Here’s what I think happened: The Food Network and Smithfield decided that they didn’t care if they were “the bad guys” and they decided to fire Paula Deen outright. The rest of business connections decided to wait patiently and see which way the wind was blowing, wanting to see if Paula could slather butter all over herself and slip through the controversy. I can guarantee that all of the companies that associate themselves with Paula Deen, that are in business with her in any capacity, all of them were watching her Today Show interview yesterday. And I think many of them were probably just as uncomfortable and horrified as me. That was a really uncomfortable interview. It made me feel gross, and I didn’t come out of feeling any particular sympathy for Paula, just that she had a lot more explaining to do and Matt Lauer barely even asked the questions that he should have asked.
So, in the wake of Paula’s horrible Today interview, I think we’re probably going to get more firings for Paula. Here are two more to add to the pile:
Despite her teary interview on Today and her recent apology for using a racial slur in the past, another one of Paula Deen’s business deals has unraveled.
Caesars Entertainment Corporation, which operates as her restaurant, Paula Deen’s Kitchen, in four of its casinos in Indiana, Illinois, North Carolina and Mississippi, announced today they are ending their relationship with the 66-year-old cook.
“While we appreciate Paula’s sincere apologies for statements she made in her past that she recently disclosed during a deposition given in response to a lawsuit, after thoughtful consideration of their impact, we have mutually decided that it is in the best interests of both parties to part ways at this time,” said Jan Jones Blackhurst, executive vice president of communications and government affairs for Caesars Entertainment.
The four restaurants will be rebranded in the coming months, according to the statement.
Additionally Wal-Mart, the chain which sold Deen’s eyeglasses and cookware lines as well as food products, also cut ties with the cook.
“We are ending our relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises and we will not place new orders beyond those already committed,” a spokeperson told PEOPLE in a statement Wednesday. “We will work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements.”
This news comes as another blow to Deen, who reportedly raked in about $18 million in revenue in 2012. She already lost other contracts with the Food Network and with Smithfield Foods within the past week.
But “she isn’t upset about the loss of money,” a source told PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “She’s really upset about her reputation.”
Damn, when Wal-Mart is pulling the high-and-mighty moral card, you know you’re in the midst of a full-blown crisis. The Wal-Mart deal is a blow to her empire, of course, but I think it’s interesting that her restaurants are now closing. I’ve read some stuff about the Lady & Sons doing great business over the past week as people are coming out to support Paula. So… I don’t know. I suspect the bigger corporations and retailers are going to drop her, but she may be able to salvage a few smaller deals. And she’ll be able to keep the restaurants she owns outright, like the Lady & Sons. But Paula is going to fade away… big time.
Photos courtesy of WENN, Paula’s Facebook.
She also lost Home Depot yesterday. What teary interview…you mean the crocodile tears?
She needs to fade away…she’s as crude as they come and a role model for no one.
Exactly, I saw no tears. She was trying really hard to squeak some out, but it didn’t work.
Target & QVC just dropped her too.
So here’s the list so far:
The Food Network
Smithfield
The Home Depot
Wal-mart
Target
QVC
Caesars Entertainment
The diabetes drug company
Still standing behind her:
Sears
JC Penny
Royal Caribbean
Very confused. She looks 25 yrs younger in these pics than she does on Today show.
What do you expect from the head from “Total Recall”? It can’t cry real tears..
If her cookware were any good and not made in China, I’d be looking to buy some from the clearance aisle. She’s reaping what she’s sown.
I’m glad that even though the focus is erroneously on the one word she said years ago, the fallout is exactly what should be happening based on everything negative she admitted to doing in her deposition, imo.
I agree about the cookware. Though, I admit, the half-sheet pan someone gave me for a birthday present several years ago is holding up better than I expected.
I bought a Paula Deen stock pot a couple years ago. During the first use, the finish started flaking off in rather large chunks. I noticed it in the food. I should’ve returned it, but hubby and I feel weird about returning stuff we’ve used, so we just threw it away. Real rubbish, her products.
She was just dropped by Target and the diabetes medication.
At this point, I think if she had sincerely apologized, it would be one thing. The fact that she made excuses instead is what bothers me.
That and the non-apologies. “I’m sorry if people were offended” or “I’m sorry if I hurt someone” are not real apologies. There should be no ifs involved. You know you offended people. You know you hurt people.
My mom once told me that the greatest lesson she always wanted to teach me is learning how to admit I was wrong and apologize. It sucks to admit something like that but the other person deserves that much. Clearly Paula Deen doesn’t really think so.
ITA!!
This case is not about her saying the N-word. It is about her, and her brother’s, treatment of thier employee’s. If I was her, I would issue a public apology to my employee’s, and settle up. Then go quiet for a while. Her blubbering about things and trying to half-way apologize/blame the young people is just pathetic!
Yes – this could have been a great opportunity for her to really look at her words and behavior, do some soul searching to figure out why she was that way, and try to grow and change as a person. But instead…nope.
It reminds me of the kind of shifty weasel wording that one often hears from a busted abuser. It’s frequently all about how, ‘I regret what happened’, or ‘It pains me see so-and-so so upset’.
it is REFRESHING to FINALLY SEE tht , Paula is “Reaping Wht she SOWED”!, She did NOT appologize for her harmfull words or actions?!!! Apparently she thinks tht ALL of AMERICA AGREES wth her RACIAL DISCRIMANATION?!!! I suppose she thgt she cld get-away with it? NO WAY!!! Sad for her, ( she didnt thnk she wld get caught!) because her money train is STOPPING!!! Paula, you had it ALL? but thgt u cld make racial, so-called jokes,.abt yr fellow Americans & beyond!!! and thk tht you HAD us fooled??? Ur low-life brother, had to be laughing his butt off, KNOWING tht , you had MILLIONS of people fooled and you were still making MONEY!!! SHAME on BOTH OF YOU!!! Its also hard for me to believe tht your SONS COULDNT HVE KNOWN???! ITS ALL ABT MONEY!!! If they become targeted (KNOWING YR A RACIST!) they stand to LOSE ALL ALSO!
how about ‘who cares?’ Who cares what she said 30 years ago? Everyone has said something disgusting once or more in their lives and doesn’t have to lose their job over it. Enough already
Here’s the full text of the deposition. It’s about more than her use of the n-word. It’s also about creating a hostile work environment (forcing her employees to dress up as ante-bellum slaves, the treatment of her staff in her resturants) The N-word is just the tip of the iceberg.
http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2013/06/entertainment/deen-deposition/
I read this whole thing. Thanks for posting. It makes my stomach churn. She backtracks or can’t remember just about everything that was said and done. She also gets caught up in so many lies/nuances when she does actually answer. She is either extremely unintelligent or faking dumb (which i believe). The whole, I just an old lady with a bad memory, just trying to make a living to support my family…i just dont hardly know whats going on…i trust and love everyone ya’ll is so frickin’ fake. I feel so sorry for Karl and how much of the blame she’s trying to deflect on someone who seems to be the most morally and operationally responsible one of the bunch. Sounds like he was fighting an uphill battle from day 1. It sounds like in all of her businesses no one person/team of people is running the day-to-day with the consideration of all businesses/brands. So frickin stupid. She should have crisis management and public relations on a retainer from Day 1 of forming a LLC. How could you go years without HR?
How ’bout you pull your head out of whatever cloud it is in and learn the facts of this case? None of this has to do with anything said 30 years ago.
For a split second Mich, I thought you were telling her to pull her head out from elsewhere…….I am glad you are nice with your words.
That’s not why her empire is crumbling. Read the civil suit. She fostered a racist and sexist working environment in her restaurant.
And not to mention this summary of events:
“She has become embroiled in racial controversy after former employee Lisa Jackson testified that she heard Deen repeatedly use the N-word and talk of how she wanted to have a plantation themed wedding for her brother with an all-black serving staff to emulate slaves.”
And this:
Lawyer Robert Patillo alleges that one current and two former employees of Deen told him that white staff are paid more and promoted quicker than black workers and that the Food Network star fostered a hostile working environment where racial slurs were common.
Patillo, who works with said that their investigation ‘found evidence of systemic racial discrimination and harassment’ by Deen and that ‘a family member consistently referred to a black cook as ‘my little monkey’.
—
Yeah, pretty racist, no?
Daily Mail has more details about the suit
.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2349032/Paula-Deen-gorging-fried-food-racist-scandal-fallout-ANOTHER-ex-employee-comes-forward-claims-celebrity-chef-used-F-word-slur-homosexuals.html
I read yesterday about the disposition with Ms. Jackson. I think the story I read proves there is always two sides to each story. Apparently, Ms. Jackson first off admitted that she has never heard PD use the N word or say or make a racist remark or joke. Also, apparently Ms. Jackson is white, but claimed that she had “neices” who were black, so she was extra sensitive towards racism. Then they found out not only does she have no bi-racial neices, the closest is the neice of her partner who has a latino father. Not to say white people cannot be offended by racism, but after reading about the deposition I’m not as angry with PD anymore. It seems like a million other lawsuits, Ms. Jackson seems to be trying to get rich off of Mrs. Deen. I dont think PD should be condemned for having used the N word 30 years ago, even if it was in an innapropriate manner. I think it was ignorant of her to think it would be okay to dress black men as slaves, but it might have been just that, a stupid idea but no hidden meaning to offend or put down an entire race. Bigotry usually goes hand in hand and apparently Ms. Jackson is gay, so PD obviously has no problem with lifestyle choices.
I just dont think PD deserves the enormity of the backlash shes received. I believe if she was a true racist the truth wouldnt take 30 years and a disgruntled (white) employee before the public knew.
Do you have the link to the story you read? I’d be curious to read it myself.
I find it interesting that you bring up Lisa Jackson’s race multiple times in your post, not to mention her sexual orientation.
Also, I think the notion that because someone might tolerate a gay person working in their kitchen, that that is somehow proof of them NOT being racist is rather absurd.
Yes. Link please. Sexual orientation is the one prejudice Deen is NOT being sued for. Jackson’s divorce, however, and its repercussion on her bonuses, are.
Deen was given an opportunity to tell her side of the story. That’s what the deposition is. Her words speak for themselves.
And why do you assume the public would know? Comments in the Savannah paper around the story hinted to locals hearing rumors for years about what was going on at Bubba’s. This is not the first EOC suit filed against her. The fact that the media didn’t choose to do an investigative reporting job on Deen doesn’t mean it wasn’t going on.
Jackson spent years trying to address her issues internally and got nowhere. That is why she quit and ultimately resorted to suing.
Iggles — I will have to click on the link soon and read.
But, am I the only one who is struck by Paula talking about what she wanted for her brother’s wedding reception ?? I have not read the details yet, just the comments. But, where was the bride for the reception planning.?? I mean, she is the sister, so why is she talking about visions of someone else’s reception.
Just a detail I thought odd.
TOK, I bring up her race and sexual orientation for two reasons. First off is because she’s suing for racial discrimination, yet she is caucasian and appears to originally have lied about having mixed family members, but obviously as this shows, white ppl are still offended by racism. Also, bc like i said before racism and bigotry often(not always) go hand and hand and also bc I pictured that Ms. Jackson was a black woman bc of what she is suing for. its still kind of strange to sue for racial discrimination under these circumstances unless you have ulterior motives, ie, money or revenge (which may have worked well for the latter). The second is because like I said bigotry often The link is http://radaronline.com/exclusives/2013/06/paula-deen-lisa-jackson/
I also read on Radar that now another employee or former employee has come forth saying PD says the n word and makes racist remarks all the time, yet Ms. Jackson admitted that in the years shes worked there she has never heard a racist remark besides the one for the slavery theme, which was absolutely stupid on Deens part. I definetily am not one of those people that says, of you have black friends or gay friends so you cant be racist. I know racist white people myself that have half black kids themselves, so thats not always true. I just think PD may not neccesarily deserve the backlash that she getting a lot bc America still has a long way to go towards equality and so while it’s an issue that needs to be addressed, I think she may have gotten more than she earned bc its at a nations attention.
PS. sorry my grammar and writing is so bad I’m on this little touch screen in doctors office waiting room, but I did want to add I dont know everything about this story or all the allegations against PD or their credibility I just started looking at things different after I read about Ms. Js deposition. She obv did a shitty job apologizing but maybe she really doesnt feel like shes a racist so its hard for her, idk.
“Bigotry usually goes hand in hand and apparently Ms. Jackson is gay, so PD obviously has no problem with lifestyle choices.”
Um, Ms. Jackson was married to a man and then got divorced during her employment. She stopped receiving bonuses after she got divorced because “divorce is a sin”.
kcaia, this isn’t just about a word being used once. Ms. Jackson was a general manager at Bubba’s Oyster House and saw many actions that violated labor laws during her stay.
Some accusations are not just accusations because they are documented. Like the general manager at Lady and Sons sending an email to other staff of PDE calling the cooks racial slurs. It isn’t just about PAULA using the term, it is about her staff having racist policies and Paula approving them when it was repeatedly brought to her attention.
Her brother also told Ms. Jackson to only hire “light” people to work in the front of the restaurant. This could be a lie…except for the fact that he said it in front of more people than just Ms. Jackson. Bubba, Paula, and their staff were stupid enough to leave a lot of evidence.
I was hoping the source would be something more substantial than Radar :/
But you seem like a level-headed and reasonable person so let’s play 🙂
So one point you brought up is that Jackson claimed that that her nieces were “bi-racial” and of “African American descent” but those nieces turn out to be the nieces of her PARTNER and are half-Hispanic. Isn’t it possible that Jackson mistakenly used the term “bi-racial” instead of “mixed ethnicity” and her lawyer just ASSUMED she meant they were half-black and mistakenly represented it as such? I mean..a lot of people conflate the terms “ethnicity” with “race” and currently the US Census is debating on classifying Hispanics as both a “race and ethnicity” combo.
So it’s her partner’s nieces, not technically hers, but would it be that strange if she called them hers? I’m close with a couple, not married but together for 8 years and counting. The woman has a child from her first marriage and her boyfriend calls the child his own kid. He refers to him as “my son”. It’s not unusual, depending on how close the relationship is.
I just don’t think this is enough to prove that Jackson is a liar and untrustworthy.
As far as her backtracking and saying she never heard Deen say the n-word, I just think that’s irrelevant in light of all the charges against her brother. He said much MUCH worse that the n-word, on multiple occasions to several different employees, in front of plenty of witnesses. Deen enabled him to say these things and turned a blind eye to his behavior, while casually dismissing her employees’ complaints as if they didn’t matter.
I’m just saying, if you’re going to give Deen the benefit of the doubt, then you need to do the same for Jackson.
@ Iggles
She isn’t suing for racial discrimination and at no point does she allege that she was racially discriminated against.
In terms of the complaint, the racial aspect comes because it created an overtly hostile work environment and made her job as Manager abnormally difficult and stressful.
She was responsible for recruiting staff, ensuring their productivity, etc. Keeping the peace in the aggressively negative environment Bubba created (and Deen allowed) would have driven me, personally, to a nervous breakdown.
Read the disposition before saying anything because media outlets (news, etc) are sugar coating this incident big time…
My comment was for Elisabeth
This is the issue I have with Paula and others of the same thought process. It’s not ONLY about what she said decades ago. Read the stories; read her deposition; and, think logically. First, to think she no longer uses the N word is foolish. Do people change? Absolutely! Are those the same people that wish to have an antebellum Southern-style wedding with an all Black waitstaff? Doubt it! I by no means assume any malicious intent from Paula. Not in the least. I think she is the symbol of the most dangerous and final hurdles of racism in this country. People that assume because it wasn’t meant in an offensive way it shouldn’t be taken offensively. Southerners that speak fondly of an era long past (which happens to be a moral stain on American history), all in the name of “Southern Pride” with no remorse and/or idea of how it makes feel. Those that believe people are just getting too “sensitive” about such issues. I could go on, but you get the point. Racism is so much more subliminal and deep-rooted. We’ve come a long way but we have so far to go.
^THIS
I hear you preaching, but those who need the sermon ain’t listening.
The South really is an entity of it’s own. When living in Texas for a few years, the native Texans were quite perturbed by the influx of people coming from up North for work. I was stunned when I was actually told “Yankee go home” as I’m a NY girl and my accent is clearly evident. Some still can’t get over the fact that the Confederacy lost the war. Fuggedaboutit!
Well said! Applause.
Sadly, a lot of people feel like Elisabeth. They are tired of hearing about it and want it to go away because “she apologized and Matt Lauer is a big meanie”. I don’t think any of these people actually know the whole story or watched the interview. They are just doing exactly what they accuse the media of doing–only looking at part of the story. Someone on my facebook page made a comment last night and it was just about enough to make me unfriend them. They weren’t racist or anything. Just felt like she had apologized and that should be enough.
I am so tired of people saying “30 years ago”. The lawsuit is regarding Ms. Jackson’s time of employment from 2005-2010.
News outlets must have scanned the first pages of deposition for a date and saw 1986 and ran with it. 1986 is when her first business started, NOT when she used the word in front of employees (among many other business violations).
This!!! ITA!
Paula is an example. It’s GOOD that she is losing her deals because it reaffirms what we in this nation will and will not accept from our fellow wo/man.
It’s not just about a word. It’s about a way of life and how she illegally ran her business. It ranges from sexual harassment to discrimination to creating a toxic work environment for her staff.
The allegations against Paula became more believable when she admitted to being willfully ignorant and disrespectful. Paula took pride in her ignorance even going as far to say she can’t determine what offends someone else. Despite the fact that in 66 years on earth she undoubtedly heard at some point that using the N word is offensive to many. If you discount the ignorant rappers and their completely ignorant brain dead fans who cheer as the rappers shuck and jive using the N word for dollars and approval.
Paula’s casual racism dripped like melted butter into all other aspects of her life and business as well and she is a perfect example for the ignorant racist minority who are in an uproar in her defense. The lesson here is learn to be respectful and shut the f*ck up because hate or the appearance of it will not be tolerated.
I don’t see what other option these big brands have. To continue to associate with Paula would be choosing one now inflammatory person over a significant segment of their customer base. You can’t tell customers that you have no respect for them and expect them to continue spending money with you when they have other choices.
A minority of commenters on these threads don’t seem to get that the world is not made up solely of white people who like bigots. What an ugly small bubble they seem to live in.
Well, can I just tell you that on Access Hollywood’s facebook post about this, a woman wrote something along the lines of “when will these companies understand that the blacks don’t spend enough money in their stores to count, they don’t watch the food network, the blacks get all their money from the government but we have to worry about not offending them. I’m so tired of worrying about not offending the trash.” The post was riddled with spelling and grammar mistakes and no she was not trolling. These are the kind of idiots out there defending Paula that are threatening to boycott Food Network/Smithfield/Wal Mart (haha) etc. I’d say it’s probably better to lose their business anyway.
@Beesknees–I seriously have had to cut myself off from any Deen stories, except the ones posted here. Too tempting to read the comments, which will inevitably send me into a state of depression.
The scariest part is there appears to be a LOT of people that think that black people are out there, raping the welfare system and not working.
I just wonder:
1) WHERE do these people live????
and:
2) Have they ever MET a black person before???
…and those are the same f*ckers who claim racism is dead…
Sadly, I think Obama getting elected for two terms really “awakened” this racist faction and added more fuel to the existing fire.
*sigh*
Well that is horrifying not to mention extremely inaccurate which is not the point to think this way to feel or believe that garbage is just sick and honestly sad.
Oh and I’m white and I would not support any company that did not find what Paula deane said or did inexcusable.
Behavior has consequences and Paula is facing hers!!! And rightfully so.
Bees — oh. My. God. Seriously that is just jawdropingly nasty to read.
Wow. Unbelievable. Just wow. Nasty.
BeesKnees, comments like the one you read make me, as a white woman, want to stand up and shout “SHE DOES NOT SPEAK FOR ME!!!”
It really breaks my heart to see my fellow Americans (human beings) treat each other like that. Think of a young child reading that comment, and how it must shade their view of the world and their neighbors.
If Paula really wanted to move forward and prove she wasn’t a bigot she would politely thank those peeople for supporting her and just as politely remind them that she does not approve of bigotry even from her supporters.
The fact that so many hateful people are spewing crapola in her defense and she has done NOTHING to try to stop it says everything one needs to know about her (lack of) character.
My mom always told me that what I say to someone doesn’t reflect on them, it reflects on me. In the spirit of that (very accurate) concept, let’s take a look at what that nitwit was really saying….
When will I admit that many blacks earn more money than me, due to hard work, and are able to shop at stores I can’t afford and I’m completely envious of their intelligence and good work ethic? These people don’t watch nearly as much tv/Food Network as I do because they have a well rounded life of family, friends, church and interest in the world outside of couch potato-dom so who cares about what they want to watch? Many blacks get their paychecks from government jobs which they worked hard to get and I have to worry about pissing them off and risk them not approving the government assistance checks I collect because I don’t want to leave the couch and miss anything on the Food Network. I’m so tired of worrying that I’ll offend someone and they will see I’m just trash.
There, fixed.
@TOK: Unfortunately, if a black child were to read this s/he would just be seeing a print version of something that s/he had already been told. Some people say it maliciously, others damn the child with explications about how it takes qualities that can’t and won’t manage if s/he wants that castle on the hill. The upset will be less devastating if they learn about what they *are* early on.
And in the case of a black person doing something as unimaginably impossible as say graduate from a university (that isn’t traditionally black), affirmative action. They learn very early on from their families that there are people who want them to fail or don’t think that they can do anything but fail. You’ll work much harder for much less, recognition will be rare, if given and your own success was achieved only under the egis of a benevolent caretaker. I’m not the first person in my family to get a degree, but a lot of people assume that I am. You’ll be invisible until someone needs a scapegoat or use you to act as proof of how tolerant someone is (because nothing feels better than knowing that you are to be ‘tolerated’)
It’s not going to be easy, you’ll sacrifice so much and often get nothing for it and at the end of a lot of futile days you won’t go to bed happy.
*
@Masque: Ahhhhhh haaaaaa! I’d love to see the righteous indignation on that hateful woman’s face as she sputters about, inflamed that someone would jump to such poisonous conclusions about her life and character. ‘You don’t know me!’ Good. And yet, I’ve still got your number.
@JoMama-I don’t doubt it for a second your description of the socialization process of black people in this country, which is why people need to stop acting like the black experience and the white experience are interchangeable.
I’m tired of trying to get *some* people to understand that the expectations and standards are separate for each race. Hence saying that black people using the n-word to refer to each other is somehow the equivalent of a white person using the n-word just doesn’t wash and no, it’s not a “double standard” because the social standings and the history of each race is separate and distinct, thus the standards cannot be the same.
The problem is that when I try to have this discussion with some friends, it inevitably devolves into “well that’s what equality is–working equally hard to achieve the same things” but it doesn’t work like that when the social climate isn’t equal and the conditions aren’t the same.
In my opinion, true equality and overcoming racial divides will not come from pretending the past didn’t happen (how do people not understand that that is HURTFUL to act like slavery never happened?). It comes from acknowledging the history, however ugly it may be and finding a way to move forward in a progressive manner, without claiming ignorance about the difference between how white people and black people are treated in today’s society. Open dialogue and understanding are imperatives, but we also need white folks to LISTEN instead of asserting our “opinions” or “personal perceptions” as if it is truth.
I agree!
@TOK: I hope that my post didn’t lead you believe that I was contesting you, in fact we feel exactly the same way. It’s entirely possible that I didn’t communicate that well and if that’s the case then I do apologize. I really respect and am entertained by your presence here and not just in reference to this story, but generally as well. I just wanted to be absolutely sure that I didn’t offend because that’s universes away from what I was trying to do.
The basic thrust of my point was that the unfortunate truth is that if a young black person read all of this, it’s very, very likely that that contact would not have been a first encounter with bigotry. I had been called every name under the sun by the time I had finished first grade–which wasn’t exactly recently, but was recent enough. It’s really part of the upbringing for black children to learn how maintain composure and dignity when you come across people, institutions and situations that will try to diminish you at some part of his or her life. It’s a bracing tonic and for every person who will find racism in everything there is a person who will try to block out a lot of the racist treatments they receive. To some it’s looking for the good and for others it’s willful blindness but to all it’s a reminder to mind your navigation skills.
Honestly, the only people I know who are STILL defending her are:
1) People who get their news info from Fox News and ONLY Fox News. Fox News Radio host Todd Starnes said that the “liberal, anti-South media is trying to crucify Paula Deen.” They’ve made it a personal crusade to defend the indefensible, without, OF COURSE, doing any REAL research. (is anybody surprised by this by the way??) I mean really, when DOES Faux news actually take the time to do their due diligence before running away with a story??
2) People who have NOT read the transcripts. Honestly, I don’t know any self-respecting woman with a modicum of intelligence who can read the court depo and not see how transparent Deen is. It’s evident within the first couple pages when she blames her brother’s rehab stint on his wife. Um, WTF??? DENIAL much?
I hate to say it, but from the first CNN was squarely in Deen’s apologist corner. More so than Fox. I purposely watched both channels when this story broke. ALL the news channels seem to be focusing on the use of the Nword in the 80’s and not on the totality of the case.
My hubby said all of the talk radio was in her corner too. I haven’t listened to any radio because I am still not allowed to drive post-surgery. I’m not going to paint any channel with a broad brush.
Yesterday, Fox News lead with the Paula story…followed later with SCOTUS ruling.
I’m an NPR girl myself (don’t have cable) but one of the most poignant/interesting piece I read about Deen’s story was from CNN.com:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/26/opinion/moore-paula-deen/index.html
Contrast against Fox News piece: http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2013/06/26/paula-deen-gets-support-from-studio-audience-following-today-appearance/
Granted, the first is an opinion piece, but the second is supposed to be “objective” reporting? It basically reads as an opinion piece..lol
…and you know you’re in trouble when Trump is out there defending you.
That being said, CNN is ridiculous. I put the Boston bombing coverage on when I was on a plane out to LA and they literally talked about NOTHING for hours on end (worked like magic to put me to sleep though). At what point do you just admit that you have NOTHING new to contribute to a story? They were just recycling the same facts over and over again…so useless.
Ok so here’s a more fair comparison-a link from CNN.com covering the exact same interview with Deen. Notice all the additional details that they include regarding WHY people are upset with Deen, details that were conveniently omitted from the Fox piece:
http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/26/showbiz/paula-deen/index.html
I love the ones like Chicken Little who think the sky is falling and her life is ruined because she lost some contracts. She’s free to start restaurants wherever she wants, no one is stopping her. She’s loaded. Normally, a lot of these same people think it’s just fine when corporations lay “regular” people off for NO cause and then the attitude is, “Get another job, go work in McDonalds, you lazy ass”. Why do they care so much about her?
Seriously. Go cry yourself to sleep on a bed of money, Paula.
I think it’s just the 4 restaurants that run in the casinos. There are still a couple of others that are still going to be open.
Clearly lot’s of people do care. Most people aren’t on tv making a bucket load of cash with a certain persona. It’s now been shown she isn’t the sweet little thing people thought she was. Who says she hasn’t said other stuff more recently? She is under oath in the civil case which is still ongoing who knows what else could come out. That is why she should settle look what has already happened. She really should off just shut up and faded out. The interview shows she clearly isn’t sorry and seems not to understand why so many people are upset. What about I’ve changed? It was wrong of me but I’ve learnt, I’m sorry without the fake tears. Looks like what is really sorry about is losing all the money she would have made.
Dam, thats some kick in the head karma coming back on her, there must have been more to this.imo
Goodbye Paula, see ya in the clearance isle.
After taking a break from the set… Some colleagues of mine gave me a copy of her disposition and I read it fully…
Now I understand what the uproar is about good lord really.. We had talk about this among the production team last night..
Man, I still say this woman is in denial regarding her behaviour.. To her it’s normal behaviour.. That is something that is taught since childhood… Once U get that age some old dogs u can’t teach them new tricks…
I will say sorry to a few of the regular cele commenters- U know who U are 🙂
I didn’t know all of that took place, honestly.. The media outlet made it seem like she took that word it was part of her vocab and nothing more…
Well empire has tumble down and hard…
Peace Cele Regulars 🙂
What an awesome thing for you to post! I noticed the difference in your opinion upthread 🙂 If you really want to be shocked, read the original complaint. It is faaaar worse than the deposition and it looks like they specifically chose incident examples that could be backed up by third party witnesses.
Very cool of you! Yes, when I read the complaint, after reading the deposition, it was even more shocking. If even half of the examples they cite are true, it was really a horrible environment to work in and PD does bear a lot of responsibility as she was the ultimate overseer of all of it even if she wasn’t there on a daily basis. She has much more involvement than she tried to let on in the deposition.
Do we have the link to the original complaint? Anyone?
I also notice that people running around defending this racist are NOT educated at All on the subject. They also think this is about the word in the 80’s.
And on another depressing racial note-the girl testifying in the Trayvon Martin case admitted that they had called Zimmerman a “creepy ass cracker”
All of the racial BS makes me so freaking SAD. 🙁
The complaint:
http://www.atlawblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Jackson-v.-Deen-et-al.-Complaint.pdf
No thx I pass, I stomach all I could reading that mess..
I’m good hon 🙂
Have a wonderful day -:)
I didn’t see your interactions on this subject earlier…but I have to say it takes a lot of strength to reevaluate and change your mind. Kudos to you!
That’s really big of you. I’m impressed.
Anthony Bourdain sits back and lights another cigar…
Yeah…isn’t that the truth. I wonder if he is aching to make a comment about all this.
IMO, if Anthony Bourdain comments, it will be well after the dust settles. I believe he sees that it is not necessary for him to point out the obvious.
But, I bet he does, indeed, have a smirk on his face as he lights that cigar…
THIS totally. I’m sure he’s laughing his ass off but despite what people think, he’s not an asshole and isn’t the type to kick someone when they’re down.
I think that he won’t say anything unless pointedly asked. I believe he was asked the previous time he said something about her.
I’ll continue to support and watch Bourdain. He’s a REAL foodie and he is very respectful of other cultures and their food. He regularly goes to people’s houses and is an outspoken supporter of street and local foods and people. He gives props to his cooks from South America on TV and in written word.
@ OTiff and others-does anyone feel like Bourdain may have known MORE than he let on about Deen’s shiftiness?
I mean, the celeb chef world is pretty incestuous from what I understand. I wonder if he had friends in the industry that had worked with Paula and clued him in about her character.
Man, I wish I was friends with him and could pick his brain about that…
Most likely. At least I think it may be likely. I think he gets branded an ass because he is honest. The celeb chef world is as you said incestuous, they all know and gossip about fellow chefs.
Would I love being a fly on the wall when they get together? Oh yes, I would. Pretty well known if you follow chefs and food that they like to drink after working crazy long hours and they have got to gossip. I know Bourdain hangs out with Eric Ripert. The NYC chefs hang out a lot-must be very interesting. 🙂
I follow him on FB – he just had his birthday and is in Sicily…no doubt this might be a karmic bday present for him, but hopefully spending much more time and energy enjoying where he is!
I think he’s smart enough not to gloat. He was right, that’s all you need.
Well, maybe she’ll pick up a Lipitor or Crestor contract. She has probably created a big population who loved the butter-mayo-lardness recipes, and now have cholesterol spikes as big as those eyes.
Lardness recipes! Haaaaaa!
Does this mean butter sales will drop too?
Shes prob eating a tub of butter like a tub of icecream right now. Lol!
Bwahahahahaha!
Nah. Ree Drummond has the Butter Queen title now. Especially now that she has a Land O’ Lakes sponsorship. She literally has a recipe for buttered bread. TWO ENTIRE STICKS OF BUTTER for a freakin’ slice of bread.
Healthy food/cooking on The Food Network is non-existent.
CLEARANCE AISLE! 🙂
You get what you pay for though. 😉
It’s just one thing after another! Snowball effect!
The greatest thing about this fiasco
will be seeing photos of her without
that s**t eating grin plastered all
over her face.
QVC – still undecided is difficult to believe. They must have a sh*tlload of inventory of her products.
I’ve written two letters to them already. Get on it QVC and quit this horrid woman. We should ALL write a letter.
they do, they buy it all upfront
so if they put it on clearance or just let it sit, technically they still have PD products, even if they never have her on again.
i dont think they will have her back, but they have to decide what to do w the inventory
QVC just dropped her!!!
But they also mentioned something about “second chances” so it might resume in the future.
oh, there will be some way for her to be ‘saved’…. i just assumed that some other cable outlet will eventually sign her; esp if there’s an outpouring of support for her.
it’d be hilarious if oprah came to the rescue… it’s a perfect situation for exploitation — deen could redeem herself courtesy of the most powerful woman (and black!) in the world.. and oprah could use a teevee show that pulled in viewers.
Why go to so much trouble over this now disgraced woman when there are so many other baggage-free people in the world to choose from? No reputable brand would willingly set themselves up to be accused of supporting bigotry and racism.
And people forget that many of the brands dropping her have international concerns. The Food Network broadcasts everywhere; Walmart has invested hugely in taking over a BIG African chain brand and has spent millions fighting off challengers in South Africa’s competition court. That money will have been flushed down the drain if they stay aligned with Deen because not only is the customer segment they are going after by-and-large not white but accusations of racism are taken VERY seriously in South Africa. It would be a terrible PR move.
For these brands, this woman just isn’t worth the trouble she now brings.
Oprah took a stance years ago on the n-bomb issue and also using the b word to describe women. I think Russell Simmons joined in and agreed to lose those words from his vocabulary… in any event I don’t think Oprah will touch this with a ten foot pole. I doubt she will have any sympathy for Deen.
Oprah is about ratings, first and foremost. She’s not the kind of interviewer who really gives celebrities a hard time either. The only person that she was tough on was James Frey, who she practically bullied since it reflected poorly on her.
Oprah and Paula should sit down and have an interview and honestly I can’t believe both these woman’s advisors haven’t started working on this. OWN is seriously struggling in the ratings so Oprah going one on one with Paula would be a ratings and advertising bonanza.
Also Paula needs to face someone more difficult then Matt lauer! I mean Oprah isnt going to let crocodile tears fly. She will demand answers and call her on all of it. And I say this as a non Oprah fan but she would do this interview right Lauer was a joke!
Ohhhhh how about an Oprah, Dr. Phil, Paula sit down?
Oprah would bring the woman/black perspective and Dr. Phil would bring in the psychological/no bullshit allowed perspective. I know he can be a bit pompous himself but before he became too big for his britches he used to be spot on in his analysis.
Anyhoo, it won’t happen but it sure would be awesome.
I think SCOTUS fully approves of everything Paula Deen has done. If she would just go to law school, she’d fit right in on the Roberts bench!
Five of the nine certainly would!
Clarence Thomas never fails to live down to my expectations.
These companies aren’t necessarily taking a moral stand, they just don’t want to be associated with scandal. Headlines like “Food network star/Smithfield spokeswoman Paula Deen embroiled in racist scandal” don’t really bode well anyway. And the people shouting I will boycott all those places, well if Paula hadn’t lost her contracts people would have boycotted anyway. I just hate seeing the messages of support for her filled with overt racism. I’m not even seeking anything out, these are on pages I already like on facebook where people, for the most part, are using their real names!
I’m glad people are seeing that it’s not just her use of the N word 30 years ago. She is inappropriate and the lawsuit is about her being a horrible employer.
I do not think the big corps are pulling out because of the “N” word perse, I think they (their lawyers) see the bigger picture, she is in the midst of a civil suit for allowing/providing/approving a sexist and discriminatory work environment —- this could burn them financially too and they can be put under the microscope for that.
Just finished reading the entire deposition.
Not only does Paula makes excuses for and cover for “Bubba” throughout her deposition, there are tons of inconsistencies on her part and obvious mistruths.
Yes, it’s about so much more than has generally been presented. Paula was also questioned about her inappropriate, overtly sexual behavior, and sexual harrassment on her own part.
One thing I will say is that while Paula is at best, a weak-minded woman and at worst, a racist who subscribes to patriarchal ideals, she is definitely the lesser villain of the two (the two being her POS brother Bubba and her).
She is as guilty as him in the sense that she covered for her brother, and I would argue, enabled him to treat his employees in an unacceptable (and that’s being polite) manner but it’s a shame that he’s probably sitting on a couch somewhere drinking a beer while Paula has to be the fall guy.
That isn’t to say she shouldn’t get a rash of shit, indeed she should, but so should he. He just seems like an awful, awful human being.
Kitten, I normally agree with all you post, and I do agree that Bubba is a total creep, but Paula ALLOWED sexual harrassment, racial slurs, and the viewing of pornography to continue after being told about it over and over.
She’s every bit as guilty.
“She is as guilty as him” is what I wrote.
Maybe they’re equal villains but I still think it sucks that he gets to hide away while she gets the brunt on the shit. Yes, she’s the “face” of her stores and her brand but it seems NOBODY is talking about Bubba and his behavior to speak of.
My point being that there are two people here who need to be held accountable.
I think they split the guilt about 55-45%. Bubba was the source of a lot of the illegal activity, but perhaps he would have stopped if he thought his job was ever at risk.
Based on the amount of times and the variety of people in respectable positions who went to Paula to make her aware, I have to believe that she wasn’t just ignorant. In her position as majority partner, she made a decision to keep things as they were. And she made that same decision over and over.
I do wish more people would talk about Bubba, because that means they know what he did (and that this isnt just about a word). He is named as a defendant (I think), so at least he is being held legally responsible.
Agree with your analysis.
In short: they’re both terrible people.
Bubba may have been the bigger creep but Paula was the power player. She could have pulled support from the restaurant. She could have approved raises for female employees. She could have done a lot of things she chose not to do. Instead she chuckled to herself saying “boys will be boys”. In my mind, that does make her worse.
even if she didnt care that bubba is a jerk, she should have known that one day that might bite them in the a$$ and since she is the famous one, it will come down on her more
I was looking at one of her interviews from when the diabetes scam broke and it was the same performance as this one. Lots of dry tears except with a happy ending because she’d seen the light and was now ready to help people with her new endorsement.
I’m sure those companies were monitoring her after that and I also wonder when they saw the deposition.
Who knew a gossip site would be the most reasonable place to discuss this case?
I appreciate so much the people who are posting about how their opinions changed after they read the deposition. I hope others will read it for themselves so they too might see that this is about so much more than one word.
Thanks everyone.
I also just finished reading it. Unbelieveable how she turns a blind eye to her brother’s actions that are so obviously inappropriate! And that fact that she determines the auditors that she hired were wrong in their findings and didn’t even think it was worth it to look deeper into the allegations is totally insane. The whole depo is embarrassing for her. Lastly, the plantation style wedding…omg. I just can’t. In what world is that considered f-cking ok??? A racist one, i guess.
I wish CB was following the George Zimmerman trial. I am off work for a few weeks and I have been watching it televised. There’s so much to talk abot day by day.
He who is without sin may cast the first stone!! Who hasn’t ever said something they shouldn’t? Her honesty got her in trouble with the perfect police. We are all in trouble!
Someone didn’t read the deposition.
Exactly.
If this were only about something that was said “only once” (cough, cough) 25 years ago, all the corporate sponsors would not be dumping her. They have their attorneys reading the depositions.
I’m just seconding this comment. There is a reason people keep urging others to read the deposition. Those who refuse are starting to look a little foolish.
Blah, blah, blah.
You want to support extreme racism, bigotry and discrimination? By all means, go for it. But don’t come to me with holier than thou sanctimony about how you are the better person because you chose to embrace disgusting behavior and ignorance.
Yay, Mich!
Mich! Zing!!!
She is going to need burn cream after that one. 😀
seriously, Mich, your posts on this the past few days have been so great to read. intelligent, well-written and respectful. you get your point across well without being snotty.
keep it up.
I think some ice is required for that burn.
@Leslie
Paula is not even honest to herself. Her deposition paints a very poor picture of herself and a terrible one as an employer.
I think Paula, the person, is racist,sexist, etc., she thinks, she is not. Ok, matter of opinion and it really doesn´t matter what I think of her.
The point is the labour case against Paula, the employer. She is known to millions for her tv cooking show and Paula makes millions of her publicity and not her restaurant. Public life is fragil, therefore and always:
pollice verso, thumbs up or thumbs down.
Or, if you can´t stand the heat, get out of the (public) kitchen.
Leslie, I recommend that you read the complaint before the depositon. (Do a search for Jackson Paula Deen Complaint). When they reference emails and reports in the deposition, I think it will make more sense.
It was far more than a word she was told her employees were abusing their power by general managers, accountants, lawyers, Director of Operations, and an outside consulting firm. She and her companies violated soooooooo many labor laws. It is REALLY vile.
Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company, has just dumped her. There’s a reason for this.
That’s interesting. Although they should have had some shame for taking her on the first place. It was as if they were advocating for people making poor health choices, like hey, go ahead, eat this garbage, more of you will need our drugs later.
Agree Kiddo and also agree with Anon #26 below. Well said.
Yeah, that whole sponsorship never sat well with me.
Was wondering if anyone had mentioned that. I just saw this article about it. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/27/paula-deen-novo-nordisk_n_3509855.html
Pretty happy. 🙂
So did Target!
😀
http://wonkette.com/470766/how-could-they-cram-so-much-racism-and-sexism-into-just-one-lawsuit-against-paula-deen
I hope more people like Paula Deen and her brother Bubba fall, cause we all know they are out there. Racist/sexist a$$hats.
Paula Deen showed her true colors when she took money hawking the diabetes drug. The media fails, including Oprah and Dr. Phil, that allow people like Paula to play innocent victim–gives them a platform to whine and run their scams.
People who so vehemently defended her are going to be so embarrassed when the FULL STORY comes out.
..or maybe they won’t because maybe they’re just racist, sexist a-holes.
Ya bc walmart is so classy. Dump Paula /keep the gmo food and crappy bio hazard clothing. It’s all about perception walmart. Btw why don’t they stock toilet seat covers in every walmart or fix bathrooms? I travel and at 3am they are the only place open in some areas it sucks.
I have zero sympathy for Paula, this is a mess of her own creation, and I don’t blame any company who wants to sever ties with her.
I do feel badly for those employees who have nothing to do with her personally but might lose a job over this. Hopefully the restaurants will keep their staff when they rebrand.
I think right now there is some (very misguided) support for her and certain people will buy her stuff and go to her restaurants, but that’s going to fade away.
I agree. I feel bad for her employees.
Target has also just dropped Paula. Who’s next?
Her actions are deplorable – don’t get me wrong but I haven’t read anywhere about anyone pulling the “Freedom of Speech” card? LOL! I’m surprised. She really pissed off a lot of people.
I’ll only say ‘apparently’ because I have not ventured over to those sites to verify this for myself (I don’t want to read that crap), but apparently, there is a lot of talk about Freedom Of Speech on the People Magazine and Food Network discussion boards.
Oh lord. The “Freedom of Speech” nitwits have tried to pull that crap here as well. They were shot down and shut up quickly.
But don’t you see? It’s not their fault that they keep saying ‘Freedom Of Speech’ because people in Congress are always saying it. All of this Amendment stuff is so distressing!
I can’t help but wonder if this had been a man in a similar situation, would the backlash have been this big.
I am glad that it is a big backlash regardless, because it sends a very very clear message.
Mel Gibson – but he was just a bigot, he didn’t create a hostile work environment for others.
But I do get your point.
Tom Cruise also gets excoriated for his beliefs and treatment of others.
Michael Richards (Kramer on Seinfeld) ruined his entire career over saying that hateful word in one of his stand ups. He’s vanished off the face of the earth and really so has Gibson compared to their previous popularity and success.
Man or woman, you will be branded a pariah by the masses for stuff like this. I hope her brother feels the sting of this situation too. Every time I look at that depo or complaint, I get sick to my stomach. The very thought of some asshats thinking people are different or less than due to their skin color, well it makes my heart just sink for humanity.
The very best thing we can do regarding this is to teach our children about equality, to try and stomp out prejudice for future generations. Teach your children well, my fellow celebitches.
I am also happy to read that some are better educated about the totality of the complaints and have changed their views. Fabulous!
There are a long line of people who have been chased out of the public eye for racism and stupid remarks. Anyone remember Al Campanis?
There have been men who get a big backlash – Don Imus and Gilbert Godfrey both got fired for bad remarks, and Michael Richards has pretty much vanished after his outburst. Tiger Woods, Michael Vick, Kobe Bryant, and Lance Armstrong all lost endorsements when their scandals hit.
I think this might seem harsher because it’s happening right now, and she had a LOT of deals going that are now falling apart.
Ugh, Tiger. Don’t even get me started on him. They still fawn all over him in the golf games that I watch. It doesn’t matter how far back he is, we have to watch him miss shots, pout, look at his elbow (or knee or wrist or ankle) and watch his stupid fist pump when he does manage to play well.
The people (fans) who are still adamantly rallying behind her most likely didn’t bother to read the deposition and probably get their news from Fox or conservative talk radio. Fortunately, Walmart and the corporations and entities that she represents and work with have corporate counsel who went over that deposition with a fine tooth comb. The interview that she gave to Today contradicted what she said under oath in the depo. Plus, the crocodile, histrionic tears (sorry that looked fake as hell) didn’t help her case. I think she is unethical and unwilling to take any accountability. She played the victim and she got dropped. I think there may be other lawsuits to come and the corporations felt it was better to cut their losses. JMO.
I thought her book was #1 on Amazon. Maybe because people think it is going to get pulled and they want a collectors item?
That sounds right to me. I agree with you in thinking there’s a trainwreck memento factor in this but I also think that there are a lot of supporters rallying around ‘their girl’ who want to see her come back from this bigger and better than ever. Thus, they’re literally putting their money where their mouths are.
I have been no holds barred trashing Ms Deen since the Diabetes revelation and the Bourdain tiff. I have read the original complaint as well as Ms Deen’s deposition. I don’t understand how people can support her now, and I am very disappointed that media reports have been so ridiculously lazy as to focus on one word rather than the whole toxic workplace issue.
but then I read this:
http://afroculinaria.com/2013/06/25/an-open-letter-to-paula-deen/
Twice actually. It made me weep – so beautifully written, so sincere, so simple, yet so complex.
For commentors like Mich, Original Kitten, Tiffany and the others, who got Ms Deen’s hypocrisy and stupidity right out of the gate, and for others who still don’t see how wrong and how harmful she is,please take a minute or two to read it (and weep). Thanks!
I read that yesterday. It’s very well-done, very sincere. One of the best responses, really.
I read the entire deposition and it seems like she’s a bit of a simple ding dong who turned a blind eye to her screwed up brother’s antics. It seems like she bought a restaurant for him to manage so he would be respectable instead of an addict hick. I think she’s clueless, but I think her downfall is not realizing her brother’s atrocious behavior was going to be extremely costly to her. She doesn’t admit in the deposition to using the ‘n’ word with employees, so not sure how they’ll prove that.
She does seem like a ding-dong…but she was told over and over again about what her brother was doing both in writing and verbally. The complaint gives a bit more insight into that aspect.
She was told by the general manager, accountant, the lawyer, an outside consulting firm, etc. about her what was happening in her restaurant. She was in a meeting where the inappropriate wages of females were discussed, and she told the accountant he was supposed to handle that sh*t. She was told her brother assaulted employees, and did nothing. She was told by the consulting firm that the policies could open her up to lawsuits, and she did nothing.
At some point, people have to take responsibility for their own actions. When people stand by while workers are regularly abused, that is far more serious than just being lazy or dumb.
The substance of her past statements, deposition and the enviorment created for her employees aside, Paula Deen is being dropped for mismanaging her public image.
No company can be attached to this pus filled PR disaster. She’s a lifestyle brand and she’s pissed it away because she wouldn’t manage her arrogance.
why does she look so weird? I expect an alien to peel off the rubber suit and emerge from it.
It really bothers me for some reason but I guess her skin isn’t the real issue.
Ha! Like that woman (Schwarzenegger) in TOTAL RECALL.
It is that weird, scary, tooth filled smile. Smiles are just weird and crazy looking when you give that fake smile that shows both your upper and lower teeth.
She looks like she is baring her teeth like a dog about to bite. I think this time she’s the one getting bit. 🙂
She’s also been dumped from Home Depot and Target. Does she have anything left to get dumped from?
Royal Caribbean just announced that they have had to add another “Paula Deen Cruise” due to recent increase in demand. As well, up here in Canada, Sears carries her home furnishings, and I haven’t heard a peep from them. Nor have I heard about her butter flavoured lipgloss, candles etc.
Her fans are bemoaning how many innocent people will be losing their jobs because of all these endorsement losses, but as far as I can tell, most of her stuff is made in China, and not too significantly different than Martha’s or Mario’s or Jamie’s or any of the other chefs who have product lines.
QVC
Actually, she is still involved with other companies who haven’t dumped her yet according to CBS news. J.C. Penney, Target, Sears as of now are still holding onto her, but that could change very easily.
I’m pretty sure Target dropped her.
The Poop Cruise, but apparently they’re keeping her. Who goes on a Paula Deen Cruise in the first place?
i dont blame people for thinking they dont need to read the deposition, the news will cover it.
the media, not just fox, is doing a horrible job with his. no wonder some people think it is an issue with language.
i hope everyone who cares even a tiny bit about the story will read the deposition for themselves.
qvc issued a statement
http://community.qvc.com/blogs/q+news/topic/387209/a-letter-from-qvc-ceo-mike-george-and-a-letter-from-paula-deen.aspx?cm_ven=FB&cm_cat=WALL&cm_pla=7EP_MIKEGEORGEPAULADEEN&cm_ite=ENGAGEMENTPOSTFACEBOOK_BLOG
Now THEY have a smart PR department! Professionally speaking, that was incredibly well done. They have obviously dropped her but the way they have phrased it amounts to brilliant crisis management. All boxes ticked.
Paula: Take note. This is how it is done.
And of course her racist fan base is pissed.
….Paula deen had this many endorsement deals?
This whole thing leaves me kinda meh, it seems to me that a disproportionate amount of emphasis has been put into the racial discrimination, but you know what? as a woman, I have systematically discriminating against for that alone, so, I’ll just worry about fighting the issues that harm me and that no one else fixes before worrying about other people’s. Of course racism is wrong but so is sexism, and sexism does affect a higher percentage of people but keeps getting downplayed. Just reminds me historically of women who had no real freedom of their own and that were campaigning for the end of slavery but not to the end of their lower status in society as compared to white men. Again, meh.
Paula Deen seems really trashy though. I’m not American and as such hadn’t heard of her before this but this was my immediate perception the second I saw pictures of her.
well my my my….fiddle dee dee! as ms scarlett would say!!! she deserves it!!!
These are BUSINESS decisions. She is now a massive liability, no matter what he said/she said, did etc.
I haven’t really been keeping up with this story particularly since I don’t watch FN and had no idea who PD was but I sure caught up quickly thanks to many of the constructive and educated comments.
While there are no excuses for her behavior….I’m actually rather afraid of some of the commenters….as someone that has been ignorant to this story…I really could have stepped on a landmine…. =O
Oh…and does anyone else think there’s a slight resemblance between PD and Reese Witherspoon’s smiles….
I watched that interview the other day on the Today show. Disgusting. She dodged questions, tried (in vain) to pull off crocodile tears…and then when asked if she thought BLACK people found the ‘N’ word offensive…she said, ‘Oh, Matt, I don’t know…I hear them using it in my kitchens all the time and it makes me distraught’.
Well, apparently not distraught enough to not use it herself. Or tell racist jokes. Or have her staff dress up as slaves.
She sucks. And I am really glad that she is being called out for what she is.
A BIGOT.
A huge amount of Southern cooking is derived from the Gullah and the history is so interesting and the food very good.
Paula Deen is a creation and the few recipes I have tried weren’t very good and I am Southern born and raised.
I am so sick of people acting like she’s
some sweet innocent old lady. She was in her 40’s when she used ugly racist language and it was the late 1980’s. It’s not like she was some rich white teenage girl on a confederate plantation during the civil war. It was very unacceptable and very wrong when she chose to act that way.