Paula Deen’s use of racial slurs is indefensible. The TV chef has issued a 46-second apology on YouTube on Friday, June 21.
“I want to apologize for everybody for the wrong that I’ve done,” Deen says in the video statement. “Inappropriate hurtful language is totally, totally unacceptable.”
Deen and her brother Bubba Hiers, are being sued by a former employee, Lisa Jackson, for $1.2 million on the grounds of sexually harassment, including offensive language used in the Deen’s restaurant. Deen admitted in a deposition that she had used the “N” word and told racist jokes.
The apology is no doubt a PR strategy to save the tarnished Paula Deen brand which includes eponymous TV shows on Food Network: “Paula’s Best Dishes” and “Paula’s Home Cooking;” serving as a spokeswoman for Novo Nordisk, the maker of the diabetes drug Victoza; and a a line of food, cookware and other products sold at national retailers across the country, including Walmart, Kmart and Target.
In transcripts issued to the media, the 66-year-old tried to justify her action saying she was raised in the south and racial epithets weren’t uncommon. To add fuel to the fire, she says, “I can’t determine what offends another person.”
Does Paula Deen really matter to the black community? Should we boycott the retailers and brands who continue to endorse and promote the obviously racist TV personality? Please share your thoughts.
UPDATE as of 5:13 p.m.: Food Network drops Paula Deen: A network spokeswoman said it would not renew Paula Deen’s contract when it expires at the end of June.
