Paula Deen Interview: My Take

[erpowers]

Some of the people at DU might have known that Paula Deen was going to be interviewed by Matt Lauer today. Here is my take on the interview.

By the end of the interview I thought it was a bad idea for Deen to have done the interview. At the beginning things seemed to be going well. Deen began by saying that she believed everyone was created equal. After that she became a little defensive and stated that people who did not know her were all of a sudden becoming "experts" on her and making statements about her that were not true.

For me things took the worst turn when Lauer brought up Deen's statement that she did not know what statements would offend different groups. Lauer then asked her if she really could not understand that the n-word would offend African-Americans. Deen then decided to take the Don Imus route and blame young people for using the n-word in her kitchen. In my opinion it continued downhill from there. Shortly after mentioning the fact that young people use the n-word she said she would not talk about the things she had done for black people. She would let others tell what she had done. Finally, Deen stated someone had seen the things she had gained in her life and that person wanted what she had. At that point Lauer, I think, tried to save Deen by trying to cut off the interview. However, Deen went back to an earlier statement she had made, saying if anyone had not done anything wrong she wanted them to pick up the stone and throw it at her head as hard as they can.

In conclusion, by the end of the interview I thought anyone who was not a supporter do Deen might see the interview as Deen having a pity party instead of apologizing and taking responsibility for her actions. In my opinion, it would have been better if Deen had just left her statements to online videos. I think she came across better in the online videos.

[bullwinkle428]

1. I just heard a brief audio snippet of the interview. It sounded like she went

"full metal martyr", and started blubbering in a pathetic effort to win sympathy when she realized she was going down in flames!

[Phentex]

2. I heard a snippet on the radio this morning and

felt she just made things worse.

Also, I had not heard the part about being held at gunpoint before but I thought THAT'S the word that comes to mind? That made me think she's an even deeper racist than I thought.

The boat is sinking and she's bailing with a sieve.

[LisaLynne]

3. I was going to post about it, too.

I agree she should not have done the interview. It made things worse. The whole "I hear kids calling each other that word and they need to show respect to each other first" thing was disgusting. That's what she really thinks -- that because an African-American may use that word to another African-American, they are responsible for racism. Basically, that's what she was saying, IMHO.

She is making it worse because I do not think she believes she is "racist", whatever that might mean to her. She thinks this is just the way things are, there is nothing wrong with it, and everybody is like that. The more she talks, the more it comes out.

[laundry_queen]

7. I agree with your last sentence

I've used to find Paula Deen endearing, but as she started to open her mouth with this controversy, I was like WHAT is she thinking? It's unreal the crap that's been coming out of her mouth - and she thinks it's okay?!? WTF? Says everything I need to know about the type of person she is.

[OneGrassRoot]

4. I only saw a snippet and am dying for a gif version of it:

Last edited Wed Jun 26, 2013, 10:28 AM - Edit history (1)

Where she said, "I is what I is and I'm not changing." Tearfully.

OMG.



Edited to change "ain't" to "I'm not." I just saw the clip again and, in spite of headlines to the contrary, she didn't say "ain't."

Just sayin'.

[laundry_queen]

5. It simply sounded like every narcissist I've ever known

Boohoo, can't you see how much this has affected ME?!? *I'M* the one that's totally devastated here. And it's all YOUR fault. Everyone is out to get me. Nothing that came out of my mouth meant what I said. You are taking it wrong. You are all too sensitive. You're just jealous of my success. Everyone is trying to bring me down. I'm the victim here! My friends know the real me. I don't have to answer to anyone. This whole thing is ridiculous. I am above such questioning. I won't say sorry, I'll spew word salad instead to distract from this whole thing.

There - I think I just about covered it.

[Phentex]

6. Yes and always comes across as

I'm really sorry I got caught!

[laundry_queen]

8. Bingo. nt