# Paula Deen **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [June 27, 2013, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049 "2013-06-27T17:56:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 21
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/401 "2013-07-08T21:37:26Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > You don’t think Pryor was offending people? He was offending the fuck out of people. Just because you didn’t hear it doesn’t mean it wasn’t happening. Sure he was. Comedy should be dangerous, after all. But he wasn’t made a pariah for it. ---
**Author:** ![aag3981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aag3981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aag3981)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/402 "2013-07-08T21:38:10Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > Which is bullshit. > > Look, I grew up in the 80s with racists all over the fucking place. I had racist relatives, racist neighbors, and racist peers. > > And I knew they were ignorant as shit. So don’t even sit there and act like it’s totally okay since everyone was using that language. It was never okay. There is no excuse. As far back as you go in history, no matter how many people were owning slaves or oppressing black people, it was _never_ okay. I agree, but how many of those “racists” still hold or practice those views. Has anyone evolved since the 80’s. While 30 years may not be THAT long ago, it’s still a lot of time that a person can change. Are you absolutely willing to just those peoples’ views then to judge them now? Slavery was never ok, but it was still accepted and practiced for a period of time. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/403 "2013-07-08T21:40:24Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Sure he was. Comedy should be dangerous, after all. But he wasn’t made a pariah for it. Name someone who was made a pariah for using the word “nigger” in their routine. And no, the Kramer dude yelling it at a heckler and saying he should be lynched really REALLY doesn’t count. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/404 "2013-07-08T21:44:05Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I don’t think the movie _To Kill a Mockingbird_ could get made today as it was made in 1962. I think censors would limit the script to one use of the word _nigger_, and it would be used as the last word in a hateful speech by Bob Ewell or something, and he’d practically slobber while drawing it out like he was trying to summon a demon. Not to mention Django Unchained, they could never make that today. Or 42, about Jackie Robinson; they could never make that movie nowadays and use the n-word more than once. ---
**Author:** ![aag3981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aag3981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aag3981)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/405 "2013-07-08T21:44:22Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > His comment is shit stupid. It has always held the power to hurt, demean, and offend. The fact that white people didn’t fucking care if they hurt, demeaned, or offended black people doesn’t mean that the word didn’t have that power. He didn’t say it didn’t mean to hurt, demean or offend either. He said it didn’t hold the same taboo then as it does today? Bitch or asshole is pretty much meant to hurt, demean or offend, but it doesn’t hold the taboo. ---
**Author:** ![aag3981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aag3981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aag3981)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/406 "2013-07-08T21:48:13Z")
> [@Kolga](#): > > People are still trying to argue that Paula Deen isn’t a racist? And that she’s being punished only for “saying the word once 30 years ago!”? And that the n-word isn’t racist because black people use it? Good lord. > > I’m totally linking to this thread every single time I hear some asshole claim “America is a post-racial society now.” And you would look like a stupid asshole because no where does this thread mention anything you are noting. ---
**Author:** ![aag3981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aag3981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aag3981)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/407 "2013-07-08T21:50:35Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Name someone who was made a pariah for using the word “nigger” in their routine. And no, the Kramer dude yelling it at a heckler and saying he should be lynched really REALLY doesn’t count. I guess Paula is being made a pariah for saying it and that was for saying it 30 years ago, before she was ever famous. Or does this not count since she isn’t a comedian? ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/408 "2013-07-08T21:58:15Z")
> [@aag3981](#): > > I guess Paula is being made a pariah for saying it and that was for saying it 30 years ago, before she was ever famous. Or does this not count since she isn’t a comedian? As has been repeatedly communicated, the problem isn’t that she was a racist 30 years ago, it’s that she has demonstrated a complete lack of personal growth and is by all appearances still a big ol’ racist. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 10:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/409 "2013-07-08T22:01:12Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > Name someone who was made a pariah for using the word “nigger” in their routine. And no, the Kramer dude yelling it at a heckler and saying he should be lynched really REALLY doesn’t count. Well, yeah. He was going for shock-humor (I guess) but failed. (Did he really say the guy should be lynched?) Fine. I have no examples. I also have no dog in the Paula Deen debacle - I haven’t been following it closely enough. If she admitted using it 30 years ago but claimed to have changed, and apologized and made a contribution to some anti-hate group, I’d say live and let live, but I don’t what she did except I saw a clip where she attempted an apology and looked like Tammy Faye Bakker. I trust whatever judgment the SDMB levies against her. Still, I can’t view some of my dead relatives as simplistic villains because they sometimes used that word (or others - forgot “ink spot” :rolleyes: ), even though some of my other relatives who were their contemporaries seemed to know better. They were flawed people, as I am a flawed person (albeit in different ways). ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/410 "2013-07-08T22:06:22Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Well, yeah. He was going for shock-humor (I guess) but failed. (Did he really say the guy should be lynched?) Actually, I don’t even know exactly what he was going for, but it did have a whiff of lynching about it > [@](#): > > The camera started rolling just as Richards began his attack, screaming at one of the men, “Fifty years ago we’d have you upside down with a f\*\*\*ing fork up your ass.” > > Richards continued, “You can talk, you can talk, you’re brave now motherf\*\*ker. Throw his ass out. He’s a nigger! He’s a nigger! He’s a nigger! A nigger, look, there’s a nigger!” > > The crowd is visibly and audibly confused and upset. Richards responds by saying, “They’re going to arrest me for calling a black man a nigger.” > Read more: ["Kramer's" Racist Tirade -- Caught on Tape](http://www.tmz.com/2006/11/20/kramers-racist-tirade-caught-on-tape/#ixzz2YUhXu2lB) ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/411 "2013-07-08T22:31:14Z")
> [@aag3981](#): > > Where, oh where did he say that “nigger” wasn’t offensive? His comment very clearly states that it didn’t hold the power then that it does now. To white people. Also, you are an idiot. I grew up _ **IN MISSISSIPPI** _ 30 years ago, and I fucking promise you, nigger was a bad word. I know it means something to you that we excuse using racial slurs in the 80’s but people did know better then. Sorry. You are stupid and you lose. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/412 "2013-07-08T22:35:08Z")
> [@bup](#): > > I don’t think the movie _To Kill a Mockingbird_ could get made today as it was made in 1962. I think censors would limit the script to one use of the word _nigger_, and it would be used as the last word in a hateful speech by Bob Ewell or something, and he’d practically slobber while drawing it out like he was trying to summon a demon. Oh yeah, totally. That’s why they didn’t make that movie Django Unchained. :rolleyes: Idiot. eta: ninja’d dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/413 "2013-07-08T22:42:44Z")
> [@bup](#): > > Still, I can’t view some of my dead relatives as simplistic villains because they sometimes used that word (or others - forgot “ink spot” :rolleyes: ), even though some of my other relatives who were their contemporaries seemed to know better. They were flawed people, as I am a flawed person (albeit in different ways). Can’t speak for anybody else, but I certainly wouldn’t expect you to view your relatives as simplistic villains. I still love my racist grandparents, ya know. But I won’t excuse their racism. When they say something racist, I tell them that they’re being racist. ---
**Author:** ![Kid\_Charisma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecccb3/32.png) [@Kid\_Charisma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kid_Charisma)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/414 "2013-07-08T23:26:44Z")
> [@aag3981](#): > > Really? Who is “blaming a victim”? I think that if the US Government had to send troops down just to monitor the schools being de-segregrated, its fair to assume that racist views were pretty darn prevalent. Racist or supporters for Jim Crow were opressive against everyone that tried to change their way of life. I think it’s odd that you can achknowledge that she is being misrepresented by the media, and not be at all suspicious or just maybe a little doubtful of the image they are providing for the public. Also, while I can see SOME connection to the OJ fiasco, that involved a murder and subsequent trial. We are talking a racial slur Paula admitted to saying 30 years ago. If you are willing to accept the media’s unfair reporting and preference for the most sensational news they can provide sole for entertainment, sales and ratings, without regard or being held responsible for damage done, then very well. I personally believe that they should provide accurate information so I can make an educated decision. For starters, if you read my post closely, you wouldn’t really need to read THAT close anyway because I never said any “victims were blamed.” But, instead, I said it’s ALMOST like the victims are being blamed. As far as Jim Crow goes, yes, I am aware that it included but was not limited to black people during the 1870’s and beyond. If you read any of my other post closely you would see that I also mentioned that not EVERYONE in the south was a flaming bigot. Which, indirectly, could also mean that there were also white supporters of the Civil Rights movement. Given that more often than not middle-class or above whites have almost always had a soap-box or platform from which to preach (not to mention there has always been more of them), it stands to reason that whites were a HUGE part of the success of the Civil Rights movement. So, there you go, no angle or agenda from me. What’s odd about me being very aware that she has, on some level, been mis-represented by the media? Is that not “another day at the office” when it comes to the handling of celebrities? I realize the image that is being crafted is that Deen is an old racist bigot. But, let’s be serious, it’s not like the media played spin the bottle and it was “her turn”. She provided some rather foolish ammo. There is something virtuous about being slow to speak. Whether she was under duress thirty years ago or thirty seconds ago, we all have a choice of what comes out of our mouth’s. Do I think our sins should haunt us for the rest of our lives? No, not particularly. But, then, you knew that already. I mentioned before I don’t think her whole empire should come to a grinding halt. I think she should be able to pull a Martha Stewart, lick her wounds, and revive her career. While calling someone a “nigger” probably wouldn’t be in the same vein as committing double homicide, I am glad you see the slim connection with the O.J. trial. I think the use of the word “nigger” was involved in that trial too. Oh, the irony. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2013, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/415 "2013-07-08T23:59:33Z")
> [@aag3981](#): > > If people said she only said it once, they didn’t read the testimony (no shock though, no one on here has read it either). [From the testimony](http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/19/showbiz/paula-deen-racial-slur) "Jackson lawyer: “ **Have you ever used the ‘N word’ yourself?** ” Deen: “ **Yes, of course.** ” Deen testified that she probably used the racial slur when talking to her husband about “when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head.” “I didn’t feel real favorable towards him,” she said, referring to the robber. Jackson lawyer: “ **Have you used it since then?** ” Deen: “ **I’m sure I have, but it’s been a very long time.** ”" So, she testifies that she used it more than once, and _not just_ 30 years ago. But you beat that 30 years ago like a rented mule… > [@aag3981](#): > > I’m not condoning the use of the word, but I don’t see why all the hoopla over her saying 30 years ago. > [@aag3981](#): > > Because I don’t know how things will be in 30 years, how my views will change or what will be socially accepted, but its really scary to think that something that I may do now will come back to bite me in 30 years, not because what did was so bad, but because times have changed and the standard 30 years from now will be used to judge it. > [@aag3981](#): > > No I don’t see any evidence of it. After reading her testimony, she said some off color things 30 years ago, in the privacy over her own home when recalling a violent event done to her by a black person. > [@aag3981](#): > > She said a racist thing 30 years ago in a heated moment. > [@aag3981](#): > > Sure she is aware that it isn’t appropriate, but does it really surprise you that 30 years ago, in an heated moment, the racism she was raised on came out? > [@aag3981](#): > > Ok, lets say, 30 years ago, there is evidence that she was a “trashy piece of shit” (not that I believe for a sec one comment in any person’s life should should be given such gravity) but does that mean she is like that now? > [@aag3981](#): > > I just don’t jump to conclusions and judge people on comments made 30 years ago. > [@aag3981](#): > > But Paula Deen slipping a racial slur in her own home, 15 or 20 years after the Civil Rights Movement is completely shocking, confirms that she runs or allows hostile, discriminatory work environments 30 years later and should pay some chick over a million dollars for it. And finally, after another poster pointed out that it was not just once thirty years ago… > [@aag3981](#): > > 1. I’m aware that she has confessed to using the word on other occasions but she also said that it was a long time ago. But then… > [@aag3981](#): > > Many people don’t think it really matter if they are talking about things said 30 years ago. And… > [@aag3981](#): > > I believe the Paula Deen lawsuit is about rather or not she knew and allowed places she funded to harbor a discriminating working environment and that they are attempting to use 30 year old comments as an attempt to make their story more plausible. > [@aag3981](#): > > (Really!! An old southern woman said the N-word 30 years ago!!) \>\>\> Snip \<\<\< I don’t see how using the N-word 30 years ago means she believed she could say it in front of any black people now. > [@aag3981](#): > > I’m absolutely sure she did sign paperwork requiring her to present a good image, but she is getting reamed for behavior that happened 30 years ago or behavior she presented or ignored in private. > [@aag3981](#): > > What did she do wrong? She confessed to saying a racial slur 30 years ago. > [@aag3981](#): > > As for Paula, her comments are 30 years old. \>\>\> Snip \<\<\< I personally, will not judge someone by 30 year old comments because times and people change. > [@aag3981](#): > > She said it in her home, 30 years ago. > [@aag3981](#): > > Considering that the main piece of evidence is 30 years old, I don’t see it as impossible. > [@aag3981](#): > > She has said all that you believe she should have said and has in fact DONE better if you consider the fact that her comment was 30 years old and even the Plaintiff confirmed that she has never heard Paula say the word. \>\>\> Snip \<\<\< I believe Paula saying the word 30 years about should be a non-issue and is not a big deal. > [@aag3981](#): > > The fact that she has not been observed using it and doesn’t testify that she used it in 30 years would support that she makes an effort to live like she states her views are. > [@aag3981](#): > > We are talking a racial slur Paula admitted to saying 30 years ago. > [@aag3981](#): > > [@aag3981](#): > > I whole heartedly believe that Paula holds prejudiced views, but if a 30 year old racial slur and 5 year old brief reminising of a old south themed restaurant is all you got, then I don’t really see anything more than a woman that’s a product of the time and place she was raised. > [@aag3981](#): > > Well to turn that back around, making something a big deal 30 years later doesn’t mean it was a big deal when it was said. > [@aag3981](#): > > The point is not that she said it once, or used it for a period of her life, the question and concern people have is, should the fact that she used the word 30 years ago matter. > [@aag3981](#): > > While 30 years may not be THAT long ago, it’s still a lot of time that a person can change. > [@aag3981](#): > > I guess Paula is being made a pariah for saying it and that was for saying it 30 years ago, before she was ever famous. ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/416 "2013-07-09T00:39:08Z")
It’s astonishing how invested someone can get in defending a racist. If people worked this hard _against_ racism, we’d have ended it by now. ---
**Author:** ![aag3981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aag3981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aag3981)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/417 "2013-07-09T01:04:40Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > To white people. > > Also, you are an idiot. I grew up _ **IN MISSISSIPPI** _ 30 years ago, and I fucking promise you, nigger was a bad word. I know it means something to you that we excuse using racial slurs in the 80’s but people did know better then. Sorry. You are stupid and you lose. Who in the world says it wasn’t a bad word? I grew up IN SOUTH CAROLINA 30 years ago, and I have never known it to be anything else than a bad horrible word to say. The point that was being made was that its more taboo today than it was 30 years. And who cares if it was or wasn’t more taboo then, she said it 30 years ago. If all you got to prove what a horrible racist person she is that demeans her black employees and promotes hostile working environment, is a 30 year old slur and bad offensive taste in briefly discuss-but-never-seriously-considered wedding themes, you are silly. This slaughter she is getting in the public is ridiculous. It’s tidbits of testimony that the plaintiff reported to the National Inquirer to boost their case that the restaurant her brother operates harbors a hostile working place. The media has consistently passed on and reported that she admitted to saying “nigger”. Would anybody in the world had believed her if she denied ever having said it? Where are the news reports that report that the plaintiff’s testified that she never hear Paula say the N-word, or about the letter the plaintiff sent to Paula and her brother thanking them for the wonderful opportunities working for them has provided her, or about how the plaintiff attempted to report a horribly over-exaggerated interaction between Paula’s brother and a long time employee where she claimed Paula’s brother violently shook the employee when all he did was place a hand on the employee’s shoulder. Also, there is the curious fact that if Paula had just paid the woman a million dollars to begin with, this never would have had a day in court. There are more sides to this than is being reported and lots of folks are passing judgment on a incomplete story. ---
**Author:** ![aag3981](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/53a042/32.png) [@aag3981](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aag3981)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/418 "2013-07-09T01:05:51Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > As has been repeatedly communicated, the problem isn’t that she was a racist 30 years ago, it’s that she has demonstrated a complete lack of personal growth and is by all appearances still a big ol’ racist. Ok, how has she demonstrated a complete lack of personal growth? ---
**Author:** ![Troppus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a587f6/32.png) [@Troppus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Troppus)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/419 "2013-07-09T01:06:43Z")
> [@MacCat](#): > > [From the testimony](http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/19/showbiz/paula-deen-racial-slur) > > "Jackson lawyer: “ **Have you ever used the ‘N word’ yourself?** ” > Deen: “ **Yes, of course.** ” > Deen testified that she probably used the racial slur when talking to her husband about “when a black man burst into the bank that I was working at and put a gun to my head.” “I didn’t feel real favorable towards him,” she said, referring to the robber. > > Jackson lawyer: “ **Have you used it since then?** ” > Deen: “ **I’m sure I have, but it’s been a very long time.** ”" > > So, she testifies that she used it more than once, and _not just_ 30 years ago. But you beat that 30 years ago like a rented mule… > > …snippity snippity snip snip the dead horse polka… > > And finally, after another poster pointed out that it was not just once thirty years ago… > > But then… > > And… Holy shit, **aag3981** , you are boring. Bor-ring. I mean, you’re a flaming racist too, but sooo boring. ETA: ha ha ha snuck another in: > [@aag3981](#): > > I grew up IN SOUTH CAROLINA 30 years ago, and I have never known it to be anything else than a bad horrible word to say. The point that was being made was that its more taboo today than it was 30 years. And who cares if it was or wasn’t more taboo then, she said it 30 years ago. If all you got to prove what a horrible racist person she is that demeans her black employees and promotes hostile working environment, is a 30 year old slur… Don’t quit now, **aag3981** , I don’t think you’ve made your point. ---
**Author:** ![Kolga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e56c9b/32.png) [@Kolga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolga)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2013, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049/420 "2013-07-09T01:14:58Z")
> [@aag3981](#): > > And you would look like a stupid asshole because no where does this thread mention anything you are noting. You’ve argued, in various iterations, all three of those, you ignorant racist fucktard, and everyone reading this knows it. Hide behind your white sheet all you want, but don’t think the rest of us can’t see you. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049.md?page=20) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/paula-deen/662049.md?page=22)