On June 26, 2013, Paula Deen appeared on the Today Show to discuss her use of the N-word and the regret for her behavior after former employee, Lisa Jackson filed a discrimination lawsuit against Deen and her brother. The news video report of the scandal was given by NBC’s Mara Schiavocampo.
According to Jackson, Deen said (commenting on her brother’s wedding), “What I would really like is a bunch of little n*****s to wear long sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow-ties…now that would be a true Southern wedding, wouldn’t it?” That was not the only problem reported by Jackson.
According to transcripts of Deen’s court hearing, on other occasions Deen admitted “Yes, of course” she had used the N-word “probably in telling [her] husband” after she was held at gunpoint by a black man (Transcript p. 23). Paula continued when probed further that “that’s just a word we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the ‘60s in the south. And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior” (Transcript p. 24).
Deen then went on to apologize to the public as displayed in the end of Shiavocampo’s video package saying, “I beg for your forgiveness,” but her prior prestige and position were lost.
Deen went through a public relations crisis as a result of this case and the bad publicity that it brought to her. She lost her job at the Food Network, and then laid low on the celebrity radar for a couple of years.
I believe that Deen was mostly honest in her testimony: she herself was in conflict with her cultural upbringing, the intent of her words and how the publics within society can be offended.
Now she is coming back into the public eye as a contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” and advertising for her new book “Paula Deen Cuts the Fat: 250 Favorite Recipes All Lightened Up.” She has changed from being the woman that people would jokingly say loves butter to saying, “it is about living a healthier life” (Press release: Paula Deen Releases New Cookbook). She is also attempting to build friendships with African American celebrities such as recently mentioned in recent news stories about Tracy Morgan and referring to Oprah while being interviewed on “Dancing with the Stars.”
James Richards 