[UPDATED] Food Network Pulls the Plug On Paula Deen + Celebrity Chef Apologizes for Skipping Out On Matt Lauer
For the last two days, it’s been a ‘hot topic’. Allegedly, our beloved Paula Deen is, was or usta be an alleged racist. The quick and dirty is that the 66-year-old and her brother are being sued by a former employee (for racial and sexual discrimination by Lisa Jackson, who worked as a manager of their restaurant. During a deposition in May, Jackson’s lawyer asked Deen, 66, if she’d ever used the N-word. She said she had.) In a deposition for her current lawsuit Paula admits she used the racial slur in the past, but she absolutely would not use it today. In a statement released Thursday afternoon, Paula Deen Enterprises released the following statement, explaining Paula’s racist, yet vintage, words:
During a deposition where she swore to tell the truth, Ms. Deen recounted having used a racial epithet in the past, speaking largely about a time in American history which was quite different than today. [Paula] was born 60 years ago when America’s South had schools that were segregated, different bathrooms, different restaurants and Americans rode in different parts of the bus. This is not today.
The statement continued that she
recounted having used a racial epithet in the past, speaking largely about a time in American history which was quite different than today. To be clear Ms. Deen does not find acceptable the use of this term under any circumstance by anyone nor condone any form of racism or discrimination.
Meanwhile, The Food Network, which broadcasts two popular shows featuring Deen and her Southern cooking, said it was keeping an eye on the flap resulting from her statements that have been widely criticized on social media.
Food Network does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is a strong proponent of diversity and inclusion. We will continue to monitor the situation.
What are your thoughts on Ms. Paula’s rationale for using the n-word? As she pointed out, she did grow up in a part of the country and time period when such words were used frequently, so are we surprised? And can we move on and forgive her? P.S. Will she be the next guest on Oprah’s ‘Next Chapter’?
****UPDATED****
Friday morning, the Food Network announced that it will not renew its contract with Paula. Her contract with the network, which airs three shows featuring the chef, expires at the end of the month, it said. Earlier today, she also backed out of an interview with “Today” on NBC.
She later apologized and begged for forgiveness in a video on YouTube that she pulled and replaced with a self-produced video where she again apologized. Check it out below.
[Reuters, ABC News]
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I don’t believe that for one minute, she said alot of this stuff currently so she can’t hide behind the past. And if Oprah have her on her show she’s crazy because Oprah black so I would assume if she calls black people the “N” word that includes Oprah too. I buy alot of Paula Deen’s products but as of this statement she’s made I won’t buy another damn thing with her name on it. Looking like a hungry hippo.
I really liked Paula Deen but I can’t support this ish. Racism is alive and well. I guess I will just be down w/the Neely’s.
I am still a proud supporter of a southern woman that struggled being a single mother, rags to riches basically! How many out there criticizing her have EVER walked the straight and narrow? Have NEVER in their entire life said something they shouldn’t? ALL races, black, white, Asian, Mexican….If we cannot move on from the past where does that leave our future? She apologized for what she said in the PAST. What more? And as far as the ex-employee, Lisa Jackson, she is just wanting money because she is too lazy to work. She see dollar signs. I will support Paula to the end. Nobody is perfect and at least she had the guts to tell the truth which is WAY more than what a whole bunch of others would NOT do.
How can you be so stupid? Lisa Jackson is not lazy she was the manager at the restaurant. If someone was calling you a NIGGER daily and disrespecting you sexually I guess you would just be a good NIGGER and take it because YOU want the money and the dollar signs. Not me and surely not Lisa Jackson. Lisa did right and sued. It cost big bucks for lawyers to sue Paula Dean and her company. Paula’s rags to riches story is a great one, but this issue is not about that. True most people would have lied and said no I did not say that and I give her points for being honest but that’s it. Also true is the fact the south has been extremely racist for decades and that’s what she knew growing up. Fast forward today and minorities have RIGHTS!!!! I used to buy her products and watch the shows but that’s over now. The past is the past but knowing she said these comments back then and now new complaints come up about the same issue??? Lisa Jackson most likely lost a lot fighting this case mainly her source of income. Last thing look at the first apology video Paula’s legal team MADE her do. It was terrible filled with edits and dead air. It was so bad and so clear she was being forced with no realness.Paula had to redo another video trying to be more personal. That was it for me. When you apologize it is suppose to come from the heart not a script your publicist wrote. So glade the Food Network dropped her. I guess Paula’s pot roast finally burnt up.
I agree somewhat. I have never been a PD fan but I give her credit for being honest. Im African/Irish and was always called n… growing up. One of my closest friends had called me that in the past as a child. People were different back then and thats all some knew. I would bet that most people here over 55 years old have used the N word somewhere in their past. It was quite common. Whether PA has used it recently I dont know but as for the past, oh well, moving on. I dont think she is racist at all and I have seen alot in my life. She has evolved through her life just like most people do. Im very surprised how aggressive people have been torwards her. I guess she is the only person that has said something she regrets? Wow look at all the everyone who felt gay people didnt deserve basic rights in the last 10 years. Now that many of these people have had a change of heart should we go back in the archives and still hold them accountable for theie old views. I respect people who change their lives for the better. We should wait for all the facts before criticizing
others. This mesg might need proofed as Im on phone… :)
Ohhhh Paula ummm ummm She finally got caught. And in sure when her and family sits around they say it. I’m done with her and her lil pots and pans.Not supporting racism
I always knew one day she would make a big mistake like this, It is embarrassment to Southern people to be represented this way
I have to say, I am really disappointed. Not shocked though, considering where she lives (deep south) and the times she grew up in. I can appreciate her honesty in her admission BUT the fact that she said these things NOT THAT LONG AGO says a lot and that’s what got me. So she really can’t blame it on “back when or back in the day”. Also it’s not just the word, it’s the context in which she said it. Kinda tells me that she really feels that way because if you’re not racist, you wouldn’t joke like that. I’ve HEARD that Lisa Jackson is white or mixed, although I haven’t been able to verify that for sure (Jasmine?) but if that is the case, it would make sense as to why Paula felt so comfortable saying the things she did in front of this woman. You know when its just them around, they tend to feel more comfortable in letting things flow out of their mouths. So we’ll see how this plays out…she has lost my support and I’m glad that I didn’t invest in PD cookware! I don’t do phony, especially when putting black people on her show for personal or monetary gain. Fake out public perception that she is a all around cool person who just loves ‘everybody’… hmmmn.
Will you all let it go! So she said Niggah, Nigga, Nigger. We say it all the time. I certainly do not say “the N-word” what the hell is that? As if no one know that you mean Niggah. The “N-Word” really? Hell if I want to say peckawood, redneck, hoodrhat, ghettomite, trailer-trash or any other word that I choose to use, I will. Y’all are giving this way too much attention and power. Hell, a lot of niggahs I don’t like being around and nor does Oprah or Obama. I’ve never seen either of them on Lakewood Avenue in Georgia or at the old 559 club, so they don’t like being around niggahs either…okay. Hey O and O, how about doing a show from my neck of the woods (well my family cause I don’t live in the hood) and bring Paula too. But Paula need to bring some chicken and Red Velvet Cake. In the words of Doc Holiday (Val Kilmer), “I’m your huckleberry…niggah”