The media and every business that works with Paula Deen, the celebrity chef, continue to crucify her, and this for admitting to use racist epithets such as “nigger” and making racist jokes. Sigh. How much is enough? Wal-Mart, for one, said they will no longer carry Paula Deen branded products, as did Target, after considering things all week. The Food Network ingloriously dropped her last week, and even Novo Nordisk did not remain loyal to the spokesman whom they did so well by.
“Novo Nordisk and Paula Deen have mutually agreed to suspend our patient education activities for now, while she takes time to focus her attention where it is needed,” the company said, characterizing their expulsion of her as if it were an act of kindness. “Novo Nordisk would like to acknowledge Paula’s involvement in our ‘Diabetes in a New Light’ campaign, where she has helped make many people aware of type-2 diabetes and the lifestyle changes needed to control this serious disease.”
That at least was one better than Target who simply said, “We have made a decision to phase out the Paula Deen merchandise in our stores as well as on Target.com. Once the merchandise is sold out, we will not be replenishing inventory.” Nothing personal, Paula, just business.
The businesses all seem skittish; they are not going to interfere as the public makes a scapegoat out of Paula Deen. Sears and QVC are themselves equivocating over the issue, and seem to have more fortitude than the like of Wal-Mart and Target. The buffet restaurants owned by Caesars Entertainment have stripped Paula’s name from four, in what is called a mutual agreement with Deen. Because, apparently, she always wanted to get her name off those restaurants.
Paula insists she is not racist, and in a tearful moment on “Today” Wednesday, asked anybody in the audience who has never said anything they’ve regretted to throw a rock at her head. But how can a gospel reference save her now? The ritual of scapegoat absolution is too far on its way.