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In reply to the discussion: I'm not particularly a fan of Paula Deen, but I think this is all much ado about nothing. [View all]no_hypocrisy
(46,038 posts)The college was created from a true Virginian plantation in honor of a deceased child.
It employed a lot of local residents, most of whom were African-Americans. The cooks, the servers, the housekeeping staff, the gardeners.
99% of the students were white females from upper-middle and upper social strata, debutantes if you will.
I only saw respect from all of us toward the people who worked on behalf of the college. Some of us were lucky enough to become friends with them, calling each other by first names, giving long loving hugs upon our graduation. Having Carson give his big smile first thing in the morning and asking if I'd like some eggs was the best breakfast I could ask for. Chewing the fat with Nancy over the latest episode of All My Children.
Never ever did the N-word ever show up even in passing.
While the imagery of a plantation with many African-Americans working on it in a different capacity from the Antebellum South did make one pause, it was a new era. They were just as much a part of my college experience as the professors.