Wednesday, July 10, 2013

The Systematic Destruction of Paula Deen....

In the last few weeks America has watched the systematic destruction of a business empire.  Based on an unsettled lawsuit and an admission of guilt, plus an apology for her shortcomings, Paula Deen’s empire has been systematically destroyed by those she helped to make millions of dollars.

Paula Deen has admitted using the “N” word in the past but says it has been a very long time.  What’s funny is that from what I’ve read, black people (or African-Americans if you prefer) are not righteously offended by Ms. Deen’s use of the word.  In fact, many of them are more forgiving of her than white people who believe they need to be offended on behalf of black Americans.  The woman who filed the lawsuit was white and said she filed it because she was tired of her black co-workers being harassed and treated badly.  How noble of her.  Anyone want to bet her black co-workers don’t get any money if this case is settled out of court?

One has to wonder why all the various companies keep dropping Paula.  Public opinion is mostly on her side.  She is still very popular and beloved, regardless of this questionable lawsuit.  A few weeks ago, when this scandal became public, her as yet unpublished cookbook became a bestseller overnight.  Even with those profits heading toward them her publisher was one of the latest to cancel her contract at the end of June.  Apparently if you’re white and make a racial statement you’re a vile human being but if you’re black and make a racial statement (such as many rap artists do on a regular basis) you get those big money contracts.  How does that make sense?

I’ll admit that some of the things I read about Paula Deen’s business practices made me wonder if she was really a racist.  But the more I read and the more information becomes public – the more I simply don’t believe it.  Sure – she made mistakes in the past and said things she wouldn’t say today.  But are we going to be a nation of unforgiving hypocrites?  Are we going to judge people’s behavior without looking at our own first?  How many white people can honestly say they have never used that “N” word in their entire lives?  I can’t.  I haven’t said it since I became an adult and realized how wrong it really was but I said it as a kid.  When I was a kid ethnic jokes were popular and funny and fewer people got offended.  Not that it was right – but it was more about being funny than about being mean.  At least that’s who we looked at it back then.

Paula Deen voted for Barack Obama.  That's an inconvenient truth that the liberal media likes to leave out of the equation.  What racist would vote for the "first black President"?  Apparently Paula Deen.  Probably a conspiracy...

Paula Deen’s businesses have been systematically wiped out by companies trying to be “politically correct.”  One can’t help but wonder how many of them have ever had EEO lawsuits filed against them or against someone in their companies.  But they drop Paula Deen like she committed an unforgivable sin because of an as of yet unproven lawsuit.  (She admitted to use of the “N” word in the past but not to the other allegations against her.)  What’s interesting is that most of her black employees deny the allegations against her.  So the businesses who are dropping her and cancelling contracts believe unproved allegations of racism over the denial of the people of color who work for her.  What sense does that make? 


Personally, whether or not Paula Deen is guilty of racism, I believe the reaction to her statements/actions has been far too severe.  She has been judged guilty and sentenced by all of the companies who have dropped her or cancelled her contracts – even without all the facts being presented.  And with racial slurs (for profit) rampant from the other side, how is this fair?  I commend Paula for having the courage to confront the allegations head on, for apologizing for her mistakes and for living with the humiliation of what she has done in the past.  Of course, there are many who think her apology was insincere but I say to them – judge not lest ye be judged.  You don’t know what’s in her heart.  And the mainstream media will spin anything to make it a racist story.  Don't believe me?  Take a good, long look at the Trayvon Martin saga...

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