Recently, Paula Deen has been accused of being racist. She’s said to have used the “N” word, which has cost her deals with Wal-Mart and the Food Network. Both have been huge supporters of her empire.

Paula Deen has admitted using the “N” word back in the 1980s, and possibly in conversations while retelling a story in which she was held at gunpoint at a bank by a robber who was black.

The controversy seems to be appearing at the peak of her career. Looking at many successful businesses and business people, there seems to be a trend. Questions such as, “Is someone out there just plain vengeful, wanting and waiting to see Paula Deen’s empire just crumble?” or is there another question being raised here? A question with political undertones, calling our attention to racial issues here in the United States.

I would have to say both. It’s definitely possible there is a person out there filled with jealousy over Paula Deen’s success, but a bigger question is raised. Where is America in our progression of racial issues?

It wasn’t until the 1990s when interracial marriage was legalized.

When laws of a society are changed, the psychology leading people to actually believe in the law takes much longer to catch up with the printed law. So, the possibility lies in the maybe back in the 1980s the psychological shift just hadn’t happened for Deen quite yet.

That’s not to excuse Mrs. Deen’s comments; however, this controversy shows the prudence of people, the inspiring fact that hey, we are human. We say things we don’t mean and do things we hate, but don’t understand.

I’m not sure of the future of Paula Deen’s successful empire, however, I think a lesson can be learned here. It is no doubt Paula Deen said racial slurs and comments, but why hold those things against her when clearly, she has been remorseful and distressed over her own words?

This is rhetorical. They shouldn’t. Seeing the progression of Paula Deen’s racially slurred language to thoroughly apologizing for her lack of understanding and showing clear insight to her own botched view of racially sensitive language might be telling and insightful to how American society has progressed over the years in regards to racial issues.

The progression of racial equality in the United States shows there is hope for change when injustice, discrimination and inequality are occurring in the United States.

Paula Deen’s remorse for her remarks can be taken as a metaphor, as insight into the human capacity for change and repentance.