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Food Network has fired Paula Deen

Dan Svatass
Dan Svatass
Jun 26, 2013
7:13am
Block User
Now it's standards-free Walmart that's getting Paula Deen out.

So says the New York Times today:

Walmart to Stop Selling Deen’s Products
Paula Deen’s culinary empire suffered a new blow on Wednesday, as Walmart announced it was ending their lucrative partnership, selling cookware, food and other products branded with the celebrity chef’s name.
. . .
There are currently 215 Paula Deen-branded items on the company’s Web site, from aprons and salad dressings to reading glasses, china and a new line of "finishing butters."

Finishing butters? OMFG! Now even Walmart thinks its customers can't stomach her act? Wow!

Message to successful people: if you're still racist in 2013, for god's sake get some skills at hiding it!
12251n
12251n
Jun 26, 2013
7:56am
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: Chilcoot
Quote
Originally posted by: corgimom
I guess I don't understand why one rich old white woman can be clubbed over the head for it but hundreds of rappers, comedians and actors can say it everyday and be handsomely rewarded for it with CD and ticket sales.
Rules should be the same for everyone - NO ONE should use it, and anyone who does should receive the same backlash for it.
You'll understand when you understand the dynamics of human slavery and segregation as practiced in the American South. It's those institutions, and the nation's reaction to them, that are largely responsible the racial powderkeg we're all still sitting on.

It's not just that Paula Deen said that one magic word. Its who she is, where she's from, and the context in which she said it (and the many other hateful things she apparently also said).

A couple thoughts that might help you understand this dynamic:

1. Slavery and segregation weren't run by the social class that makes up today's rappers, comedians, and actors. They were run by wealthy white people of privilege. And so when we see yet another wealthy white person of privilege echo the thoughts of the wealthy white people of privilege who ran slavery and segregation, it raises old sensitivities that aren't triggered when some powerless poor ghetto kid utters it.

2. No one is rewarded solely for saying that one word. I can't defend most rap use of the term, that's usually cheap and degrading. But when Chris Rock and Richard Pryor and Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee use it, it's almost always in service of a greater artistic point.

3. Paula Deen will be fine. She'll have lots of money and fancy things and still have lots of clueless defenders. Hopefully she'll enjoy her new free time and reflect on the racist rot that others put in her.

4. No one buys CDs anymore.


Well... you got this one right.
forkushV
forkushV
Jun 26, 2013
9:37am
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: Chilcoot
Quote
Originally posted by: Chilcoot
Quote
Originally posted by: teach8
The bigger question is what happens to all the Paula Deen buffers scattered around the Caesar's empire?
They will be re-branded. Soon.

Because, from a purely financial perspective, she's just not worth it. Not even close.
Well that was quick.

CNN, a couple hours ago:

Caesars drops Paula Deen, closes her restaurants

In yet another blow to Paula Deen, Caesars Entertainment Corporation announced Wednesday that it will be ending its relationship with the embattled celebrity chef.

Caesars operates Paula Deen-themed restaurants at four of its casinos: Horseshoe Southern Indiana, Harrah's Tunica in Mississippi, Harrah's Joliet in Illinois and Harrah's Cherokee in North Carolina.
Dang. Now where can I find her turkey special: White and dark meat - separate but equal.

NAVYMOM924
NAVYMOM924
Jun 26, 2013
11:42am
Block User
I feel it's really become an assignation at this point. People say stupid stuff every day, Imus did it with the Rutgers Girls Basketball team, eventually things will cool down. I'm not saying she doesn't deserves some outcry, but jees, this is ridiculous. I for one LIKE her! I would have continued to watch her...now, well I may need to find a new place to watch cooking..oh yea, The Chew! Food network, good luck with your ratings now.

Joe K
Joe K
Jun 26, 2013
1:40pm
Block User
I disliked her promoting of high fat diets and the fact that she hid her diabetes for so long, but I agree that it seems her punishment is a little bit of an overreaction.

Many, many celebrities have gotten away with a lot of stuff over the years. But it seems white people are especially targeted if they say the wrong thing. Nikki Sixx is the only white guy I know that managed to overcome a racial slur that was caught on tape without it destroying his career. Michael Richards, Don Imus, Mel Gibson and John Mayer weren't so lucky...

Now, think about some of the vile crap that people like Lauren Hill, Kayne West, and Ice Cube have said in the past - and yet no public outcry?

BobOrme
BobOrme
Jun 26, 2013
4:30pm
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: Joe K
I disliked her promoting of high fat diets and the fact that she hid her diabetes for so long, but I agree that it seems her punishment is a little bit of an overreaction.

Many, many celebrities have gotten away with a lot of stuff over the years. But it seems white people are especially targeted if they say the wrong thing. Nikki Sixx is the only white guy I know that managed to overcome a racial slur that was caught on tape without it destroying his career. Michael Richards, Don Imus, Mel Gibson and John Mayer weren't so lucky...

Now, think about some of the vile crap that people like Lauren Hill, Kayne West, and Ice Cube have said in the past - and yet no public outcry?


Robert Byrd.

If one is a well known liberal racist, their racism is ignored. They not only keep their jobs, they get promoted.
forkushV
forkushV
Jun 26, 2013
4:48pm
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: Joe K
...Many, many celebrities have gotten away with a lot of stuff over the years. But it seems white people are especially targeted if they say the wrong thing. Nikki Sixx is the only white guy I know that managed to overcome a racial slur that was caught on tape without it destroying his career. Michael Richards, Don Imus, Mel Gibson and John Mayer weren't so lucky...

Now, think about some of the vile crap that people like Lauren Hill, Kayne West, and Ice Cube have said in the past - and yet no public outcry?
Fair or not, white people are perceived as "punching down" when they get racial. It tends to come across as pure prejudice, that is, discriminating against people based on their presumably inferior race. On the other hand, black slurs against whites are perceived more as a reaction to oppression and racial discrimination itself.

And in 2012, African American voters were forced to wait in line 60% longer than whites. American racism isn't just found in history books, is it?
forkushV
forkushV
Jun 26, 2013
4:58pm
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: BobOrme
Robert Byrd.

If one is a well known liberal racist, their racism is ignored. They not only keep their jobs, they get promoted.
And Pope Benedict was at one time a member of the Hitler Youth, as a young man Saint Paul persecuted Christians, and the guy that wrote the words to "Amazing Grace" was at one time the captain of a slave ship. Sometimes people just have a change of heart.

Or maybe they just get away with it because they are liberals!
bushman
bushman
Jun 27, 2013
2:48am
Block User
Quote
Originally posted by: Blade




Much, much better.
Dan Svatass
Dan Svatass
Jun 27, 2013
5:36am
Block User
Today it was Target's turn to give Paula Deen the heave-ho. And Home Depot. And Novo Nordisk.

I think I'll stop chronicling her fall and say that, for all practical purposes, it's pretty much over for her, and that I feel sorry for her, because she wasn't strong enough to resist the rot of hate that her family, friends, and culture instilled in her.

I do see, however, that her latest cookbook is doing very well. Obviously she still has fans who will help her get through this. For them, here's a picture of Paula Deen with something fried.

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