Entertainment

4 Quotes About Race Coming Back to Bite Paula Deen

by Kate Ward

Embattled TV personality Paula Deen says plenty of nice things in an old interview with The New York Times. During a discussion about race, the former Food Network star bemoaned the existence of racism ("It will take a long time — it will take a long, long time — for it to completely be gone"), and shared her love for an African-American friend on set. "I love this young man," she said. "I would travel to hell with him. And I know I can trust him with my life, and color ain't got nothing to do with it. It's all about what's in here."

But, following the revelation that Deen had previously used the n-word and even allegedly planned a slave-themed wedding, the Southern personality also said enough to make one cringe following the scandal. Below, see the four quotes that are coming back to bite Deen:

1. "I feel like the South is almost less prejudiced because black folks played such an integral part in our lives. They were like our family."

2. "I think we're all prejudiced against one something or another. And I think black people feel the same prejudice that white people feel.

3. "I have a young man in my life and his name is Hollis Johnson, and he's black as that board [pointing to the New York Times backdrop."

4. [To Johnson] "We can't see you standing against that dark board!"

Following the scandal, Deen was dropped by the Food Network and as a sponsor for Smithfield. The celebrity chef will be appearing on Today Wednesday in an attempt to save her brand.