Target cuts ties with Paula Deen

[Eugene]

Source: Associated Press

Target cuts ties with Paula Deen

AP foreign, Thursday June 27 2013

ANNE D'INNOCENZIO

AP Retail Writer= NEW YORK (AP) - Target Corp. is announcing Thursday that it is ending its relationship with celebrity cook Paula Deen as fallout builds from revelations that the Southern celebrity chef used racial slurs in the past.

The discounter, based in Minneapolis, said that it will phase out its Paula Deen-branded cookware and other items in its stores as well as on Target.com.

The company says that once the merchandise is sold out, it will not be replenishing the inventory.

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Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/feedarticle/10858059

[BainsBane]

1. That was the worst effort at an apology I've ever seen

based on the clips I've seen of her Today Show interview. She obviously made it worse for herself.

[Arugula Latte]

5. But, but ... It's the young people's fault!!

When asked whether people find the n-word racist, Deen said, "I don’t know, I have asked myself that so many times. I go into my kitchens and hear what these young people are calling each other. It’s very distressing for me. I think for this problem to be worked on these young people are gonna have to take control and start showing respect for each other."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/26/paula-deen-today-show_n_3501825.html

[BainsBane]

9. Unreal

How hard is it to figure out that word means something quite different coming from a white person? Then her determination to present herself as the victim and proclaim she will never change. No wonder the sponsors are running.

[Arugula Latte]

12. Yep. Her "I'm the victim here" mentality is disgusting.

She told Lauer, "I'm heartbroken. I've had to hold friends in my arms while they've sobbed because they know what has been said about me. It's not true."

Poor, poor Paula. Her friends are upset and she has to comfort them!

[TlalocW]

2. Does that mean it's on sale?

I could use some new pots and pans.

TlalocW

[FarCenter]

4. Not online. This announcement means they'll sell out at full price.

[Zoeisright]

8. Her stuff is crap.

The nonstick surface peels and the handles crack.

[RebelOne]

13. If you have a Big Lots near you, keep checking there.

I am sure that in the next few months we will start seeing her cookware at heavily discounted prices. I am practically around the corner from a Big Lots and will keep checking. Their flyer is sent to me weekly.

[Auggie]

3. Her 15 minutes are up, and she did make a ton of money in the process ...

take it run, Ms. Deen.

[LiberalAndProud]

6. The corporate response to the Paula Deen debacle is interesting.

Does it say something about our economic power structure? If so, perhaps we should be paying attention.

[Beacool]

7. What it says is that they are worried about the bottom line.

I doubt that any of these corporations gives a crap about civil rights, women's rights and good working conditions for their employees, particularly Smithfield.

[LiberalAndProud]

10. Exactly.

We can assume that profit is the motive. So it's not profitable to appear to support discrimination an bigotry, at least if you're Walmart or Target. That much is clear.

[Arugula Latte]

11. I think they are finally realizing social media allows people to compare notes quickly.

[asjr]

14. . . . revelations that the Southern celebrity chef used

racial slurs in the past. No matter how long in the past if Paula had been a man there would have been forgiveness immediately after an apology. But the "racism" of this 64 year old woman from the South is not accorded that outcome. No, everyone and his or her brother, sister, and probably second cousins jumped on the bandwagon really quick. Some people here have raced to see how soon they could get their 2 cents worth of blame in against this woman. And I will be vilified because of this reply. Like--"Oh so you like racism!" will be one of the worst. I have also noticed the same ones would like to give Lord Snowden a medal for divulging secrets at the expense of this country. This is no longer the DU I joined in 2002. The firms that have dropped her are even worse. Smithfield hams? Do they think everyone will stop buying hams? Will Target never sell pots and pans again? And Walmart! Now that one is funny. Food network is so over the top I will never miss them. They have become so good at feeling superior I become sick just looking at them. I admit to being old--probably older than anyone else here but I don't like "rude and crude" which is something that has happened here. We have become a "blame someone else" country.

[TheDebbieDee]

15. Is her Target cookware manufactured here in the US or in China?

If it's made here, I feel bad for the US workers who will be looking for new jobs.

If it's made in China......well, then, c'est la vie!

[Le Taz Hot]

16. When does it become "piling on?"

I mean, really. I don't have any opinion about her one way or the other but I don't remember this many businesses dropping a spokesperson since O.J. and he killed two people (allegedly).