I liked Paula Deen's show - though I didn't make any of her recipes because the calorie and fat count is astronomical. I am horrified at these revelations about her behavior. I don't care what age you are or where you are from, racism and bigotry are wrong and the N word (or other slurs) is never acceptable.

I'm not sure why there's 11 pages of debate on this. Seems like Paula Deen is a closet racist and the Food Network made the decision to part ways. Very simple and, to me, completely uncontroversial.

Anonymous wrote:Why are black standup comics and rap singers allowed to use the word while Paula Deen cannot? The word's not illegal. I cannot believe the Food Network caved. I'm white, from the north, have never used the word myself. But I think this is outrageous, that her contract was not renewed.

I was watching an episode of Will & Grace and Grace, Karen and Jack were discussing restaurants. Grace said, "why did we pick this place, it's taking forever to get our food?" Jack said, "well they didn't mention anything about food in the fagat's book." Grace said, "you mean Zagats idiot!" Jack pulled out his guide and replied, "not in my book. The one I have talks about which restaurants have the hottest waiters!"

A show written by straight writers could have not have gotten away with this.

As for not renewing her contract, it has nothing to do with what Paula Deen and Bubba said or did. Out of respect for its viewers, talent and employees, the FN demonstrated that they have zero tolerance for those kinds of incendiary shenanigans. It is not unlike Mel Gibson being ostracized from Hollyweird or John Galliano getting dropped by Dior. Natalie Portman had a contract with Dior and she had just won an Oscar. No way could they keep him on after that. Paula Deen did herself no favors in the way this thing way handled from a PR perspective. Video apologies, last minute cancellations, etc... Shows she is a total coward and guilty.

Nobody really cares that she said that word and created a hostile work environment. You just cant do that and expect to make the kind of money that Paula Deen was making; nor can you expect that an apology will suffice. Miss Paula is going to have to sleep in the butter-soaked bed she made.

Last point PP. I dare you to walk into your place of employment and say to a Black person, "excuse me nigger but how did you get this job?" I think that would be your last day.

Anonymous wrote:From CNN article: "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."

She can use whatever words she wants in a private conversation with her husband. That's no one's business.

(1) That is what she admitted to. She is accused of using the word a few years ago, in the workplace. This is part of the suit.
(2) Food Network can (and did) fire her ass, which is their right, because her off-camera behavior affects their business.

From CNN article: "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."

She can use whatever words she wants in a private conversation with her husband. That's no one's business.

Just all the way wrong! Stupid as hell. Even if she thought it, she should have kept that crap to herself. Entitled much? Now, what's Oprah gonna do with their friendship? The pictures of her she looks like a haggy, burned, alcoholic. Why is she so "red"?

Anonymous wrote:Don't you sing any rap songs? I frequently use the N word when I sing along with Snoop etc...

Loser!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should have been fired after the diabetes business.

She's such a fake, anyway. I don't feel sorry for her. What an opportunist.

Oh, the irony of opportunists on DCUM.

???

ITA. I can't stand Paula Deen; she represents all that is bad and wrong with the South. This couldn't have happened to a nicer person. I'm thrilled to see her out on her fat can.

Interesting how many people in this thread think it's fine to comment negatively about someone's body/appearance/weight rather than focusing on the inappropriate comments she's admits to making. Also, which part of our country--or, for that matter, the world--do you think people lack prejudice regarding other groups? I look forward to your response!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should have been fired after the diabetes business.

She's such a fake, anyway. I don't feel sorry for her. What an opportunist.

Oh, the irony of opportunists on DCUM.

???

ITA. I can't stand Paula Deen; she represents all that is bad and wrong with the South. This couldn't have happened to a nicer person. I'm thrilled to see her out on her fat can.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are black standup comics and rap singers allowed to use the word while Paula Deen cannot? The word's not illegal. I cannot believe the Food Network caved. I'm white, from the north, have never used the word myself. But I think this is outrageous, that her contract was not renewed.

I'm having trouble understanding how anyone can ask this question with a straight and serious face, but I'll bite. As a female, I think similarly of the words slut/cunt/whore/bitch - they are a bit more acceptable for women to say and use, because those immensely hurtful words have a deep history of being tied to misogyny and patriarchy. A female using it however, can be a kind of way of reclaiming ownership of those historically hurtful words. It's mine to use - not for YOU (some misogynistic man) to use against me, but it's mine to reconfigure a new discourse. It doesn't mean that they're awesome words to use - but the context is completely and totally different.

I don't pretend to say that those words are equal in hurt to the N-word or other slurs and hate speech, but I think the idea is in a similar vein. It doesn't mean those words are awesome to use - but it's up for the demographics of who the words have been historically pointed at, to take the reigns of those same words and take it back.

To me, this is BS and rationalization. Women don't need to "own" these words. No one needs to use them, and I think the same of the "N" word, regardless of who wants to use it. For our kids to hear demeaning words thrown out indiscriminately and often in any kind of music desensitizes them to those words.

Well, it's not up to you to decide how and if people reclaim words that have been imparted onto them in very hurtful ways. It's fine that you don't - but that is your experience. When groups reclaim words, [b]they're not necessarily demeaning anymore [/b]- that's entirely the point of this phenomenon.

That said, I absolutely agree that indiscriminate use of those words - or hell, indiscriminate *anything* in life, should be avoided.

PP here. No, it's not up to me to decide, but I do have an opinion. For example, I strongly believe that middle and high school girls don't need to be calling each other derogatory terms, and they don't need to be hearing guys using those terms in rap or any other kind of music.

yeeeeehawwww y'aaall!!!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She should have been fired after the diabetes business.

She's such a fake, anyway. I don't feel sorry for her. What an opportunist.

Oh, the irony of opportunists on DCUM.

???