There have been many noteworthy news stories over the past few
days. One that doesn't sit well with me is the Paula Deen racism
"controversy". Before I delve any further, let me put one thing out
there. To use racial slurs is not acceptable by anyone under any
circumstances. Nothing I will say changes that socially accepted truth.
What doesn't sit well is the idea that any person in the public
light must walk in near perfection or else they will be cast aside like a
cheap goldfish. Yes, it is inexcusable for Paula Deen, or anyone, to
say the things that she said. But, if we're going to be honest, I
believe almost all of us have said crude, vulgar, or inappropriate
things at one time in their life. Many of the comments referenced are
from many years before her television career. If all of us were judged
on the misguided comments of our younger days then I don't think we'd
have any public officials or well-respected celebrities.
There are many good things about our 24/7 new cycle that we have
today. Information is easier to access than ever before. But we must be
careful not to blow mistakes out of proportion. I'm no Paula Deen
"lover", but she seems to know what she's talking about when it comes to
food. Why, then, can we not accept her fault (or mistake) and allow her
to share her expertise with the world? If we're not careful, we'll be
out of experts before long.
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