The recent decision by the Food Network to remove Paula Deen from their network feels like the first left hook in a race war that should never happen. Deen, a buttery star of the network, was released from her association with the network due to allegations and testimony that shows she used racist statements at points in her life. This is far short from calling Deen a racist and someone who perpetuates hate. I choose to believe that she is neither of these things but instead is a woman born and raised in the south in a racist household, city, and state.
Deen admitted in testimony for a civil lawsuit that she used racial epitaphs such as ‘nigger’. She claimed to have used the language in direct relation to a man who held a gun to her head. Her comments suggest a woman who still sees ‘blacks’ as different; someone raised in a way that blacks were inherently a different group and one separate and perhaps inferior to herself. Now she also speaks to the fact that she evolved her viewpoint and doesn’t use that language and even goes so far to suggest her family won’t tolerate that language. This is evolution. This is what we want from people born into racism. So why is she being penalized for it?
What bothers me is that this could result in backlash. People could see this as a ‘why stop being racist’ moment and shift to a racist for life mode. After all, why try to change if there is no benefit to that change die to your past.
Some Thoughts:
- The motivation isn’t there yet. On the bright side I did not go to McDonalds and buy the 6 apple pies I wanted. On an even brighter side I am starting to recognize that there are only so many distractions I can enjoy before my mind says enough.
- Upon second viewing Prometheus has merit. The last 40 minutes are terrible, but everything up to that point is suspense filled and valid.