Conservative - Or Liberal?

One of my grandparents was a strong Democrat – I think it was a great disappointment to them as offspring after offspring began voting as conservative Republicans! I was no different, but occasionally some topic will rear its head and my kneejerk reaction makes me wonder if, in a different life, I was a total left-wing liberal!!

I won't say that the current hubbub over Paula Deen and whether or not this gracious Southern lady is racist is necessarily political – but it's certainly been interesting to follow all the various opinions.

Facebook has been particularly rampant – from the “We Support Paula Deen” page and all their posts, to the individual comments on the various TV appearances and companies bailing on Miss Paula.

The tone of a couple of my comments should have already clued you in to the fact that I'm a strong Paula Deen supporter. I think she's a wonderful cook, a great lady, and a fantastic role model for anyone who is a single parent struggling to support their children.

I have been a Paula Deen fan since she first hit the national scene. She comes across as so real, so down-homey.......and her food! Honey, that is food to die for!!! (And I know some people believe that to be true, what with all the real butter she uses!)

I have a copy of Paula's autobiography and enjoyed reading it. She didn't pull any punches in it with regard to talking about herself, and my respect for what she has accomplished really increased after finishing the book. She wasn't easy on herself in some parts, and she certainly never tried to portray herself as angelic.

One critical part of that book was discussing the time she worked in a bank and was robbed, with a gun put to her head. That was many years ago. And believe me, if someone put a gun to my head and threatened my life, I'm not sure I'd be able to come up with any complimentary names for them!

When did this holier-than-thou attitude become the norm? I know that life changes, peoples' outlooks change – but I feel like this situation really goes back to my basic conservative Sunday School teaching – let him who is without sin cast the first stone.

I know there have been times, under specific circumstances, when I've said things I shouldn't have. And yes, I would admit to having used an ethnic term when I should have instead kept my mouth shut. I would like to think that would not be held against me now, decades later. And yet Paula Deen's honesty, instead of being applauded, is being held against her by so many.

Hopefully the majority of us – the Silent Majority? - can hold strong with our acceptance of one another rather than feeling that our entire life might be judged by one moment taken out of life's context.

I felt it needed to be said – I'll get off my soapbox for today! Thanks for listening.