your dues sooner or later. You’re a nasty rude and hateful loser – the stench of it is all over you !
What language is that? I’ve no clue what you are trying to say.
It’s funny how you are calling me names though. You seem very angry. Maybe you need therapy. Heh.
Don’t you see ? -“You” are the case & point, exactly !
Saw someone say TC should be banned and that just makes me need to post this for everyone’s enjoyment – http://s17948.p858.sites.pressdns.com/2013/05/17/the-blogger-vents/comment-page-1/#comment-44686
“And when stupid people show up… I’m not expected to be NICE right? I try to be tolerant. But there is a reason I don’t ban TC… I’m just saying.”
EXACTLY @kmhtest!!!!!
Can we all agree that there are freedoms that people have in their personal lives (using racial epithets, watching porn, etc.) that are not OK to exercise in the workplace? If we can agree that this is true, we should also be able to agree that when someone violates the rules that govern the workplace there will be repercussions up to and including termination as well as EEOC and civil penalties. We absolutely cannot regulate people’s personal beliefs or dictate what language is appropriate for whom, by whom, and about whom “at home”. Nonetheless, we absolutely must hold people accountable when their personal beliefs spill over into public spaces like the workplace.
Finally, I am always so disappointed by how easily most people allow media outlets to manipulate and control dialogues. Because the media led with a controversial headline about Paula Deen and the n-word, that is all MOST (of course not all) discussions have been about. However, this is really about hostile work environments, the people who perpetuate them (Bubba), the people in positions of power who are complicit in condoning them due to their inaction (Paula), and how most often people of color, women, and the LGBTQ community are the victims when hostile work environments are tolerated or excused. As a Black feminist, I am equally concerned about actions and language that violate me and make me uncomfortable as a woman, as a person of color, and as a human being that is committed to inclusion and diversity.
So let’s not focus on how Paula and her brother were raised, words they may or may not have used outside of their businesses, what those words really mean to them, whether everyone has used a racial slur in their personal life, whether or not she’s really racists, clueless, or just plain stupid. Rather our focus should be: did the things they did or said at their businesses create a hostile work environment? Honestly, that is the only question the judge/jury if it goes to trial is going to consider.
I somberly wonder – Is our melting pot MELTING ? – When America was landed & boldly claimed as OUR own it’s Native Peoples were invaded, murdered, occupied, then stuck in plats of “concentrated” land regions to live in poverty & squaller without benefit of access and remains so, today. Short of TOTAL genocide this fantastic piece of earth became “our” home. Our cultural differences clash because our families either immigrated here by choice OR were forced here to live in terrible “servitude” of others. These people sought freedom to “have” things or sought exile “from” things.” Poverty, intolerance, oppression, greed… the long list goes on & on. We are all but 3 1/2 generations from those who fought the Amer. Revolution, (of which my Mother’s family came) and with respect to other territory wars notwithstanding, KILLING OUR OWN brethren with more hatred, more blood, more gore and more pain, greater numbers brutally lost their lives in the Civil War (ironically named) more than any other wars we as a nation have fought ! — ? Do we really want to go back there ? — While we may enjoy certain degrees of freedom in our lives I am sure ALL of us have something about each other one would find subjective to 1 kind of prejudice or another ! – If I exclude you from trying to relate to my plight than you will no longer be able to understand it – If you exclude ME from yours – I too, will become ignorant of your suffering. Societies ills are ALL of our ills, like it or not, YOU and I ARE still part of that society as a whole. If you are privileged enough to have security, to live in a mansion high atop a hill behind gated divides, and can afford to live by an artillery of munitions than you are in your own bubble of the world and can dismiss the rest of us as torrent – for a time in history. ~ Divide and Conquer, Folks..! There is a medieval joke… As the King & Queen sat upon their thrones in their magnificent tower observing “their masses” slaughtering each other below… the King looks to his Court Jester and says, “The peasants are REVOLTING, but you, I like ! Now, Jester, make me laugh some more !
Well, well, well. I haven’t read all the comments but enough to see there are people who are like big deal and others who are like OF COURSE IT’s A BIG DEAL. So I feel like some of the people on here don’t understand that the ONLY reason this has come to light is because of deposition transcript. She was asked questions by a court official of some sort and had to answer them. It is not like she called people racial slurrs last week on the streets or something. It seems this case is more upset that her brother is a disgusting perv and makes the women who work there uncomfortable. Still yet most of this case is going to be an employee’s word against the owners. Georgia is still struggling with equality. And things that people say and do there may not be something the rest of us understand, because most things are about perception and your environment. I just don’t know what to think about a state that still has segregated proms FFS ( for fucksake)!!! Get a grip people. Paula Deen may be annoying as all hell but this is ridiculous!! The case isn’t done and there are still many facts that have yet to be revealed. Oh wait segregated proms in 1013? Who knew. . http://www.cnn.com/2013/04/30/living/wilcox-integrated-prom
oops 2013. . .
Tina – makes no difference – NOTHING new under the sun ! If your history tells you nothing – than you are hell-bound to relive it all over again. This aint a ‘trend’ thing. Ignorance ain’t bliss !
Tina, since I’ve never blogged with you – I wanted to respectfully ask you how much thought and how long did it take to come up with “opps 2013” ?
Come on – give it deeper thought.
Ok – Now we both posted at the same time and then I read your reply. So i mistook your response as ?? 2013 – 2013 !! – My duh ! – Sorry about that.
I agree with waiting for “all” the facts of Ms. Dean’s case to come out but believe this blog is representative of a bigger dialog all over the country.
I personally don’t give a “chicken’s ass” over what happens to Paula Dean. Her choices – her peril. I am working hard to get 2 more weeks of groceries on the table I can’t afford. ~ Oppression of people is a big thing all over the world. From top to bottom. I come from a time when it was in your face everyday – and so much was at cost. We are of an incoming generation that sought radical change of the statis quo and paved progress that so many enjoy as normal now. But there is again so much to do…. it’s heartbreaking to me to hear & see so much discord. Appologies to cross-blog hastiness.
Tina, I know that you read a paper or saw a television snippet about segregated proms, but how do you know Georgia? I know her and her people because I am one. I would put my little town in very south Georgia up against your town any day and twice on Sunday on the matter of racial prejudice. If you are speaking of prejudice here from personal knowledge you should say so, and if you are quoting what you saw or read you should say that as well. Many people self-segregate b/c of likes and dislikes, for example most of our churches are still segregated BY CHOICE. As a community, we work together on the problems of our time such as high school drop-out rates and teenage pregnancies. We vote with and for each other. Aren’t you just brushing Georgia with your prejudices? I must say that it hurts me for you to do so and I think most people here would be offended that you do not recognize peace when it does exist.Since I’m white, if I were to be elected to the US House, do you believe I would be welcomed and invited to join the CBC (Congressional Black Caucus)? Is that racist/discrimination? There are indeed problems all over the world, but we are much more alike than we are different.
Amen… I am from a small GA town also and I would put my town against any other.
Um, not to interrupt with facts, but if anyone is interested in reading the deposition in a case that has little to do with Paula, other than the fact that her brother has a half interest in a restaurant under her corporate umbrella, you can see exactly what she said. If you get bored in the middle scroll to the end for the wedding party with black waiters story.
http://www.scribd.com/doc/148813272/Transcript-of-the-Testimony-of-Paula-Deen-Date-May-17-2013
Greg Q did you notice the indignation in her response, “Wait….so…you’re telling “white people” what they can and cannot say? And you are allowed to do that because….” AND I AM ALLOWED TO DO THAT BECAUSE… lol. I cannot wait for 2030 (or 2050 depending on which projections you believe) when Caucasians for the first time in contemporary history become a minority group. i predict mass exodus, spiked increases in depression and suicides; “they” will not be able to deal with (in my best Miss Celie voice) what you done did to us will be done to you. LOL I predict the greatest civil rights resurgence in history, suddenly things like affirmative action, anti discrimination laws, anti profiling laws, police brutality reviews, economic redlining and things of that nature will suddenly matter. I pray Ms Deen lives long enough to experience this shift in the social, economic and racial powers.
Kmhtest – Hi ! I come from families who spent 3 generations fighting and standing up for inequailty and against hate, racism and intolerance and especially of the poor, too ! Do you wish that for your lives, for your future, really ? I do not wish those things for others. The causasian race is a minority now. We are alive and enjoying things are elders never dreamed possible because of solidarity not divisions and not so very long ago. But I just come from damn Yankees. 🙂 My ancestors had “the” underground RR hidden in their cellar in PA. “Content of character !” I don’t want anyone to treat you badly nor do I want anyone to treat mine badly so as long as they are taught to treat others the same.
Unfortunately, you and people like yourself and your family are in the minority. My point is (and has been proven through imperial research) is that white privilege exist and even though you may not consciously be aware of it, there are benefits afforded to you as being a part of the majority culture. As populations shift issues that have plagued African Americans and Latinos (which seem to allude the comprehension of some Caucasians) will suddenly become personal and apparent.
I know Kmhtest, I realize that – seems the more people have the more people want to take it away. I deal with my own version of discrimination too and probably not like you do. I watched 2 of the strongest women I knew – struggle to even be allowed to buy their a bra at a local dept. store because the account had to signed by their ‘HUSBANDS’. And the 3 of us, my Grandma, my Mom and myself had to walk everywhere most every day if we could not afford a cab because they couldn’t buy a car on their own. My Mom wasn’t supposed to be even able to drive. Couldn’t even get a divorce on your own without the husband consenting with the lawyers or UNLESS you had a family with lots of money and town clout. …Go home Little Lady and just take care of you’re kids and be a good wife with dinner ready. It’s not in the scale of what I witnessed happened to others because of race in this country – it wasn’t that blatent – but it was still a lack of progress, hateful and condesending too. I am sorry the way things have been glossed over for so many but it can change by degrees, it really can ! Just needs to be without some much hatred – so much fuel for the raging fire hateful people thrive on.
Uuumh kmhtest, imperial is of or relating to an empire, emperor, or empress… in other words royalty so that couldn’t be the research you are talking about. Empirical research is information that is gathered without using the scientific method or theory. So, I am somewhat confused by what research you are referring to regarding white privilidge and these unknown benefits we have from somewhere.
Lol. First, you’re too stupid to comment in the right place. Then, you take my response to the poster whining about being told what to do while simultaneously telling someone else what to do completely out of context to try to make me seem bigoted. That’s precious. And might work in some people. But not on me. Do me a favor. Re-read the whole exchange with me as a black woman and the other poster as white. Replace all the blacks with whites and vice versa. Then tell me who you are outraged at.
It’s amusing how you’re programmed to respond in only one way. Well…it would be amusing if it weren’t so scary. It’s going to be a long, ugly summer. Thanks for that.
I understand you are simply following the “manual” of persons such as yourself, when you do not have anything substantive to say you levy insults and make personal attacks. However I apologize to you I should have followed the advice of George King, “Don’t argue with idiots. They drag you down to their level and beat you with experience”. You have certainly show me that you excel in this particular area. Lest you contend that I am making a slur against you, I have provided you with the definition of an idiot (a la Wikipedia) ” someone who acts in a self-defeating or significantly counterproductive way”. All the best to you.
snipped [kmhtest]
“….I understand you are simply following the “manual” of persons such as yourself…”
tsk tsk
Persons such as yourself?
Is that the politically correct way of saying “you people” ???
Using the new and approved lingo does not mean the problem has gone away or that anyone has a greater understanding of it now then they did before.
kh
My words are quite clear, persons such as yourself, i.e., persons who share that particular worldview. However, you are free to infer whatever your particular ideology or slant you wish to my words.
See my response to Sasha above about assuming people are rascist because they are not ass-licking apologists from the get-go. Okay I’ve had my say. No offense to you ass-licking apologists.
Oh and good luck with running the county when the great revolution happens. Lol. I quite sure you won’t screw it up.
What happens if another idealogy comes HERE and hates us “ALL” ? – Ever hear of the 2nd WORLD War ? ~ A thumbnail size country – trying to rule the world – twice !
I think Paula Deen is getting what she deserves. Regardless to how the world views the n word being used whether it is in the north south east or west she should not have used that type of language. I think the Food network and all the other sponsors are just trying to protect their best interest and if they have consumers across the board of all races and cultures they want to send a message to the community that they do not discriminate and they will not tolerate this type of behavior.
Wow! It’s refreshing to see some positive comments on this subject. I just read last night’s posts and poor Sasha got bashed really hard for trying to stand against racism, bigotry and outright cruelty. I can’t believe all the laughter about these subjects.
Katelin – You’ll need your best foot here ! – As they said on the Titanic – is falling apart fast !! 🙂 Later on the Jodi blogs !
Thank you JustUs – I’m hanging in here. It’s been pretty rocky.
So did anyone actually bother to read the deposition? I linked to it above. It’s quite clear from reading this that the white woman suing Paula for a hostile work environment had the issue with Bubba and that Paula has nothing to do with the day to day running of Bubba’s restaurant.
Also the plantiff tried to extort 12 million dollars out of Paula or she would take Bubba (and in a legal since Paula since she is half owner in absentia) to court.
I read it TT, and I agree. I guess people don’t get the issue.
Last year at a rival school for a football game, my 12 and 10 year old sons were watching the game from the front row. During half time, the rival team’s flag corp and band took the field. While they were waiting to take the field, a black member of the flag corp looked at my children ( and many others) and asked ” what are you looking at CRACKER?” With no provocation at all. So question for ya- is that ok in your book? I had to explain to my children what that meant and why she may have said that to a group of children. I’m guessing most of you think it’s ok, however, had someone yelled a derogatory comment to her based on her skin color, all HELL would have broken loose.
Shellbelle – I don’t know who your phrase “most of you” refers to, but, I personally don’t think its o.k. My heart hurts when I hear of or see anyone subjected to such meanness. Kids are generally innocent victims in such foolishness. Though it isn’t acceptable behavior, hopefully, it was an isolated incident.
Image having to deal with that type of treatment on a regular basis.
Why do we give words such power? If someone called me a cracker or a honky… I would just laugh and keep on walking…. This has got to be about more than words!
I am going to show my age… but this whole thing reminds me of two songs from the 80’s:
Lies, LIes, LIes… from the Thompson Twins
and
What are Words For… Missing Persons
So, someone should keep walking if they are called nigger then, right?
yep, it’s only a word!
Everytime we bring this shit up again it set us back another 20 years! Let’s move on!!!
Have you ever noticed that if there is ANY kind of post about an animal on FB… Dog, cat, whatever… that it NEVER gets negative comments? When did we start loving our pets more than humans? I love my Dog.. but, really? Where did all the compassion go?
You know what… to be honest.. I don’t even know what Nigger means or why we can’t say it? All I know is my best friend, who is black and from Jersey wont let me put her purse on the floor…she cusses me out every time. Whatever! She goes off on some “I am going to loose money rant” So I pick up her purse and put it on the counter… and we are done. Enough said. My gosh people! Get a grip!
TT, I read the deposition several days ago and it seems Paula Deen’s brother was the culprit that started the problem. But, she owns the restaurant he runs so she is being held responsible. I do hope he gets some help. And I’ll bet he gets an ear full every time she sees him.
Sadly, based on what I read of the depo she is drawing fire onto herself deliberately to save him. None of this is about race at all but about sexual harassment. But you would not know that from the media. That’s her Bubba and she has chosen to go down with him on the ship. 🙁 Even her sons were on CNN saying they were not sure why she said some of the things she said.
Sadly, TT, this is why I voted against covering the Zimmerman trial. Who knew Paula Deen, of all people, would blow us up bigger than that trial. I think I said a couple of weeks ago that I wouldn’t join the trial talk b/c of man’s inhumanity to man. Point proven. Still hope no one stand’s in your sunshine or weakens your drinks. 🙂
TT keeps highlighting real facts, yet no one (including media) is really talking about the fact that the plaintiff in this case is WHITE. Trust me, the white plaintiff ain’t suing because she’s trying to further the black cause. It’s really about sexual harassment case, which appears not to be a strong case — unless I’m missing something. IMO, PD’s lawyer really dropped the ball here. Racism claims should have been dismissed before depos even taken. I don’t see issue as being as simple as media has been making it. Deen has effed up views about AAs; yet she also employs and helps a lot of African-Americans. People are complicated. They can say/do racist or inappropriate things and yet also help and promote minorities. White Plaintiffs can claim to be offended, yet really be suing just to make money, which AAs will never benefit from. Not as “black and white” as everyone tends to view the issue. Media/ppl so reactionary.
Oh, Dish, why you gotta bring facts into it? As soon as the word nigger becomes involved, everyone loses their shit and no one cares what the real facts are. 🙂
Here is some (more) person info on me. When I was about six I was on a bus in Libya going on a school field trip and another kid kind of out of the blue said to me, “If you say GD you are going to hell.” I’m confused and mortified ( a few weeks later someone would tell me what fuck meant and that my parents did it and I really wanted to punch the girl in the face for being such a lying bitch) Anyway, I didn’t know what GD was I thought it was just two letters that you can’t say together or you would burn in hell (I was raised southern Baptist so this was a real fear) then she said no it means God Dammit. and I thought well, so you think you are going to hell now? I was really into new testament God at the time and explained God was a good dude and would not send you to hell for saying words. You had to be a really bad person for that and like break a commandment. I thought the entire concept of a word sending you to hell was ridiculous and the kid was a retard. (heh see what I did there?)
Anyway when I returned to the us in not one but TWO schools during the lovely experience of middle schools (two schools) the teacher paraded me in in front of the class and said I was from Africa. So I was called nigger all through my middle school years. (Sand nigger was eventually just shortened.) THis was in CHICAGO and Atlanta btw. I guess it was the whole sticks and stones thing but I thought it was just ridiculous. Childlike. I don’t understand grown people freaking out over one word or another. I also know some words from other countries that would send people there into an equal sort of tizzy. It’s all very bizarre when you live in other countries and realize they all have words that make people absolutely irate.
My husband lived in Saudi as a kid in an American camp, his dad worked for an oil company. “Sand N-gger” was their term for the Saudi men. All of the Americans and Europeans there used that term. (This woulda been in the late ’70s to 80’s, my husband is 42.) Saudi men aren’t what I would consider black, so apparently this N word can be used for anyone… I agree that people give words too much power.
TT — my jaw dropped to read about your experiences. People can be so cruel and ignorant….and also reactionary. I can’t believe TT would like any white person after that…I’m just a white chick, but I’ve been a minority living in other countries, so I’m not totally ignorant. I detest the “N” word and discrimination (even traveled to the US Supreme Court to observe arguments in affirmative action landmark case), but I’m getting a little sick of how we choose to vilify people because of “spin” by the press unsupported largely by the actual facts. I think PD has a sickening “paternalistic, old south” view of black folks, but should she be crucified? I haven’t read any testimony where she called someone that to their face or demeaned them (unlike TT’s experiences as a child, which are atrocious). I think she’s been shamed enough. Wal-Mart dropped her…and has anybody been outraged by how they treat their employees? Lack of benefits, low wages, etc. At least they treat everyone equally and don’t use the “N” word.
TT – May I ask how you came to be in another country @ that age ? Did you’re experinces not make you callus because you had been exposed to other cultures ? I’m hoping you had family to go to when someone made you feel that way ! Hearts to you for telling us – why do I get the feeling that was unusual for you to do ? 🙂
(Disher – there has been many outright protests and petitions circulating about Walmart’s unfair practices since 2008 bubble and for the last, at least 2 yrs now. Do you ever watch Dr. Melissa Harris Perry ? She covers a wide array of these top-of-news stories. I believe Walmart tumbles through them as quickly as possible then does emense PR damage control) Landmark decisions – how cool.
It really wasn’t more traumatic than anyone else’s middle school experiences. 🙂 Everyone gets called names in middle school at some point. My father’s work caused us to move around a good bit during my school years. I would not change a thing. A global view of the world is a great thing to have at any age. My comment was made to show that at a very young age I realized that people were very weird about certain words. even to the point that the mere utterance of some could send you straight to hell. I knew better than that at age 6.
Thank you for sharing the tale. Since you mentioned words in other countries, years agoI had to calm down an Italian girl, and by Italian I mean living IN Italy, after an online conversation where a fellow spades player (on yahoo games) called her a word that in her part of the world meant stupid or idiot. The word? Silly. Seriously, it was “silly”.
Disher, I agree with you about the plaintiff. She worked at that restaurant for years. If she was so upset about Bubba’s treatment of African America workers why didn’t she take action sooner. It seems sort of suspect that this came about when she didn’t get the promotion she wanted!
Quote of the day:
Anyone can find fault — it’s not a sign of anything other than moderate brain activity. It’s much harder to offer creative criticism that actually improves the situation for everyone involved.
BREAKING NEWS IN VEGAS, Caesars has cut its’ ties with Paula Deen.
Creative criticism or constructive criticism? I’ve always thought constructive criticism was an oxymoron.
Why don’t black folks demand that the WHITE plaintiff in this case, should she prevail, donate some of that cash to support a minority cause — or the black employees who were actually hurt by such racism? I’d also be very interested to know whether a black or white employee replaced her.
I think it’s sad that Paula’s career has gone down in flames because of her indiscretion and seeming igorance in this area.. I am a black woman, 6 years younger than Paula, and I am in the south, andI don’t hear that particular word bandied about. Well, not around me, anyway. I know that it is used, just like all the other bad words we have thought up as a society to use and put people down in ignorance, but I never hear it said around me. I hear other slurs that make me really angry, and I bless out whoever said it on the spot. I may just be fortunate at not hearing the “n word”, or people sense not to be ignorant around me, I don’t know. I know she admitted to saying it 30 years ago. I don’t believe that was the only time, but that’s just my thought. She seemed so confused in her apologies, as if she really didn’t know what to say at all, so she was just reaching for anything to rescue herself. She seemed so shellshocked in the interview with Lauer. Did she not have a PR person to guide her? I know she is still lost because brought up that she hears her younger employees using it with each other. I can tell you that there is a problem with that, and that is very real. I don’t know why some groups use slurs with each other, but then dare someone else to do the same. It probably made her feel that maybe the word isn’t bad after all. Honestly, to me, she doesn’t seem to be well read, or particularly sophisticated about life and society, etc. All that said, I think it is sad for her and all her of employees that all of the companies she had deals with are closing ranks around her and shutting her out. It must be horrible for all those people to face losing their income and pride at being aligned with her and her brand. I think all the companies that severed ties are possibly using this instance to appear that they are totally politically correct, which we all know they are not, and fool the public into spending even more $ with them. This could be a way for them to increase revenues in a down market, possibly. What does kind of sadden me even more than her using the word is how nasty everyone has been to each other on here. It’s usually funor at least interesting to get on here and read the comments, even for serious issues, like the Arias trial. I don’t remember everyone being so nasty before on here. We just aren’t aren’t respecting each other. Even though we disagree. So we are all sniping at each other on here and other blogs, people will lose jobs, her career is shot.The whole thing is just sad.
Whoever Paula is paying to advise her through this crisis owes her a refund. I thought yesterday’s interview was horrible. I think I might have gone more along the line of Psalms’ sackcloth and ashes. Jesus spoke those words to the leaders of the church in that day. PD was speaking to a different audience. Just awful comparison IMO. I usually like her folksy way of speaking but yesterday was well, strange.
peachteachr is right She just sounded scatterred and off. I don’t know why she didn’t hire one of those PR people,like all the other disgraced celebs do, to do damage control. She just sounded jumbled and desperate. Sad.
I just heard on CNN that she has hired a new CRISIS MANAGEMENT team. Hopefully she can pull out of this nose dive.
Target, Walmart and even her DIABETES sponsorship have all been yanked. I feel so sorry for her. It’s not the financial part, it’s her reputation….bless her heart.
Ummm, TT, I see what you did there with that ‘bless her heart’ comment. 🙂
Peach, you of all people should know that his whole bless your heart is ALWAYS condescending. It’s the same as Oh, GREAT! Sometimes it means YAY GREAT THIS IS FANTASTIC and other times it means, Oh Great, this is going to suck hind tit. It depends on tone, inflection and intent.
From TMZ Today:
Paula Deen has filed legal docs in the lawsuit that sent her career into a free fall — claiming the woman who’s suing her is trumping up racial allegations and now Paula is out for blood.
Lisa Jackson — who was fired as manager of Uncle Bubba’s Seafood and Oyster House — is asking for damages based on racial harassment, claiming she’s African-American adjacent. As for Jackson’s proof she’s got African-American ties, she points to her partner’s biracial niece, whom Jackson claims is half Black.
According to Paula’s new legal docs — obtained by TMZ — Jackson’s niece is NOT Black at all … not even a little. Paula says Jackson’s partner has now admitted the niece is Hispanic — NOT Black.
And Paula’s especially pissed that Jackson alleged in her lawsuit that Paula used the N-word in connection with Bubba’s wedding, yet has never offered a shred of proof that the word was used.
So now Paula wants the judge to throw the book at Jackson, fining her with sanctions for creating a bogus racial harassment case.
Too bad for Paula. The charges hit too close to home because we half expect southern whites to be racist mainly because so many of them are, just like we expect black kids in the ghetto to be surly. So what she will no longer make millions. It is not like she is going to the woman’s shelter or needs career retraining because they relocated the factory she worked at to China. Old girl will be just fine.
Oh and BTW some Hispanics are descended from Africans. My mother is Cuban and she and I are as brown as chocolate and twice as delicious. Some whites think some Hispanics are so dark they might as well be black. Maybe she thought close enough….
Did you even read what Tamara posted? The woman suing her is not hispanic. She’s dating someone who has a half Hispanic niece. Why would you say she thought “close enough”?
I read it sweetie that is why I made the sarcastic comment at the end of my posting. Some whites (possibly like the chick that is suing her) do think of some Hispanics (especially the darker ones) as well be black. Maybe she was just out and out lying or maybe she thought close enough to get her foot in the door on the whole I have a pony in this racism card game they are playing. In the end this ploy may not work but like so many other tactics sh*t gets thrown and people just wait to see what sticks.
I read it sweetie that is why I made the sarcastic comment at the end of my posting. Some whites (possibly like the chick that is suing her) do think some Hispanics (especially the darker ones) might as well be black. Maybe she just out and out lied or maybe she thought close enough to get her foot in the door on the whole I have a pony in this racism card game she is playing. In the end this ploy may not work but like so many other tactics sh*t gets thrown and people just wait to see what sticks.
I’m not your sweetie.
You are obviously bigoted against white people.
TT- stop with the defense that Paula is the victim here… How could she do a 13 minute interview on the Today Show and never once say “I’m sorry.” Instead she opted for the victim role and somehow cried throughout the entire interview without even one tear drop ever coming out…. She acknowledged knowing her brother Bubba was sexually harassing the female manager /plaintiff; but excused it because Bubba is addicted to porn. Great way to handle the business you OWN. (Intentional reference to Oprah’s network that must be pissed at having helped promote Paula all these years.) WTF.
Now others employees of Color have said when they worked at Paula’s home events she only paid them with a 6-pack of beer. When one Black employee stated he wanted to be paid in cash due to a newborn at home (plus he doesn’t drink)- her insensitive response was he was lucky to even have the job.
She also openly admits to wanting to throw a Civil War themed event at her restaurant where she would have all Black waitstaff dress and play the role of Slaves.
Of course her only defense now (following her bigoted admissions in her deposition) is to attack the plaintiff. She has to settle this case as it’s a prima facia case of a hostile work environment.
TT you lose credibility now trying to hang Paula’s bigot hat on the fact that someone is Hispanic vs African American.
Grossest part of all this is that her restaurants are more crowded than normal and her cruise ship appearance sold out and is expanding to a second cruise event.
But the issue really isn’t how many times Paula Deen called Black people Niggers or how many years ago… This case (similar to the Chick-fil-A matter last year or even when our Country was voting to re-elect President Obama) is further proof of the ugly fact that bigotry is still alive (and thriving) in the USA (and seems to be tolerated more below the Mason- Dixon line).
Perhaps in your reading of the comment you missed the part that it was from TMZ? Please refer your stammering sobs of racism to Harvey Levin. Thanks in advance.
Everyone’s a little bit racist. Not as good as embedding thevideo. Fucking kindle.
Anti Kindleist!! That was a Kindleist slur.
Question that I think is the heart of he matter here: is anyone who has used the word nigger in an angry way automatically racist? Someone decided that that is a foregone conclusion and I’m not so sure it is. Have you ever called someone a “bastard” in anger? Are you prejudice against babies of unwed parents? You must be!! Have you ever used the word “guido” or ” guinea-tee”. Or do you ever claim you were gypped? You KNOW that is a slur against Eastern European gypsies, right? So you must be prejudice against all of them.
I cl people retarded all the time. Or Amish. Or mongoloid. I can assure you I have nothing against those particular groups.
This week has been depressing. Lots of people giving power to a word that has little meaning and is just a derivation of negro. The race. I feel like the world is falling for the most elaborate, ridiculous practical joke ever.
Unfortunately for dumb ole Paula Deen, she’s dead in the water and should shut her trap and live her life on the fortune she’s amassed so far. I don’t think her restaurant will suffer on bit. But she’s done. Like Jimmy The Greek and others who have had their reputations destroyed over the farce that says we are the same but different but white people can’t ever point out the difference. Or expect to be treated the same. Because we are different.
It would be swell if black..African…negros?…would put themselves in white people shoes now and then. Benefit of the doubt and innocent until proven guilty are a one-way street.
Can I get the phonetic spelling of this one? guinea-tee and the people it offends… Is it them there eyetalians? I wanna try to start using that one. Thanks.
You say it like you’d say guinea pig. It’s a wife beater.
Oh and I hereby declare that they can’t be called guinea pigs now. Kuts like the confederate flag, I don’t CARE what it means to YOU. I’m abolishing it.
TT – Y’all did already ! – My step-mother used that term all the time after she married into my father’s family. Apparently they y’all use the term “Eye-talians” way down in the “hollars” of Olive Hill, KY – where I hear the comic strip “Little Abner” was fashioned after. So, I guess it’s true, the old Italian saying, “You shouldn’t shit where you eat !” Never heard of Guinea-tee. A God Damn Guinea-Wop maybe, but no tee ! ~ Hey we left out the Greeks !
Teecee66- not trying to be offensive here- but your attitudes (evidenced in your thousands of hateful rants on this blog alone) are hardly the standard of what we should be striving for. The more we call out racism when we see it- the closer we get to becoming a more compassionate Nation.
ps. Save yourself time & energy and merely photocopy one of your many hateful retorts.Yawnnnnnn
It’s not necessary to scream racist a thousand times over the same topic. Some thoughts can stay inside your head. For example I think you are a fucking retard, but I hardly ever point that out to you. See how that works? TeeCee, much like you, simply prefers to keep reminding you of your stupidity over and over. I suppose she thinks this might help you to examine your thoughts. She’s actually much nicer than me. I general dismiss your comments without a thought,
Great argument, Greg. You know I’m right and you can not counter my words, so instead you screech that I’m “hateful”. Explain to me what is “hateful” about my post. And give me just five examples of my “thousands of hateful RANTS” here.
Go ahead. I’m waiting.
Btw, nice touch prefacing with “not trying to be offensive”. You sure fooled everyone with that. Especially me. ::eye roll::
I’m yawning at your crap GreggQ. Go play language and race police elsewhere.
You sound like a lovely person to be around with that vocabulary. P.C. don’t live there huh?
This blog used to be witty commentary about reality TV… But has gotten too KKK friendly. I’m out.
Bye! Common sense wins and we can all agree that the Emperor is naked.
This blog reminds me of my family…never a dull moment here or at my house as some one, usually one of the g’kids, slamming the door and saying, “I hate this house!” LOL
LOL most normal people who decide not to read a blog anymore just ex out the page. Idiots like Greg make a comment announcing their exit and sadly, never really leave.
Paula Deen is worth $16 million dollars, she will do quite well no matter what happens.
That is the truest thing posted, 16 mil wipes away a lot of tears.
I think she can come through ok. All day on fb I am seeing tons of likes and shares of photos supporting her, the best is a photo of her next to that rapper who walked on the American flag during a video taping, saying something like, “Paula got fired for saying something 26 yrs ago, this guy walks on the flag and his record company didn’t fire him”. And then there’s the one about how Walmart needs to stop selling cds from rappers using the N word and saying racist things, if they are gonna quit Paula. People who I know are liberal and/or black/other race are posting these, so it’s not a race or political issue anymore, it’s a common sense issue.
It was at her restaurant. She was on a tv interview calling for her black asst and told him to come closer because he was so dark she couldn’t tell him from the black background. People see nothing wrong with but she admitted to telling racial jokes. She is ignorant and needs to just be quiet. No more interviews for a while. She will rebound if she shuts up. Can’t do without her? Go on one of her senior citizens cruises!
“African-American adjacent?” (Oops…turned out to be Hispanic adjacent). Are you fucking kidding me with that b.s.
I am so disturbed by what I have read here. Although I have never commented on this site, I read it often and really enjoyed the posts for the most part. After reading the ignorance and the hatred that is clearly supported by TT, I will NEVER read this site again and I will encourage anyone I know that reads this blog to quit as well. You are free to be as bigoted as you want to be but I will not support you with page views.
I really feel sorry for some of the posters on this site. Truly sad. By spewing out so much negativity into the universe, you are only hurting yourselves.
NOW LOOK WHAT YOU PEOPLE HAVE DONE!!!
I didn’t do it I swear! I have been reading the Princess’ blog for the blind and good stuff like that. I am sad for Sad, So Very Sad but if you use that for your tag line your just putting it out there to the universe to be well, sad.
I find it weird she has been lurking here so long and just now decided to post to point out our negativity, hatred and ignorance. We are sort of know for that, no?
Some of our better qualities.
I might have expected it in the Zimmerman or even Arias rooms but Paula Deen?? I thought we were fairly well behaved. However, there has been so much worse bigotry on display of late = I put Paula on the back burner on low.
Well clearly she is a slow reader and hasn’t gotten to the big brother posts or the Princesses of LI posts, and certainly not the Zimmerman posts. It’s probably best she left when she did.
It was one of those one comment wonders. Never commented before but now must clearly state her departure as if we would notice or care.
On Mon, Jul 8, 2013 at 5:06 PM, Tamara Tattles
I read this today about Paula Deen.
A New York man who allegedly tried to extort a quarter of a million dollars from former Food Network star Paula Deen was arrested today by federal authorities.
A criminal complaint filed in Savannah, GA says that the Newfield, NY resident sent an email to Deen’s attorney Greg Hodges threatening to go to the news media with “true and damning” statements that would allow Lisa Jackson’s case to be won on it’s merit alone but the price to get that information was 250,000.
Hodges contacted the FBI to report the email, and the FBI directed him to reply to it. Hodges and Paculis exchanged several emails, and Paculis provided several examples of information that he believed “would damage your client in so many ways that it would sink your ship before it left the dock,” the complaint says.
Hodges and Paculis eventually spoke by phone and Paculis said he wanted $250,000 net and didn’t want a paper trail, the complaint says. At the direction of the FBI, Hodges negotiated the amount to $200,000. Paculis told Hodges he was house sitting in New York, didn’t have a car and didn’t know how he was going to collect the money, the complaint says
Paculis also contacted Jackson’s lawyer, Matt Billips, on July 1, a few days after he and Hodges had negotiated the price, the complaint says. He wrote in an email that he had pushed Deen’s lawyer to the point of giving him money not to go public with his information, the complaint says.
“Now the burning question is…do you want in…I still have the chance to bring this together, but time is slowly running out…I have them hooked, but reeling this sucker in is gonna be hard without help…give me a call…” the email says.
The original complainant did the same thing only she asked for 12 million. I think that eventually that woman will face extortion charges as well.
On Tue, Jul 9, 2013 at 3:20 AM, Tamara Tattles