June 28, 2013
Did Paula Deen Get Her Just Desserts?
By now, most everyone in the Western Hemisphere must be at least somewhat acquainted with the circus around Paula Deen. The celebrity chef recently admitted in a legal deposition that she had used the "n-word" many years ago and more recently tolerated racial jokes being told in the workplace. The response was fast and furious. While family, friends and many fans came out to support Ms. Deen, business partners, including Caesars Entertainment, Food Network, Home Depot, Target and Walmart, have chosen to end their business relationships with her.
The incident makes it clear that those who suggest racism is something our nation has left in the past are either in denial or haven’t been paying attention. You don’t have to go any further than YouTube for recent evidence. Earlier this month, General Mills chose to shut down the comment section for its new Cheerios commercial featuring a biracial family because of racist comments.
But there are many who know Ms. Deen arguing loudly that she is not a racist. Even some who think there should be consequences for her past use of racial epitaphs admit she’s probably more enlightened today than she was 30 years ago.
So, what were her business sponsors to do? Some, as stated previously, chose to end their association while others have stuck with her. Ms. Deen’s representatives made public letters of support from companies who remain committed to doing business with her, including Tasty Blends Foods, Springer Mountain Farms, Epicurean Butter and Club Marketing Services.
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Discussion Questions
Where do you stand on the Paula Deen case? Do you agree with those companies that have cut ties with the celebrity chef or those that are sticking by her?
Poll
I really hope people don’t hold me so responsible for things I said 30 years ago. I suppose it makes for great theater, but it’s ridiculous. In the same week the voting rights act gets gutted, we prove just how “zero tolerance” we are by eviscerating someone that said something when she was in her 20s.
Ridiculous.
Whether or not Paula Deen is intolerant in her heart is not something that the outside world can determine. It does seem apparent that she turned a blind eye toward bad behavior in the workplace. It’s hard for her key business partners to ignore the issue.
The bigger issue is the mismanagement of the Paula Deen brand, going back at least to the non-appearance on the Today Show last week. Her eventual “mea culpa” was really a statement about her own victimhood rather than a clear apology, and it only served to speed the process of losing endorsements. I’m sure a PR professional weighing in on the topic would have advised her to be as apologetic as possible—as fast as possible—instead of displaying crocodile tears.
In this new age of political correctness, those companies that severed ties with Paul Deen really had no choice. However, public support for Paula Deen has actually been quite the opposite. Her book and other products’ sales seem to be booming, as those who are inclined to like her and her cooking apparently think her mea culpa was sufficient.
On the business side of things, Ms. Deen did not handle the situation well. Her apologies seemed to be ill timed and a bit staged. She has since hired a public relations guru to help her find her way back to both personal and business good standing.
If past serves as prologue, time and future discretion will heal the wounds and new opportunities will be afforded her. If you don’t think so, check the recent polls for the upcoming race for Mayor of New York City and see who’s leading!
I agree with both the companies that have distanced themselves with her and those who stand by her. It’s their choice. Since I’ve never heard her actually say the things she is accused of, I can’t pass judgment. I recall being in Savannah, Georgia on vacation and wanting to eat in her restaurant. But the wait was endless. Maybe now it won’t be. I got a feeling Paula won’t get the same free speech support Chick-fil-A got, but I think she will still retain some loyal fans and customers.
I’ll forgive her because I like to think I can forgive anyone. When it comes to “good eat’n” consumers can be very forgiving. Cracker Barrel is a good example. Most likely the people offended are not her customer base. Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to the fine line between culture, tradition, and discrimination. Seems those southern-based restaurants like Chick-fil-A, Hooters, Cracker Barrel, and Paula Deen all push things right to the edge now and then. In the end, the theory that all press is good press will come true.
Paula Dean needed a good crisis PR team. The way she handled the brouhaha caused more damage than the allegations. Her’s is a textbook case of what not to do. As a result, she lost her show and significant endorsements.
Any time one racial group is targeted, it is raw racism in its most virulent form. Crucifying someone of one race for something that another race is given a pass on falls into this realm.
As far as businesses are concerned, they should make their own BUSINESS judgments and the market will respond—or NOT. Do note that book buyers have responded with whole-hearted support for Paula Deen, pushing two of her books into the top ten books, and one of them is #1!!!
I stand on the side that unfortunately, in this day and age people in the public eye have to bury all skeletons, say the correct thing and never let their guard down in public or private. This is a byproduct of the media and information age that we live in and only Derek Jeter seems to be able to juggle it all!
Paula Deen, like most of us, is far from perfect, but this latest situation piled on top of the diabetes episode she mishandled shows that you can get a second chance—don’t screw it up! I agree with the companies that are sticking with her, but I understand why others have cut her loose.
This is beyond a stupid, cowardly, poorly-thought-out overreaction. Thirty (30) years ago—three decades—someone says a word that at the time was used freely in comedy sketches on TV and it NOW it comes back to haunt her? Over those 30 years other food companies have continued to ruin our food supply while others have ruined our soil, water and air; banks have duped billions of dollars out of ordinary people; we’ve experienced untold government waste; have had more sexual scandals than you can count from religious, political and business leaders; many corporate and wall street executives have participated in criminal greed with few being punished; far too many people are fat and unhealthy; millions in this country don’t have food to eat; we’ve killed more people and have had more violence than any other nation on the planet…but we decide to hang the cook. I’m sorry but I just don’t get it.
If I were to be held up to judgement for all the totally dumb things I’ve done and said over the last 30 years I’d be pleading for a life sentence.
Like I say the inappropriateness of her 30 year old comment is eclipsed by the inappropriateness of the holier-than-thou overreaction we’re seeing.
All that said, If Deen had uttered that now ugly and totally inappropriate word last week…she’d deserve all that is happening to her.
Not mentioned: Paula Deen’s ratings on the Food Network were declining sharply. Her contract was not going to be renewed at anywhere near its existing levels, if at all.
Without exposure, companies who were tied to her were about to take a haircut in value.
The lady likely has moved ahead in her views of race and ethnicity. But for those who wish to point fingers on issues like this, point to the individual, not the “nation.” Paula Deen is living with the results of her poor judgment, a likely income loss of up to $10 million per year, and a question mark on her character.
Lessons learned for all of us.
It’s completely up to the brands whether or not to keep ties with Paula Deen, and they all have their independent reasons, I’m sure. It is interesting to watch, but I don’t have a judgment to make, as no one really should. I don’t agree with David Livingston that the people she offended are not in her customer base. As a “Southern” chef, I can’t image this incident not having an effect on southerners.
That’s really the inherent downside of using celebrities to endorse products. Sales are dependent on the celebrity’s public persona/reputation and become a direct extension of the company. My wife and I love Paula Deen and still believe she is a great lady.
At least now we know why she was hit with a ham.
#Karma
Political correctness gone wild.
I am sure that somewhere in everyone’s past they have said or done something that in the light of the world we live in today would not look so great. The world has changed and will continue to change, and those changes will impact all of us in how we think and act.
What was unacceptable to some or all will then be acceptable and vice versa. This is illustrated by the recent series of decisions issued by the Supreme Court.
That being said, the businesses that were affiliated with her have the right to make any decision they want.
I stand for equality which means that everyone must be held to the same standard.
I actually have no problem with someone being booted for a comment they made 30 years ago as long as … as Ian hints … everyone is held to the same standard.
If Food Network deposed every potential host asking them if they had ever—in any context, including a “joke”—used language that was racist, misogynous, deprecating to a religious or national group and/or sexual orientation and then made their hiring decisions accordingly, I’m fine with that.
Anything less than that is, on its face, unfair.
Where do we draw the line on hate speech?
One assumes Ice T, for example, has used the “N word” in speech or lyrics, but that doesn’t seem to phase NBC. Oh … wait … there is that theory that a group can’t discriminate against itself and is therefore entitled to “own” hate language. So … in the case of Ice T … how about the “Cop Killer” lyrics? Do they constitute hate speech?
Prejudice is the belief that people are different—and generally inferior—based on the color of their skin. Racism is the desire to believe that they are different.
There is some hope that prejudices can be corrected through experience, communication and education, but racism is another thing altogether.
Was the Paula Dean of 30 years ago prejudiced? Did she believe Africa-Americans were somehow “different””? Only she knows.
Is the Paula Dean of today a racist? Does she “blindly desire” to believe that African-Americans are different? Again, probably only she knows, but it seems unlikely.
Those who have noted that sponsors err on the side of political correctness are correct, and that’s their right. But I would hope those same companies would put every endorsement and working agreement to the same test.
Ian Has suggested that most of us would be unhappy if we had to defend everything we said 30—or perhaps even 20—years ago. He teases at the real point.
Are we a society that believes in personal and collective growth? Do we acknowledge that people can—and do—change for the better and if they do change, do we ignore that change and hold them stuck forever to wherever it is they started?
Because if the last answer to that is yes we have real trouble.
The issue of racism is perhaps the most divisive question facing our nation. We can keep ducking it and trying to address it through exception “management”
but it’s not going to go away.
Paula Dean is the canary in the cage of American racism. It’s past time we ventilated the mine.
How fickle we can be at times when it comes to judging others. Who has not said something years ago or even recently we would like to take back? Those who have chosen to sit in judgement of Mrs. Deen (incidentally I have not been a fan or follower of her) need to check their closets for skeletons before commenting.
How come so many hip-hop performers get endorsement money? Must be THEIR freedom of speech. And I have to disagree with Dr. Sorensen in that listening to a few racist/ethnic jokes and perhaps even an ethnic/racial term that offends some people is not virulent racism Virulent racism is lynching, legislated segregation, Japanese resettlement camps. Is someone who calls a police van a “paddy wagon” virulently anti-Irish?
That said, businesses have to make cold decisions and if those lead to distancing themselves from an unpopular endorser/spokesperson that’s a marketplace decision. It’s not exactly like sticking with a friend who got himself or herself into a jam. If I were a manufacturer with Paula Deen as a spokeswoman, my decision would be based on a careful weighing of the pluses and minuses of retaining her. Contrast the Paula Deen situation with that of Aaron Hernandez who is at least legally innocent till proven guilty.
People are being mislead. It is more than what she said 30 years ago that goes to the heart of her mind set! Look at her deposition and people around her, what they have witnessed. She has racial overtones to her personality. Hopefully she has changed…you are what you are.
If I am a CEO, I cut ties with Paula Deen as fast as possible. The racist issue on top of the diabetes issue suggests a huge flaw of character.
Is she a racist? If I didn’t believe it before, the meandering and insincerity of her apologies and explanations, “we treat blacks like family,” convinced me that she is.
Is it okay? Of course, this is a country of free speech. She can say whatever she wants. Because of this incident people will avoid anything with her name on it. But also, because of these incidents people will gravitate to her because they like what she says.
Frankly, I consider the hiding of the diabetes while continuing to promote diabetes inducing recipes is a much bigger “crime.”
30 years ago wasn’t the 1950s and 1960s when segregation and intolerance were “the good ol’ days in the South.” It was the mid-80s! Does that seem so long ago that it must have been okay? No, it wasn’t. Even more disturbing is the whole older-black-men-as-servants wedding idea. Was she serious? Everyone is equal … oh, but wouldn’t some look cute serving us white plantation owner-types? Whether in jest or as a serious idea, I find that more telling about her racial attitudes than anything.
Frankly, I’m surprised at retailers like Target who haven’t broken ties already. Her deposition excerpts regarding workplace harassment—not 30 years ago—are pretty damning as she tries to justify what she said. If you haven’t read, it might change your mind about poor ol’ Paula. And I was a fan. If you cut her some slack on that oh-so-old comment, hold her accountable for how she has justified it since. The proof is in the pudding … banana pudding, it being the South and all, y’all.
Who in the world advised Ms. Deen to issue those murky videos? It seems she thought “speaking from the heart” would work regardless of the content and lack of preparation. As called out in previous posts, this was what started the negative momentum that has since made her radioactive (additional termination announcements are hitting as I type this). Now, any brand that sticks with her will be positioned as a glaring exception and the burden of explanation shifts accordingly.
Her deposition made her seem vaguely racist but culturally clueless more than anything. I think the peanut gallery retained the memory of her break on the” diabetes drug endorsement kerfuffle. This feels very two-strikes-you’re-out and borderline vindictive.
For someone who has such a folksy presence in media as Ms. Deen, she possesses a high degree of ignorance and ‘Po’ me’ attitude that isn’t the least bit flattering. The fact that she doesn’t know any better simply doesn’t serve as a valid excuse anymore. Her stardom has been interspersed with such missteps, from this current gaffe, to touting double cheeseburgers sandwiched between double glazed donuts, in the face of a health crisis.
When you’re a celebrity chef (regardless of her questionable cooking skills), and actively hawk your wares and style, you are going to come under the microscope. In this age of PC and raised eyebrows, those corporate sponsors who eschewed Ms. Deen were probably correct to do so and those who stuck by her were probably equally justified.
As for the rest of the public who has some strange adoration for her, it’s probably a combination of her down home charm and new down-trodden self image of the besieged underdog that has its appeal to her devout followers.
Poor Paula Deen. She grew up in the habitually bigoted South of the 1950s, where n-bombs were uttered both with and without rancor at dinner tables nightly. I can accept her claim that she harbors no conscious racism, but her ingrained attitudes, reflexes and self-ignorance betrayed her. Today’s megawatt media glare offers no place to hide, and we are witness to a breathtaking career meltdown.
The irony is pretty thick here. She gave an honest answer about her regrettable past behavior in a legal deposition. As citizens we are required to be truthful in such situations, but as a public figure, she was met with consequences that most private citizens would not face.
Unfortunately for her, Ms. Deen seemed to be unaware that her attitudes about race are out of touch. So when called to publicly defend her past actions (fairly or unfairly doesn’t matter), she seems to think that apologizing and declaring her benign feelings would be sufficient.
Too late she discovers that absence of hateful intent does not equal absence of prejudice. Here we have a teachable moment that is being almost entirely passed over in the media coverage.
Instead we witness her ego-loss in full public view, earning a last spectacular ratings spike before she fades into oblivion.
Then we gleefully account the desertion of Ms. Deen’s sponsors and her abrupt dismissal by the Food Network. Let’s face facts: Those decisions were cowardly and opportunistic; but those are two traits we already associate with the television and advertising industries.
Why should they invest in Paula Deen’s rehabilitation, when there is a long line of TV chef wannabees waiting to feed the public craving?
I’ve never been a Paul Deen fan—for any number of reasons—and nothing I’ve seen or heard recently would make me want change my mind. However, those who feel Miss Paula is being judged for some isolated remark made 30 years ago are misinformed: she is being judged over a deposition for a trial about ongoing behavior. But no matter: as everyone here has noted, businesses choose endorsements because they feel it benefits them, and they drop them—and should feel free to do so—for the same reason…they’re not meant to be a morals court judging the behaviors of either the accused or the “jury” (consumers). And once again I disagree with the “all press is good press” idea…go ask the New England Patriots right now.
Add Kmart, Sears and Walgreens to the companies that have now announced they will phase out the sale of Paula Deen products.
I have never paid much attention to Paula Deen or thought much of her nor about her. When I first saw her on TV years ago I had a strong feeling I was looking at someone who would say anything to her audience to promote herself and her products. I was surprised by her promotion of recipes which were time bombs for health and would likely lead to heart problems and diabetes.
When it came out that she had been diagnosed with diabetes and hid the fact to sell more questionable foods and recipes, I simply felt this confirmed my initial impression. When it turned out that she had endorsed a drug for diabetes once her affliction was public, I felt that my initial take had underestimated her.
What has surprised me on top of all this is the number and variety of enterprises she has managed to land. She is a cash cow.
Her handling of this latest scandal, seeing herself as the victim just completes the picture. If she wants to have a close up view of the victim, I suggest she smile her smile at the nearest mirror.
An amazing and poorly handled situation. As focused as she seems to be on herself and her brand, one would think she’d have already had a strong PR team around her to navigate the various potentially damaging side effects of her brand. She did not. Anyone that self-focused is going to trip. And trip she did. Badly.
Her fans will certainly forgive her and I think she will continue to do well—just not as well as she could have.
In a recent study, it was shown that consumers trust companies (or individuals) who have identified and come clean with past bad behavior, believing in fact no one is perfect and anyone who says they are is hiding something. I am hopeful this is the same case here. Are those companies who abandon Ms. Deen saying that they have never spoken out for something that was ethically or morally wrong? How does the black community feel? Has Ms.Deen changed since she spoke out?
I am surprised by the Food Network and now what seems to be domino effect of retailers following suit. There is a double standard being practiced by some of the retailers that are currently profiting from merchandise sales that contain racial slurs and epithets. Food Network has tolerated some fairly unpopular problems with their celebrity chefs. It makes a person wonder what is really going on with this situation.
I applaud the companies that are “sticking by her” and believe that in the end, Ms. Deen will prevail with a strong consumer contingent supporting her. A sour taste will be left in those same consumer’s mouths for the companies that abandoned her.
It will be interesting to see if the companies “that have cut ties” want her and her products back at a lower price down the road.
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I really hope people don’t hold me so responsible for things I said 30 years ago. I suppose it makes for great theater, but it’s ridiculous. In the same week the voting rights act gets gutted, we prove just how “zero tolerance” we are by eviscerating someone that said something when she was in her 20s.
Ridiculous.
Whether or not Paula Deen is intolerant in her heart is not something that the outside world can determine. It does seem apparent that she turned a blind eye toward bad behavior in the workplace. It’s hard for her key business partners to ignore the issue.
The bigger issue is the mismanagement of the Paula Deen brand, going back at least to the non-appearance on the Today Show last week. Her eventual “mea culpa” was really a statement about her own victimhood rather than a clear apology, and it only served to speed the process of losing endorsements. I’m sure a PR professional weighing in on the topic would have advised her to be as apologetic as possible—as fast as possible—instead of displaying crocodile tears.
In this new age of political correctness, those companies that severed ties with Paul Deen really had no choice. However, public support for Paula Deen has actually been quite the opposite. Her book and other products’ sales seem to be booming, as those who are inclined to like her and her cooking apparently think her mea culpa was sufficient.
On the business side of things, Ms. Deen did not handle the situation well. Her apologies seemed to be ill timed and a bit staged. She has since hired a public relations guru to help her find her way back to both personal and business good standing.
If past serves as prologue, time and future discretion will heal the wounds and new opportunities will be afforded her. If you don’t think so, check the recent polls for the upcoming race for Mayor of New York City and see who’s leading!
I agree with both the companies that have distanced themselves with her and those who stand by her. It’s their choice. Since I’ve never heard her actually say the things she is accused of, I can’t pass judgment. I recall being in Savannah, Georgia on vacation and wanting to eat in her restaurant. But the wait was endless. Maybe now it won’t be. I got a feeling Paula won’t get the same free speech support Chick-fil-A got, but I think she will still retain some loyal fans and customers.
I’ll forgive her because I like to think I can forgive anyone. When it comes to “good eat’n” consumers can be very forgiving. Cracker Barrel is a good example. Most likely the people offended are not her customer base. Not everyone is on the same page when it comes to the fine line between culture, tradition, and discrimination. Seems those southern-based restaurants like Chick-fil-A, Hooters, Cracker Barrel, and Paula Deen all push things right to the edge now and then. In the end, the theory that all press is good press will come true.
Paula Dean needed a good crisis PR team. The way she handled the brouhaha caused more damage than the allegations. Her’s is a textbook case of what not to do. As a result, she lost her show and significant endorsements.
Any time one racial group is targeted, it is raw racism in its most virulent form. Crucifying someone of one race for something that another race is given a pass on falls into this realm.
As far as businesses are concerned, they should make their own BUSINESS judgments and the market will respond—or NOT. Do note that book buyers have responded with whole-hearted support for Paula Deen, pushing two of her books into the top ten books, and one of them is #1!!!
I stand on the side that unfortunately, in this day and age people in the public eye have to bury all skeletons, say the correct thing and never let their guard down in public or private. This is a byproduct of the media and information age that we live in and only Derek Jeter seems to be able to juggle it all!
Paula Deen, like most of us, is far from perfect, but this latest situation piled on top of the diabetes episode she mishandled shows that you can get a second chance—don’t screw it up! I agree with the companies that are sticking with her, but I understand why others have cut her loose.
This is beyond a stupid, cowardly, poorly-thought-out overreaction. Thirty (30) years ago—three decades—someone says a word that at the time was used freely in comedy sketches on TV and it NOW it comes back to haunt her? Over those 30 years other food companies have continued to ruin our food supply while others have ruined our soil, water and air; banks have duped billions of dollars out of ordinary people; we’ve experienced untold government waste; have had more sexual scandals than you can count from religious, political and business leaders; many corporate and wall street executives have participated in criminal greed with few being punished; far too many people are fat and unhealthy; millions in this country don’t have food to eat; we’ve killed more people and have had more violence than any other nation on the planet…but we decide to hang the cook. I’m sorry but I just don’t get it.
If I were to be held up to judgement for all the totally dumb things I’ve done and said over the last 30 years I’d be pleading for a life sentence.
Like I say the inappropriateness of her 30 year old comment is eclipsed by the inappropriateness of the holier-than-thou overreaction we’re seeing.
All that said, If Deen had uttered that now ugly and totally inappropriate word last week…she’d deserve all that is happening to her.
Not mentioned: Paula Deen’s ratings on the Food Network were declining sharply. Her contract was not going to be renewed at anywhere near its existing levels, if at all.
Without exposure, companies who were tied to her were about to take a haircut in value.
The lady likely has moved ahead in her views of race and ethnicity. But for those who wish to point fingers on issues like this, point to the individual, not the “nation.” Paula Deen is living with the results of her poor judgment, a likely income loss of up to $10 million per year, and a question mark on her character.
Lessons learned for all of us.
It’s completely up to the brands whether or not to keep ties with Paula Deen, and they all have their independent reasons, I’m sure. It is interesting to watch, but I don’t have a judgment to make, as no one really should. I don’t agree with David Livingston that the people she offended are not in her customer base. As a “Southern” chef, I can’t image this incident not having an effect on southerners.
That’s really the inherent downside of using celebrities to endorse products. Sales are dependent on the celebrity’s public persona/reputation and become a direct extension of the company. My wife and I love Paula Deen and still believe she is a great lady.
At least now we know why she was hit with a ham.
#Karma
Political correctness gone wild.
I am sure that somewhere in everyone’s past they have said or done something that in the light of the world we live in today would not look so great. The world has changed and will continue to change, and those changes will impact all of us in how we think and act.
What was unacceptable to some or all will then be acceptable and vice versa. This is illustrated by the recent series of decisions issued by the Supreme Court.
That being said, the businesses that were affiliated with her have the right to make any decision they want.
I stand for equality which means that everyone must be held to the same standard.
I actually have no problem with someone being booted for a comment they made 30 years ago as long as … as Ian hints … everyone is held to the same standard.
If Food Network deposed every potential host asking them if they had ever—in any context, including a “joke”—used language that was racist, misogynous, deprecating to a religious or national group and/or sexual orientation and then made their hiring decisions accordingly, I’m fine with that.
Anything less than that is, on its face, unfair.
Where do we draw the line on hate speech?
One assumes Ice T, for example, has used the “N word” in speech or lyrics, but that doesn’t seem to phase NBC. Oh … wait … there is that theory that a group can’t discriminate against itself and is therefore entitled to “own” hate language. So … in the case of Ice T … how about the “Cop Killer” lyrics? Do they constitute hate speech?
Prejudice is the belief that people are different—and generally inferior—based on the color of their skin. Racism is the desire to believe that they are different.
There is some hope that prejudices can be corrected through experience, communication and education, but racism is another thing altogether.
Was the Paula Dean of 30 years ago prejudiced? Did she believe Africa-Americans were somehow “different””? Only she knows.
Is the Paula Dean of today a racist? Does she “blindly desire” to believe that African-Americans are different? Again, probably only she knows, but it seems unlikely.
Those who have noted that sponsors err on the side of political correctness are correct, and that’s their right. But I would hope those same companies would put every endorsement and working agreement to the same test.
Ian Has suggested that most of us would be unhappy if we had to defend everything we said 30—or perhaps even 20—years ago. He teases at the real point.
Are we a society that believes in personal and collective growth? Do we acknowledge that people can—and do—change for the better and if they do change, do we ignore that change and hold them stuck forever to wherever it is they started?
Because if the last answer to that is yes we have real trouble.
The issue of racism is perhaps the most divisive question facing our nation. We can keep ducking it and trying to address it through exception “management”
but it’s not going to go away.
Paula Dean is the canary in the cage of American racism. It’s past time we ventilated the mine.
How fickle we can be at times when it comes to judging others. Who has not said something years ago or even recently we would like to take back? Those who have chosen to sit in judgement of Mrs. Deen (incidentally I have not been a fan or follower of her) need to check their closets for skeletons before commenting.
How come so many hip-hop performers get endorsement money? Must be THEIR freedom of speech. And I have to disagree with Dr. Sorensen in that listening to a few racist/ethnic jokes and perhaps even an ethnic/racial term that offends some people is not virulent racism Virulent racism is lynching, legislated segregation, Japanese resettlement camps. Is someone who calls a police van a “paddy wagon” virulently anti-Irish?
That said, businesses have to make cold decisions and if those lead to distancing themselves from an unpopular endorser/spokesperson that’s a marketplace decision. It’s not exactly like sticking with a friend who got himself or herself into a jam. If I were a manufacturer with Paula Deen as a spokeswoman, my decision would be based on a careful weighing of the pluses and minuses of retaining her. Contrast the Paula Deen situation with that of Aaron Hernandez who is at least legally innocent till proven guilty.
People are being mislead. It is more than what she said 30 years ago that goes to the heart of her mind set! Look at her deposition and people around her, what they have witnessed. She has racial overtones to her personality. Hopefully she has changed…you are what you are.
If I am a CEO, I cut ties with Paula Deen as fast as possible. The racist issue on top of the diabetes issue suggests a huge flaw of character.
Is she a racist? If I didn’t believe it before, the meandering and insincerity of her apologies and explanations, “we treat blacks like family,” convinced me that she is.
Is it okay? Of course, this is a country of free speech. She can say whatever she wants. Because of this incident people will avoid anything with her name on it. But also, because of these incidents people will gravitate to her because they like what she says.
Frankly, I consider the hiding of the diabetes while continuing to promote diabetes inducing recipes is a much bigger “crime.”
30 years ago wasn’t the 1950s and 1960s when segregation and intolerance were “the good ol’ days in the South.” It was the mid-80s! Does that seem so long ago that it must have been okay? No, it wasn’t. Even more disturbing is the whole older-black-men-as-servants wedding idea. Was she serious? Everyone is equal … oh, but wouldn’t some look cute serving us white plantation owner-types? Whether in jest or as a serious idea, I find that more telling about her racial attitudes than anything.
Frankly, I’m surprised at retailers like Target who haven’t broken ties already. Her deposition excerpts regarding workplace harassment—not 30 years ago—are pretty damning as she tries to justify what she said. If you haven’t read, it might change your mind about poor ol’ Paula. And I was a fan. If you cut her some slack on that oh-so-old comment, hold her accountable for how she has justified it since. The proof is in the pudding … banana pudding, it being the South and all, y’all.
Who in the world advised Ms. Deen to issue those murky videos? It seems she thought “speaking from the heart” would work regardless of the content and lack of preparation. As called out in previous posts, this was what started the negative momentum that has since made her radioactive (additional termination announcements are hitting as I type this). Now, any brand that sticks with her will be positioned as a glaring exception and the burden of explanation shifts accordingly.
Her deposition made her seem vaguely racist but culturally clueless more than anything. I think the peanut gallery retained the memory of her break on the” diabetes drug endorsement kerfuffle. This feels very two-strikes-you’re-out and borderline vindictive.
For someone who has such a folksy presence in media as Ms. Deen, she possesses a high degree of ignorance and ‘Po’ me’ attitude that isn’t the least bit flattering. The fact that she doesn’t know any better simply doesn’t serve as a valid excuse anymore. Her stardom has been interspersed with such missteps, from this current gaffe, to touting double cheeseburgers sandwiched between double glazed donuts, in the face of a health crisis.
When you’re a celebrity chef (regardless of her questionable cooking skills), and actively hawk your wares and style, you are going to come under the microscope. In this age of PC and raised eyebrows, those corporate sponsors who eschewed Ms. Deen were probably correct to do so and those who stuck by her were probably equally justified.
As for the rest of the public who has some strange adoration for her, it’s probably a combination of her down home charm and new down-trodden self image of the besieged underdog that has its appeal to her devout followers.
Poor Paula Deen. She grew up in the habitually bigoted South of the 1950s, where n-bombs were uttered both with and without rancor at dinner tables nightly. I can accept her claim that she harbors no conscious racism, but her ingrained attitudes, reflexes and self-ignorance betrayed her. Today’s megawatt media glare offers no place to hide, and we are witness to a breathtaking career meltdown.
The irony is pretty thick here. She gave an honest answer about her regrettable past behavior in a legal deposition. As citizens we are required to be truthful in such situations, but as a public figure, she was met with consequences that most private citizens would not face.
Unfortunately for her, Ms. Deen seemed to be unaware that her attitudes about race are out of touch. So when called to publicly defend her past actions (fairly or unfairly doesn’t matter), she seems to think that apologizing and declaring her benign feelings would be sufficient.
Too late she discovers that absence of hateful intent does not equal absence of prejudice. Here we have a teachable moment that is being almost entirely passed over in the media coverage.
Instead we witness her ego-loss in full public view, earning a last spectacular ratings spike before she fades into oblivion.
Then we gleefully account the desertion of Ms. Deen’s sponsors and her abrupt dismissal by the Food Network. Let’s face facts: Those decisions were cowardly and opportunistic; but those are two traits we already associate with the television and advertising industries.
Why should they invest in Paula Deen’s rehabilitation, when there is a long line of TV chef wannabees waiting to feed the public craving?
I’ve never been a Paul Deen fan—for any number of reasons—and nothing I’ve seen or heard recently would make me want change my mind. However, those who feel Miss Paula is being judged for some isolated remark made 30 years ago are misinformed: she is being judged over a deposition for a trial about ongoing behavior. But no matter: as everyone here has noted, businesses choose endorsements because they feel it benefits them, and they drop them—and should feel free to do so—for the same reason…they’re not meant to be a morals court judging the behaviors of either the accused or the “jury” (consumers). And once again I disagree with the “all press is good press” idea…go ask the New England Patriots right now.
Add Kmart, Sears and Walgreens to the companies that have now announced they will phase out the sale of Paula Deen products.
I have never paid much attention to Paula Deen or thought much of her nor about her. When I first saw her on TV years ago I had a strong feeling I was looking at someone who would say anything to her audience to promote herself and her products. I was surprised by her promotion of recipes which were time bombs for health and would likely lead to heart problems and diabetes.
When it came out that she had been diagnosed with diabetes and hid the fact to sell more questionable foods and recipes, I simply felt this confirmed my initial impression. When it turned out that she had endorsed a drug for diabetes once her affliction was public, I felt that my initial take had underestimated her.
What has surprised me on top of all this is the number and variety of enterprises she has managed to land. She is a cash cow.
Her handling of this latest scandal, seeing herself as the victim just completes the picture. If she wants to have a close up view of the victim, I suggest she smile her smile at the nearest mirror.
An amazing and poorly handled situation. As focused as she seems to be on herself and her brand, one would think she’d have already had a strong PR team around her to navigate the various potentially damaging side effects of her brand. She did not. Anyone that self-focused is going to trip. And trip she did. Badly.
Her fans will certainly forgive her and I think she will continue to do well—just not as well as she could have.
In a recent study, it was shown that consumers trust companies (or individuals) who have identified and come clean with past bad behavior, believing in fact no one is perfect and anyone who says they are is hiding something. I am hopeful this is the same case here. Are those companies who abandon Ms. Deen saying that they have never spoken out for something that was ethically or morally wrong? How does the black community feel? Has Ms.Deen changed since she spoke out?
I am surprised by the Food Network and now what seems to be domino effect of retailers following suit. There is a double standard being practiced by some of the retailers that are currently profiting from merchandise sales that contain racial slurs and epithets. Food Network has tolerated some fairly unpopular problems with their celebrity chefs. It makes a person wonder what is really going on with this situation.
I applaud the companies that are “sticking by her” and believe that in the end, Ms. Deen will prevail with a strong consumer contingent supporting her. A sour taste will be left in those same consumer’s mouths for the companies that abandoned her.
It will be interesting to see if the companies “that have cut ties” want her and her products back at a lower price down the road.