Sunday, June 30, 2013

The Paula Deen Mystery



Well, I'm going to have to do this post.  I wouldn't feel right if I didn't because I've written about all the important news as it happens to us through the years as a blogger.  It may not be the politically correct thing to do, and of course, there is always the possibility I'm wrong about nearly everything.  But I have to write about the fall from favor of Paula Deen.

I will say that I'm always loyal to the celebrities I prefer.  I usually defend  my favorites because I actually don't have very many.  It takes a lot for me to accept a celebrity as a person instead of just a name..  Naturally because of her hard won success and home values, I have loved Paula.  Due to Food Network's hard sell, we watched her get engaged, we traveled with her to Paris, and we cried when she was surprised by her family. We were cordially invited and attended her wedding, we watched her have Christmas, holidays, and we basically went with her on all kinds of vacations and adventures.

Then comes the shock of this week and the tears, trauma, and near total destruction of her world...  And any part of ours we had allowed her to enter.  I'm a hard sell when it comes to seeing a person the object of an onslaught of half truth, deliberate semantic wording, and obvious discrimination.  I was at first shocked, curious, a little indignant.  As more and more dropped her I became truly sad, confused, actually outraged.  Words do not make racists.  I have heard both sides, and I have investigated and read diatribes both in her favor and against her....

The truth is...  She admitted a part of her past, and then something sinister, wild, and unstoppable took the reins to make a statement.  Can one human being be culpable for all the racism, bitterness, and resentment of two races of Americans?  Unbelievably, it seems both white and black America are having a go at that.  More than 50 years have passed since the dissident 60's.  Of course, another hundred before that was the slavery....   I'm not black.  But I, myself, nor my parents or grandparents refused to serve a black person...  Nor did we hold slaves...  And I don't think I'm responsible for the past.   You know what?  Neither is Paula.

Parties have been held in all manner of theme...  We have Marie Antoinette on a pedestal these days.  Homes have been decorated in Antebellum style by myriads of homeowners...  Our Prom was Gone With the Wind...  Somewhere, unscathed, IS that restaurant with the infamous back staff....  But the news slant pierces her reputation with " slave theme parties".   I was recently reminded of all the other groups of people who were enslaved....  All these periods of slavery throughout recorded history are examples  of man's inhumanity to man.  

We romanticize the wars, the struggles, and the misfortunes of any eras..  Really, we are all here as a result of some distinct, merciful blessings mixed with some cursed, regrettable atrocities...  I would hate for the groups associated with the history behind my parties, plans, and conversations to judge me by one or two comments or fleeting thoughts.

Bottom line.  I don't know who or what ------ but something big is behind this.  Vulnerable due to her private family enterprise, not syndicated, not headed up by groups of shareholders, the Paula Deen enterprise was a sure target for a takeover of sorts...  A destruction...  And/or a message, a lesson to anyone who is alive today.

We fans can vainly point out the ironies...  Truly racist movies, books, CDs, and products sit on the shelves of all the corporations that have dumped her.  I'm to believe that no CEO or boss in the world EVER said that word...  I'm also supposed to fall into the belief that one word is more hurtful to the Black race than other words to other people ...

It's too much for my brain, but I continue to search for a hidden agenda, the secret conspiracy.  If something is just too bizarre to be true, it probably isn't.   This Paula Deen thing is NOT about a word uttered to her husband in her private kitchen 30! years ago...  It is not about a fleeting thought for a wedding reception.  What is it then?  Possibly money.  Maybe a lesson to her for some code of corporate marketing...  Maybe a slur to her age and gender...  Maybe a distraction for the real news...  All I can believe for sure....  It ain't all about a word and a discarded idea for a party...  It won't happen to the CEO of Coca-Cola, or Kraft, or even Martha Stewart....

I have been a teacher long enough to know bullying when it happens.  This whole debacle is bullying...  Discriminatory and just plain weirdly cruel.  I'm sad.  I'm Shocked....And I am so very curious.  I want to know who " they" are...  I'm not sure America can stand the truth.  But I'd love to expose it.

63 comments:

orfanannie said...

Kudos to you for this article! You must send it on to Paula. I also feel she is being bullied and with all the hoopla about bullying going around these days, people should be ashamed of themselves. I love Paula and she is what she is and has never pretended to be other than that. How quickly all those old "supporters
have dumped her without hearing or paying attention to the "rest of the story". Something is definitely afoot and it's very smelly. Thank you again!

Unknown said...

I agree & I am amazed at this total hate that has been thrown at her. Is it a distraction for something the government wants to do? Did she make a politician's wife mad? I want to know, but in the mean time, I bought three cookbooks I don't really need & subscribed to her magazine. I need to write letters to her advertisers, supporters, & foes.

Heather Johnson said...

I love your post!! And I totally agree with everything you just said to! I love Paula Deen and I as well as many of her fans can't believe how she has been treated. I can't recall another celebrity being treated this badly before. Something definitely is strange about this and I agree that it's about more than just a word she said years ago or an idea for a party that she obviously discarded if she even said it to begin with. Whatever it may be it will all come out in time and Paula will get through this..her true fans will stand by her. I believe in forgiveness and second chances...it's just sad that so many others seem not to anymore.

Sherlie said...

I agree completely with what you have said. Will we ever know the "rest of the story"? What is this really all about? I have been totally dumbfounded how these events have unfolded and cannot wrap my head around it either. Thank you for sharing what so many of us are thinking.

Unknown said...

Totally on spot with this article. I agree with your point of view and only hope that Paula can recognize this for what it is and not take it to heart. She is strong and will bounce back. It would be hard not to take this personal but when you walk through fire you tend to get tougher. Thank you for sharing your insight.

Saphire18` said...

You hit the nail on the head!

Unknown said...

I also think there is something else behind all this. I have seen some other stuff floating around out there but don't know how it all fits. so if you can find the truth I really hope you share. Thank you for this article!

Unknown said...

Love this! So very true that Paula is being bullied. Shame on the news media, the corporations, and anyone else resposible for such abhorrent behavior!

Dande said...

You are right....this is nothing but sheer bullying. I am surprised she voted for obama cause at this level of her being dropped this is extrenely high up

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for bringing up Martha Stewart!
This is soooooop unfair to poor Paula!

Denise said...


I have also come to believe there is a lot more to this after watching sponsor after sponsor drop her. I just shake my head because it is beyond regular reason, and something is going on. I did not realize her enterprise is all private, but that would explain why people we thought were her associates are not speaking up for her. Paula is going to be okay, and I cannot wait to see how she comes through this.

Unknown said...

So very insightful! For a society who is so up in arms against bullying, they have certainly jumped on the "Let's trash Paula" bandwagon.
Paula has worked hard for everything she and her family have and it's so sad to to see this happen to her.

Unknown said...

Very well said! You are right. It is weirdly cruel what has been done to her. The power of our tabloid media is really frightening....

Unknown said...

Excellent article. I totally agree

Unknown said...

Very well said! My heart truly breaks for her. May God wrap his loving arms around her and comfort her during this difficult time.

ThreeDawgLady said...

I so thank you for writing this....I feel just the way you do. I still can not wrap my mind around how all this has happened to her....it was like watching that movie with Denzel Washington and there is that runaway train....can't remember the name....but, the train started out slow....then before ANYONE had any idea that "there might" be a problem...that train had run over everyone....IT just isn't right what has been done to Paula .

Anonymous said...

I totally agree. There may be sonething bigger behind this. It really breaks my heart. I'm trying my best to do something aboutit.

If you are considering taking your business elsewhere, here's a facebook page for you to check out. Http://www.facebook.com/supportpauladeenboycotts

Wonder1 said...

I agree. If we allow the stores, media, political agendas and now our court system to take a person's livlihood and turn it upside down over a racial statement made over 20 years ago and not realize that this has stirred the pot for extreme racial unrest then shame on us. Paula Deen is a successful woman that selfish hateful people could not wait to get at and has exaggerated, and used this incident for their benefit.

Unknown said...

I HOPE WHEN ALL THIS IS OVER SAID AND DONE AND EVERYONE FINDS OUT THE REAL TRUTH AND REALIZES HOW WRONG THEY WERE THEY ALL GET ON THEIR
KNEES ANS ASK HER FOR FORGIVENESS

Unknown said...

such a wonderful article, so glad I r read it, and I hope Paula Deen will read it

ruthie7188 said...

Hooray for you for defending Paula. I am disgusted and heartbroken over the treatment she has received. I hope Paula gets through all this crap and comes out on top as the funny, loving woman she has always been. Thank you for the article.

Unknown said...

A great article. I just "love" the way the media takes partial truths & spins them to be something evil. Shame on Matt Lauer & the Today show for deserting Paula in her time of need. She had been a part of that family & seemed to be loved by all of them & then when she wasn't emotionally able to do his interview he & the others @ Today turned their back on her & made all kinds of hurtful statements. So two faced! The other companies who said they would not tolerate such behavior, I ask this question. Have you polygraphed every person who works for you & ask them if they had ever used the N word? If you have & they failed & you let them go, then I understand why you let Paula go.....but I seriously don't believe that has or will happen. She told the truth. Give her some credit for that!

Kristal said...

Amen! Please keep asking this and bringing it up as much as possible. Paula, and all her fans, deserve the truth about what is really going on!!

Linda Walker Howard said...

I agree with you 100%. My husband and I have been saying the same thing for days. What the heck is going on? Why Paula Deen? I love Paula Deen! I actually met her at The Lady and Sons a number of years ago, before her well-earned fame. She is a lovely, friendly, sweet person. I am completely baffled by this bullying and character assassination. Why do so many people say she is greedy ... she has earned every bit of success she has by working hard and struggling to take care of her family. What's "greedy" about that? I pray for Paula and her family every night. Heck, I feel like she is my family, and it hurts me to see people hurt her. This world is nuts!

Echo said...

love, love,love your comment.

i have never been a fan of deens and while i have caught snippets of her show when going thru the channels i have never watched one. but like you i have read everything i could find on the mess. and i believe it's all about the money.
after reading the letter that jackson's lawyer sent to deen's lawyer laying out the demand for money and what would happen? and then the letter that jackson had sent to deen a couple of months before she quit?? oh yeah, it's the money
here is the letter that jackson sent to deen if you or no one else has seen it.

http://multimedia.savannahnow.com/media/pdfs/Lisa_Jackson_Letter.pdf

Unknown said...

I love Jimmy Carter for casting his support to Paula. He's another unsung hero.

Jane Rabun said...

Thank you for your words. I absolutely, whole heartedly agree. And I agree with the first comment about sending this article to Paula. However, I also would love for you to send it to all her X supporters !!!!! I am with you, shocked, appalled, angry-----

David Stroud said...

As I see this, Paula have people on her side from all races, age, gender and political views. If you have the likes of Glenn Beck, Michelle Obama, Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Maher and many others from left and right of issues coming to your defense? Than, you have conquered and beloved by many people like Paula have. The biggest bully is Al Sharpton and his campaign to destroy her. Even Al sharpton is losing his followers for doing this junk to people.

Unknown said...

Thank you for your kind words for Miss Paula. I believe that all the companies who have dropped her are looking for their 15 minutes of fame. Their corporate names go into the articles and they get mentioned time and time again. Free advertising plain and simple. And it is just plain wrong. I pray that she bounces back soon but I also feel right now she just needs to lay low. Let all the hype die down and then shoot back up with a vengence.

Valerie Jackson said...

Bravo! Well said. My husband works for Paula and she is the most generous, down to earth lady you would care to meet. She has definitely been targeted unfairly and, yes, bullied.
I truly hope and pray that things will turn around for Paula and good will come from this terrible situation.

Learn How Easy It Is To Work From Home!!! said...

You are right on the money!! I have had so many feelings about all of this..shock, sad, angry, disbelief, crying, angry - back & forth..but for the last 3 days, I have felt VERY uneasy. Something is definitely amiss. This is just too ridiculous for it to just be about one word! My grandmother was born in 1903 in South Georgia. I heard her say that word many times. I asked my Daddy what it meant & he told me but also said it was not a word I should ever say. With all of the celebrities who have done so much worse with no backlash or 'punishment'. But whoever this barbaric fool is who is hurting Paula-I present you with a challenge-STEP UP, GROW UP, ADMIT WHAT YOU'VE DONE...TELL THE TRUTH FOR PROBABLY THE 1ST TIME IN YOUR LIFE!!

Susan Rhymes Harvey said...

Thank you for saying it so succinctly.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Amen, amen, I totally agree. Very well said. This is a crime for real. Hugs, Marty

Unknown said...

Finally someone has said what I have felt! It makes me so sick to see many manipulated and falling into the media trap of a public tar and feathering of someone who by many of accounts is a wonderful lady who is just was fortunate enough to make a good name for herself. There are real life issues going on right now not years ago that we should be more concerned with. Thank you for your clarity on this situation.

Peggys said...

An amazing take on this tragedy. Paula Deen has been targeted, and I do not understand why? There are so many others out there that have committed actual crimes, been racists, and are really sorry people, why her? She never hurt anyone. She told the truth, when she really didn't have to. I hope you keep digging. I for one ordered her cookbook and will try and order something from her every month to show my support. I am on Social Security, but Lord knows that we all must stand behind her, if not in front of her to deflect this hate and anger being sent her way

Unknown said...

To be condemned for something that happened so long ago. I don't understand why she is being punished for being honest. So many other issues go by the wayside. I hope the Deen family can move on and get past all of this. They have my 100%support!!

Unknown said...

The "racial attack" on Paula had to do with one thing...money! She has it and someone else wants it. She worked hard for it, raised two sons without government assistance. So, because Obama is so into the reformation thing, I guess all the people who live on welfare and foodstamps (not the ones who really are disabled, but the ones who are generational) believe what Obama said about he was going to see that "everyone had the same amount of stuff". So....what better way than to take something she might have said years ago to use as an excuse to "get her stuff". Paula, I love you, have watched most all of your programs, ate like that growing up and even have a lot of your cookbooks. I guess this is what we have to look forward to in the years to come. Just remember though, Paula...what goes around comes around. God bless you.

Unknown said...

So well said! Paula has become family to so many of us through the media. She has welcomed us into her life with a smile. This in return hurts those who love her. We all want to know what the big deal is and why she is being targeted. It is bullying and wrong.So many of these companies have bones in their closets that have been scandalous and most true just google them and you will find they are not blameless.Yet so quickly they cast stones or should I say hurdle stones at her. I am not a racist nor do I believe she is. We love you Paula hold your head high and smile your beautiful smile! With love and dishes from my house to yours!

NanaDiana said...

Oh, Gayla- Thank you for posting this. If I held your pen in my hand I would trace your words. You have nailed this. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY this is happening. I think someone, somewhere, just could not stand the success. There is something deeper to this than we know and the truth is that we will probably never really know the real reason behind the whole attack on her.

We have ALL said things we shouldn't have said. I, for one, have dropped The Food Network from my watching habits. I refuse to support someone who is that narrow minded. Paula Deen is no more a racist than the man in the moon.

I am so thrilled that Jimmy Carter stood up for this fellow Southerner. He is a good man! xo Diana

Baditude said...

Using a racial slur more than 20 years ago and all this stuff happens? You are right there is something more going on! I can't believe one southern woman in 1986 muttered the "N"word in her home when referring to a man who held a gun to her head has done irreparable harm to the entire black race when they call themselves the "N"word and all their friends the "N"word every single day!

SAS said...

What is happening to Paula Deen and her family, is definately bullying. She, her husband and the boys are strong people and watch out world, they are going to come back bigger and better than ever.

Susan said...

I hope you truly do feel like you are blessed by a reader leaving a thoughtful comment that presents facts other than what you are posting. If your post is short on facts, why would you not want to hear more of the story? It can bring a more informed viewpoint to you and your readers, and a true sign of maturity is considering all the facts and admitting when you might have been wrong.

Once again, this is not all about just some comments made 20 years ago. There's much more to the story. Please read this.
http://www.blacklegalissues.com/Article_Details.aspx?artclid=7dfdbe0461

I am not doing anything harmful here. Please do not remove this comment, but leave it for your readers to make up their own minds about the case.

HLGW60 said...

Yes....I believe you are correct in thinking there is something larger behind this. It has to do with the allegations made in the civil suit brought against Paula Deen Enterprises. What her brother allegedly did and her corporation condoned are almost textbook versions of hostile work environments. There's violence, insults to and disparate treatment of protected classes (female and minorities) and money inequity. [And I think five years counts as pervasive. Lisa Jackson's medical issues from this show that it was affecting her health, It certainly has to do with money as far as companies are concerned and my hunch is that they think she will lose the lawsuit. Stayed tuned,

KO said...

We have a "constellation of scandals" CURRENTLY going on with our president, attorney general, state department, the former secretary of state, u.n. ambassador, IRS, justice department, homeland security-not to mention a mostly inept congress---and yet the bullying of Paula Dean "happens" for something uttered 30 years ago??

She had the decency to admit and apologize, our own president "didn't know", "doesn't know" "never heard anything"...

This country is going down the tubes-we are all "getting bullied" by our own government. what is happening to Paula Deen should be re-directed to the people who's salaries WE pay.

What is happening to her makes my blood boil. Paula Deen is a charitable and giving person, anyone can see she is warm and loves people. Can you imagine something like this happening to your mother or grandmother? God bless her and her family. God bless us all.

meezer3 said...

Wonderfully said and so very well put.
I was never interested in cooking so I was never a follower of Paula Deen. But I knew who she was.
When the media fire storm hit, I read all the news breaks and watched her heart felt interview on Good Morning America...as the days wore on got more and more angry.
I can not stand for any injustice and as far as I was concerned the punishment here just didn't seem to fit the crime. I had to take a stand and I have. She has been made a "sacrificial lamb" by all her so called associates. The companies who caried her products tucked their yellow tails in and ran...fearful that by supporting her and her "slip of tongue" the fallout from it would ultimately effect them. Hypocritical to the max. I have notifed each and every Company who turned coat and ran that I would no longer be using thier stores. Cut up their charge cards.
I truly believe that this has noting to do with Paula's past, so much as it has everything to do with her money. I also believe that in the end Paula will have come through this with a better ending..her life free of those people who never -really- cared about her or her well being. Her true friends will be there at the end alsways supporting her.

meezer3 said...

Wonderfully said! I couldn't have agreed more.

Kat said...

I agree just how completely crazy this has gotten and also agree this is some kind of bigger distraction to turn the nations eyes one way while something far worse and more sinister is going on in the other direction. Its horrible that Paula is being throw thru the wringer like this. One interesting note... This all broke and blew up around the same time it was quietly announced we were sending "aide" over to Syria.... Since the Paula scandle blew up not much more has been mentioned on the news about all the turmoil over in the middle east....

NJ said...

@Susan Aspiring Arts: ok, I read the article as you requested and I call BS. Where are these allegations from, the lawsuit filed by a White woman? I think she watched the movie "The Help", which was the 1950's, prior to giving her deposition. Read and think about what is alleged. Where are the Black people to back this up? Are you telling me there are Blacks in this country (USA)in 2013 that would accept treatment like that? Please, get real. Why aren't they all over the TV now that a White woman (but no Blacks, even on say. BET network?) had the courage to bring it all out? I am not buying what you are selling.

Pat said...

This proves we are not a consumer driven economy. Companies don't care what we want or they wouldn't be dropping Ms. Deen. They want to be in control and sell us what they want us to buy. They advertise and make us think we can't live without it. I would love to know what is really going on.

MP said...

I have been told that the court reporter sold the transcript to the inquired. I have not heard if charges are pending regarding this court reporter.

Linda Walker Howard said...

If the black employees were treated as horribly as some have posted here, Al Sharpton would have been camping out on the doorsteps of Uncle Bubba's and The Lady and Sons years ago. I have been to the restaurants and never saw any employee being treated badly. If you don't think there would have been a class action suit against Paula and her brother a long time ago, you must be nuts!

Unknown said...

Very well said. Agree with you 100%.

Barbra said...

I cannot add anything to your articulate posting. I was not a Paula groupie but that aside,the inequity is startling. Quentin Tarrantino can make a movie and use the "N" word over 100 times for entertainment and money and that's okay? Alec Baldwin can publicly slam homosexuals and that's okay? That's why I agree,something is amiss.

Unknown said...

there are simple things we can do when things like this happen--turn OFF your tv. do not give your busineses have gobsmacked Ms. Deen. smithfield can be brought to their knees quickly when we stop buying so can target, jcp, etc.If enough people boycott these places it can work. listen to what folks who work everyday with her have to say, see what they really think about how she runs her businesses. ask black people who work with her, example, the Neeleys. People who really know her should count not someone looking to ruin her for their own gain.

Anonymous said...

Amen!!!! you have said so well what i have been trying to say for days now!!! i know that she will come out of this with her family stronger than ever God has here in his hands!!! besides she is as strong as the mighty oak and yet as graceful and flexible as the great willow tree and all lady to boot!!! we love you Paula keep your head up tall if others can stomp all over our flag and people call themselves and others by names they should not and recording artists and movies etc can use nasty words all the time and not get any back slash then this should not be happening and i am proud of the gentleman who held the gun to your head for coming out and standing by you it made me so happy and proud of him and the influence you had on him after all this time!! god bless y'all!!!!

Unknown said...

I agree with you 100% and h
ope you can be the one to uncover the true story of what happened. It was so totally ridiculous that I can not even wrap my brain around all the controversy that happened so quick.

Unknown said...

You & I are thinking along the same lines. Been saying for a week that there's more to this corporate insanity than we can see. The response to this one N word is WAY OUT OF CONTROL. Someone is putting pressure on these companies to abandon her, and I'd like to know who!

Eugeria said...

Blessings to you for putting your thoughts into this well-spoken article for millions to read. My family has been having this very conversation ever since Paula Deen was exposed in the manner she was. Someone/something very powerful is behind this cruel, inexcusable bullying of her, and "it" needs to be exposed and held accountable. Thank you again for your courage and support of Paula Deen.

Granny B said...

I've said all along...I smell a rat!! In fact, I smell a whole pack of rats!! God Bless Paula and her family...

Unknown said...

I just simply agree, I am praying for Paula daily, I just want the truth to come out and for all of this to be over.

sweetsuzannah said...

Thank you! I don't think of myself as a conspiracy theorist(well at least not since President Kennedy was killed)but this bears thinking about. She IS being bullied and why I too cannot figure out why. It makes no sense that corporations that are making millions off her are dropping her like a hot potato. We still will buy her products, her magazines and watch any show she's on.

A Male Visitor said...

The term I used when this broke was "pilloried" - put on public display for purposes of ridicule and scorn, ostensibly as punishment for some civil or social wrong committed against a person or the community. Then I asked "why?"; certainly not for some inadvertent utterance thirty years past of a term that was still fairly common in use among many areas of the South, and not usually considered derogatory, but rather, descriptive. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since Paula spoke that particular word. The whole thing seemed rather severe, and to be truthful somewhat alarming for some reason I could not put my finger on. Then, I noticed that all of the important national news that had been at the fore of the media coverage for a couple of weeks had simply disappeared - vanished into thin air, not much trace of any of it to be found anywhere; something truly does smell, here. I, for one, will do all that I can to support Paula Deen, and I hope she survives this with enough left of herself and her dignity to at least retire, and enjoy it.

Latane Barton said...

Add me to the long list of totally puzzled people. I am so sick and tired of this HUGE government and this TOTALLY STUPID media empire being so in control of everything. Our country is in serious trouble. And, I am afraid Paula is caught up in the whirlwind of it all.

I pray that Paula keeps her strength, her love, her dignity .... and her money. She deserves it. And, I pray that someone somewhere will expose the bully in this awful case.