Where did he think he was, anyway?
politicaljunkie41910 (397 posts)
I'm not particularly a fan of Paula Deen, but I think this is all much ado about nothing.
I read the deposition transcripts and I think that Paula Deen's actions are typical of people her age who were born in the south. I don't know whether she is a racist and nothing I've read tells me that she is. And this is coming from someone is who black and grew up in south central Los Angeles. I'm shocked that Wendy Williams (of How you doin fame) would weigh in on the matter, as if she has never used the "N" word. I know that blacks think that it's okay for them to use the word, but all hell breaks loose if someone else says it. I don't know whether Paula Deen and/or her brother are racists; or whether her brother is guilty of sexual harassment of the former employee who filed the claim. I just know that I've read everything I've seen in print related to the 'story' and I didn't see any there, there. Yes, she talked about a southern style plantation wedding with black waiters. How nestalgic? It reminds her of a different era in time. Yes she talked about using the "N" word, but I'm not surprised by that. I'd have been more surprised if she said she had never used it. And the fact that she couldn't remember the context in which she used it doesn't surprise me. I'm sure in that era is was a normal part of speech for people in the society she grew up in. I'm sure she was a product of her environment.
Many people cling to an era that has gone by and ain't coming back. I don't think that it necessarily means that she longs for the days when when people were in bondage; but perhaps just a different time. I look back on my childhood and reminance, and we were so poor, we couldn't pay attention (as we used to say). Still, those are some of my happiest memories. Not because we were poor but because of the good memories I have of the people I was with and the things that we did. Which just goes to show that those were simple times with simple pleasures. We have more "things" now, and those "things" don't necessarily ensure happiness.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/10023061770"Now, you will pay the price for your lack of vision!" -Palpatine
Star Member msanthrope (16,963 posts)
4. When you create a racist and sexual hostile work environment, you should
pay for it. No employee is obligated to put up with a racist boss, and no employee should have to put up with a boss who thinks that it's appropriate to view pornography in front of them.
treestar (41,641 posts)
90. Could be, cause I have a hard time giving up "black"
which shows what era I came from.
We're not supposed to say "black" now? What is the proper nomenclature? My black co-workers must be seething with hatred for me, because every time a description of race is necessary in my work, I refer to blacks as, well, black.
cali (81,409 posts)
10. I've read it too. it's clearly racist.
HiPointDem (18,256 posts)
13. she was 20 in 1967, height of civil rights movement. she spent all her adulthood post-jim crow.
Here's a newsflash: The "civil rights movement" didn't change the South overnight. Nor, apparently, did it change the North. Some of the most virulently racist speech I ever encountered was from my Northeastern shipmates in the late '70s when I was in the Navy. We from the South had pretty much adjusted already since we were acutely aware of the social ramifications. Plus most of us were taught good manners.
Ohio Joe (12,201 posts)
18. ummmm... When you use racist words and tell racist jokes...
You are a racist.
Umm...well, that covers pretty much all of DU. Remember Justice Thomas being referred to as "Slappy"?
Generic Brad (7,398 posts)
83. I agree with you 100%, Cali
I refuse to associate with anyone who uses language like that. And I am completely unforgiving to those who attempt to justify it. This whole Paula Deen situation is very personal to me. I have had relatives say racially inflammatory things about my wife and daughter to me in private and I permanently hold a grudge and refuse to associate with them until they apologize for their behavior which I estimate will be never. Tigers do not change their stripes and racists never apologize.
I understand if someone used language like that in the 60's before awareness was raised; but this has been clearly unacceptable socially for more than 30 years now. If she said those things within the past decade, she deserves every ounce of backlash that comes her way.
Star Member geek tragedy (27,001 posts)
23. How to spot a closet racist in one easy step: they whine about not being allowed to use the n-word:
"I'm shocked that Wendy Williams (of How you doin fame) would weigh in on the matter, as if she has never used the "N" word. I know that blacks think that it's okay for them to use the word, but all hell breaks loose if someone else says it."
Go sit next to Paula Deen.
I wonder just how squeaky clean the pearl-clutching Ms. Williams' past is? I'd be willing to bet there's an epithet or two in her closet, despite the faux outrage she's expressed over this non-event.
Star Member Jeff In Milwaukee (12,595 posts)
25. Tens of millions of people in this country...
have thought and said worse things than Paula Deen has, and some of them are members of Congress or in state legislatures and are really in a position to hurt people.
Paula Deen is a friggin' celebrity chef, and suddenly I'm supposed to start giving two shits about what she thinks?
I'll pass, thanks.
And of course Jeff is ignored.
Star Member tarheelsunc (1,293 posts)
31. Who cares where/when she grew up?
Wrong is wrong and all this "well it's typical" talk is just excuse making.
Star Member tularetom (17,500 posts)
42. Racist or not, she's a repulsive human being
And I must confess to a case of terminal schadenfreude reading about her current woes.
HockeyMom (10,826 posts)
43. Northerner her age
She was attacked once? I had 3 instances: robbed by black male, almost sexually assaulted by white males, attempted home break in by Hispanic male. Ok, none were Asians or Natives. However, what do you see in common? Paula, girl, think about this one. They were all MALE. Females are low on the list of violent crime. If she wants to direct her anger at someone, maybe it shouldn't be racial/ethnic but more on GENDER?
Nothing like hijacking the thread to make it anti-male.
The Link (433 posts)
50. Wow. Sorry, but Deen is a racist.
There is no justification for this.
Quantess (24,237 posts)
57. Paula Deen's words and actions were very racist and very disrespectful.
I'm not seeing any gray area or nuance in this particular case, and I'm shocked to see people saying she wasn't all that racist.
Go ahead and say nice things about Paula Deen's other qualities if you want to, but, there is simply no getting around her stunningly racist comments that she admitted to saying, and the allegations of harrassment. That's just inexcusable.
This site is supposed to be for liberals and progressives.
Star Member madrchsod (55,910 posts)
63. she`s a repulsive human being
her southern charm can't disguise her repulsive attitude towards those she thinks are not worthy to be in the front room other than to serve her.
Star Member Marrah_G (22,731 posts)
65. Wow....
Your defense of racist behavior is duly noted.
Bottom line is this - there's a contingent at DU which despises with a passion any and all things Southern. Coupled with their natural disdain for successful, wealthy people and you have a perfect storm of hate-filled schadenfreude in their view of Paula Deen.
