‘Hope the backlash is swift and meaningful’
I am angry about the way Paula Deen has been treated. Things we did 20 or 30 years ago are not what we would do today. Bill Clinton, for example, smoked pot, as have many others. He also had sex in the Oval Office.
To affect a person’s livelihood over something like she has been accused of is, at the very least, hateful and cruel. …
Paula Deen is a self-made woman and has done a wonderful job. I won't buy Smithfield, watch the Food Network or buy from QVC. I hope the backlash is swift and meaningful. Every time a person becomes successful, someone decides to "get them," especially in this politically correct world, which is destroying us all. MELANIE STALEY, WASHINGTON TWP.
Deen could be a leader against racism
Paula Deen is missing a valuable opportunity to pay back to society a small part of the debt that is owed to the very society that gave her fame and fortune.
Deen could have chosen to bypass the advice of her public relations team and admitted fully that she was guilty of some of the many societal errors made by the vast majority of Southern culture (and others) in the United States. She could have challenged the culture, as she did recently, saying it’s OK to get off its addiction to fat and sugar. She acknowledged being diabetic and admitted that her choice of diet may have contributed to the progression of her disease.
Racism is also a disease. Who is happy being a racist? Someone needs to lead our society and if she is truly sorry for her participation in the errors of Southern culture, she can be a leader that some people just might follow.
I hope her heart is eventually louder than her corporation. DIANA PARTEE, YELLOW SPRINGS
It’s ridiculous not to renew contracts
Paula Deen was asked in court if she ever used the N-word and she replied honestly, saying that yes, in the past she used the word, but has not used it in years and would not use it now. I find it ridiculous that she would have her contracts non-renewed because of something she said years ago. She has apologized for unintentionally offending anyone.
It is appalling to me that she would lose her livelihood over this, especially since we have had elected officials holding office for years in Congress who had been white supremacists from the South. We have other celebrities who have used offensive language more recently, but are still working. Just look at some of the lyrics of popular music and you will find many vulgar, slanderous words being uttered and the song is considered a chart-topper.
If all of us were to be "judged" by the politically correct police in society on our past utterances or actions, I think none of us would survive unscathed. JULIE FISCHER, TROY
‘Why the double standard on Deen?’
According to the lion’s share of the headlines, Paula Deen is being excoriated for her apologetic admission of saying the N-word many years ago. Not much is said in comparison of the current lawsuit she faces concerning racial slurs in her workplace.
For the slurs 30 years ago? Get real. No one has the right to crucify her for such a thing as she presented it. We all know that virtually every black person has said something racist or some such word derisively at least once in their lives. I don’t care, and no one else does. Why the double standard on Deen?
If Deen turns out to be guilty of current racial slurs at the restaurant of hers, that is another story, but even that needs to be measured with wisdom. I think we all can agree there is a difference between saying a racial slur jokingly and saying one hatefully. We are in a different, touchier age now and racial slurs just aren’t right.
One of my best friends is black and we exchange fun slurs together. That’s fine with us and that’s no one else’s business. People should consider how pure they themselves are before they throw Deen under the PC bus.
I love people of all colors and creeds. I’m a white man married to a lovely black woman. I don’t see the racial issues others are vigilant against. I think that is the issue. The extra-sensitive venomous reaction people have over the N-word does about as much social damage these days as the word itself; walls and barriers are being created that dwarf any segregation law of the past.
Is it just me, or is America the Melting Pot becoming America the Pressure Cooker over the heat of PC racial frenzy? GEORGE NICHOLAS, BEAVERCREEK
Don’t punish Deen for her culture
Of course, Paula Deen used the N-word. She’s an older woman who was raised in the South. I’m her age, but I was raised in the North. We also heard many use the N-word.
To punish her for something that was done by every Southerner in her day is a travesty. The only people "offended" by this information are the white liberals. Like it or not, when Deen was young, that was just part of her culture. Remember, Southern schools were still segregated then. I remember the Woolworth sit-ins, the attempts to integrate schools, Rosa Parks on the bus, etc. Deen lived in the South during those years. Don't punish her for being a normal part of her "then" culture. Celebrate that she has learned, as have all of us, that this is no longer acceptable. PEGGY EVERSOLE, HAMILTON
Hasn’t everyone said something they regret?
Nuts to the Food Network for dumping Paula Deen. Those sanctimonious chickens have lost me as a viewer forever. And I will also ignore the manufacturers who have dumped her.
Look, the woman was honest, admitted her errors of the past and apologized abjectly. What the devil else could she do?
Does anyone in the world believe that any adult has reached maturity without saying something nasty that they regret? Have we told ethnic jokes? Have we smugly sneered at people who are overweight, who are clumsy, and who are slow? And how many of us had to apologize gracefully and publicly for our stupid remarks?… SHARON L. WILSON, BELLBROOK
Not proud of using the N-word
I’m guilty! I’m about the same age as Paula Deen and in my younger days, I used the N-word and I’m not even from the Deep South.
Apparently, Deen regrets using the word, as do I. We’ve moved past that; yet, many in the race industry cannot let this happen. If the entertainment industry is so outraged by the use of the N-word, shouldn’t all those hip-hop artists who use it in their lyrics lose their music contracts? I heard someone say that is different, but isn’t that a prime example of a double standard and isn’t the idea of anti-discrimination to eliminate double standards?
Paula Deen will survive because many of us are in the same position she is in. We're not proud of using the N-word, but we've learned from it and not only do not use it, but don't like to hear it — not even in hip-hop. TIM STUMP, ENGLEWOOD
‘Impulsive decision’ will hurt network
Paula Deen is a Southerner. Her history, upbringing, roots and descendants all are a part of her that cannot be erased. The Food Network has made a gazillion dollars on the syrupy drawl, cute slang, and tasty appeal of Deen. They loved her humble beginnings, her struggles as a single mom, her rags-to-riches back story. I’ve watched enough of the food contest shows to know these are “key” features of what they look for.
Now, she has admitted she used the N-word in the past. She has apologized. …
As a Southerner myself, I hurt for Paula Deen. The Food Network made an impulsive decision, and I think it will hurt them. My husband has asked me to take this channel off of our "favorites" list on the TV remote. I may need a 12-step program to help me. I am addicted, but this just may do it for me. KATHERINE WINGATE, XENIA
Deen fits ‘liberal definitions of racist’
Had Paula Deen been black, lesbian, a Hollywood celebrity, Hispanic or a major Democratic contributor, the Food Network would have accepted her apology, saying she “misspoke.” Her problem? She’s in her 60s, white, from the South and was naively honest. All liberal definitions of racist.
She should have taken lessons in word twisting. Sex isn’t sex, “is” isn’t “is,” etc. Then follow the recent lead of some of America’s so-called leaders when questioned why they (IRS, FBI, White House, etc.) committed criminal acts against American citizens. I can’t recall; I don’t know; I’ll get back to you; I didn’t do it. Then, if that doesn’t persuade the FN to retain her services, use the classic line, as screeched by Hillary Clinton, “Why does it matter?”
The FN executives may not be racist, but just as bad, they're partisan and weaklings. THOMAS SUBLER, DARKE COUNTY
‘Have reacted in a knee-jerk fashion’
I believe that the Food Network and Smithfield Foods have overreacted with regard to Paula Deen’s past use of racial slurs. These actions happened years ago when schools, bathrooms and restaurants were segregated.
Having eaten at Deen’s restaurant in Savannah, Ga., on many occasions, as well as having met her personally, I have seen how she has interacted and treated the African-American employees there. She has changed, as have the times.
Yet, because she was sworn to tell the truth under oath, she admitted her past transgressions. But rather than forgive, the Food Network and Smithfield Foods have reacted in a knee-jerk fashion in the name of political correctness.
I would suggest that those making these decisions examine their consciences and unless they have never disparaged another race or nationality, to get off the band wagon. To err is human, to forgive divine. RANDALL KLOTZ, GERMANTOWN
Sponsors showed no backbone
Something I don’t understand is why some blacks call each other the N-word and no one seems to get excited. However, let a white person use it and they are immediately thrown to the wolves to be sacrificed for political correctness.
Paula Deen readily admitted she had used the word and you would be hard-pressed to find those of that age group and of the Southern experience and elsewhere in this country who have not used it at some point in their life. The sponsors who showed no backbone and have abandoned her will be removed from my list of those to watch and those to buy from. RON STETLER, FAIRFIELD
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