After the National Enquirer published that there was a videotaped deposition where Paula Deen admitted to using the N-word, inquiring minds wanted to know: Could the Queen of Butter be a racist? Now the public can judge for themselves as said deposition has just been released.
On May 17, 2013, Deen spoke at a legal hearing after allegations of racial discrimination were launched from a former manager at the Savannah, Georgia restaurant she co-owns with brother Earl "Bubba" Hiers. Lisa T. Jackson's complaint, filed in 2012, alleged that African American workers were told to stay in the back of the restaurant so they would be out of the customers' sight. Jackson also claimed that Deen used racial epithets regarding African-American employees.
According to CNN, Deen admitted to having used the N-word in the past. A portion of the transcript reveals her response to the lawyers line of questioning:
Lisa T. Jackson's Lawyer: "Miss Deen, have you told racial jokes?"
Paula Deen: "No, not racial."
Jackson Lawyer: "Have you ever used the 'N word' yourself?"
Deen: "Yes, of course."
Deen explained the admission she was referring to was related to an incident when she was held up by robber while working at a bank many years ago. Jackson's lawyer then asked if Deen has used the word since, and Deen responded, "I'm sure I have, but it's been a very long time." When asked in what context she added, "maybe in repeating something that was said to me."
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Reports that Deen had planned a wedding for a relative in which "middle-aged" African-American men would act as waiters as part of a plantation-style wedding. Deen believed it to be a "very southern style wedding." However, in discussing the event, Jackson claimed Deen's waiters were intended to look as slaves.
Deen's idea for having the middle-aged African-American men dressed in white jackets with black bow ties was inspired by another restaurant she had visited. She also described it as part of a "certain era in America." When asked during the deposition what era she responded, "After the Civil War, during the Civil War, before the Civil War." Jackson's lawyer followed up asking, "Before the Civil War, those black men and women who were waiting on white people were slaves, right? Deen responded, "Yes, I would say they were slaves." However, Deen added that she "'did not mean anything derogatory."
According to CNN, Deen's lawyer, Bill Franklin said, "Contrary to media reports, Ms. Deen does not condone or find the use of racial epithets acceptable." The Food Network has also issued a statement saying that they would "continue to monitor the situation."
You can find the entire deposition transcript on Eater.com.
Does this change your opinion of Paula Deen?
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