#ShowUp Paula Deen

Miscellaneous

#ShowUp Paula Deen

Published by

Gina Luttrell

June 21, 2013

My friend Anthony said it right in his tweet this morning – #showup.

Come on Paula Deen it’s been days now and no response!

You have got to be kidding me!

Do your reps at the Food Network think this will just go away if you click your heels three times?

In case you’ve been away on vacation let’s recap the issue:

Paula Deen admitted under a court deposition to telling racist jokes, using the N-word, and even planned a slavery-themed wedding.

Yep, you heard that right!

Why are you hiding? If you were brave and proud enough to tell the jokes, use the word and re-enact one of the most shameful times in U.S. history, then #showup when you are supposed to talk about the incident.

According to the Today Show, Deen was scheduled to make an appearance today and talk with Matt Lauer about this issue.

Matt tweeted the following:

‘Paula Deen was scheduled to do an interview with us this morning, live in our studio, but we just found out, she’s a no show’ – @mlauer

Paula Deen Bails On ‘Today’ Interview

Paula, do you need a quick lesson on crisis communication?

Here is a down and dirty one:

Step 1: Say I’M SORRY!

Initiate a dialogue early. (Oops that boat has sailed for you.) It doesn’t mean though not to

respond at all. Always be honest, even when it hurts.

Step 2: Tell us how and why you are going to change.

Anticipate and prepare for hostility.

Step 3: Show us you’ve changed. And don’t go do something lame like volunteer for some non-profit organization and be sure you take lots of photos with people of color to prove you aren’t a racist.

2 responses to “#ShowUp Paula Deen”

donaldfmclean

June 21, 2013

I agree completely. Apparently she gave a 46 second YouTube apology today but that is not enough to show sincere feelings. It is amazing to think that someone with as much fame as Paula Deen does not have a PR team to help her in this crisis communications mode. On the other hand, maybe she did have help because, as we know, she was going to be on the Today Show. It could just be her fear that made her not show up to the appearance. Either way, in today’s day and age, no matter what you think about humanity, politics, religion, or race, these subjects should not be talked about. Especially when you are of a certain status. Word spreads too quickly. Everyone has instant access. What a mess! Is there such thing as Super Emergency Crisis Communications? if so, she needs it. The only way to even start to try to come back from this is to go back on the Today Show and apologize for both things.

Reply
1. ginaluttrellphd
  
  June 25, 2013
  
  She gave two video apologies. I thought the one to Matt Lauer was better than the one intended for the public. Regardless, they both were unacceptable.
  
  Reply

Gina Luttrell