I know some parts of the country are very dry, but it raining every day here. Almost every day for the last couple of weeks it has rained. More rain is in the forecast for each of the next ten days. The grass is growing and it needs to be cut; but it's never fully dry enough to mow.
Oh well, there are worse things happening in the world.
Thursday, July 11, 2013
Wednesday, July 3, 2013
Paula Dean... Paula Dean.... Paula Dean
Everyone has probably heard about the Paula Dean story. Many retail stores have stopped carrying her products. As far as I can tell, Mrs. Dean admitted to saying these things years ago - decades ago - and she has repeated expressed sorrow for it.
I don't think these retailers are canceling Dean's products because the retailers have such noble moral codes. It's because they are afraid of also be called a racist. In today's world many people consider being called a racist the worst thing possible. Look at the public's reactions and media coverage when someone (especially a celebrity) commits certain crimes.
Arrested for drunk driving? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Accused of cheating on your spouse? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Arrested for drug use/possession? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Ordered by a judge to go to rehab/jail? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Cheating on your taxes? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Arrested for theft? Arrested for murder? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
However, say certain racist comments - even if it was decades ago and you're sorry for it now - then they'll kick you out of their stores. Others will try to ruin your reputation beyond repair. You do not see retailers discontinuing movies, television series DVD's, music, perfume, etc. from others who have made similar or worse actions. New York and LA (including Hollywood) celebrities get more grace than this southern belle.
You can criticize or say offensive words about many people without much fallout. You can: Badmouth men. Say horrible things about whites. Say horrible things about Christians. Say horrible things about Americans. That's all considered "free speech" to many people. Such a double standard, in my opinion.
However, like most celebrity snafus, the public will forgive & forget later. In a couple of years, no one will care about the Paula Dean deal. She'll be selling books and back on television.
I don't think these retailers are canceling Dean's products because the retailers have such noble moral codes. It's because they are afraid of also be called a racist. In today's world many people consider being called a racist the worst thing possible. Look at the public's reactions and media coverage when someone (especially a celebrity) commits certain crimes.
Arrested for drunk driving? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Accused of cheating on your spouse? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Arrested for drug use/possession? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Ordered by a judge to go to rehab/jail? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Cheating on your taxes? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
Arrested for theft? Arrested for murder? There's a little bit of media coverage, but no outrage.
However, say certain racist comments - even if it was decades ago and you're sorry for it now - then they'll kick you out of their stores. Others will try to ruin your reputation beyond repair. You do not see retailers discontinuing movies, television series DVD's, music, perfume, etc. from others who have made similar or worse actions. New York and LA (including Hollywood) celebrities get more grace than this southern belle.
You can criticize or say offensive words about many people without much fallout. You can: Badmouth men. Say horrible things about whites. Say horrible things about Christians. Say horrible things about Americans. That's all considered "free speech" to many people. Such a double standard, in my opinion.
However, like most celebrity snafus, the public will forgive & forget later. In a couple of years, no one will care about the Paula Dean deal. She'll be selling books and back on television.
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