Lynn Coleman Gardner – 7/26/13

This page was last updated on July 26, 2013.

Deen not good role model; Lynn Coleman [Gardner]; Beaver County Times; July 26, 2013. Though the letter was signed “Lynn Coleman,” I’m guessing this is the same author who signed her name “Lynn Coleman Gardner,” also of White Township, to previous letters. If any readers know differently, please let me know.

Ms. Gardner has written at least 56 letters since 2005. Previous letters from Ms. Gardner I critiqued are here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Below is a detailed critique of the subject letter.

“The situation surrounding Paula Deen using the N-word was totally uncalled for, not necessary and disrespectful.”

[RWC] It’s not clear to me Ms. Gardner knows “the situation surrounding Paula Deen using the N-word.”

Here’s the transcript of the subject deposition. The relevant testimony is on pages 21-23, 77-80, and 129.

“I’m glad some of the networks are dropping her. To be in the public’s eye or not to be: People were born with names, and that’s how they should be addressed. If you are going to refer to people by their nationality, there’s no such nationality as the N-word.”

[RWC] Based on my records going back to 2005, I found no letters from Ms. Gardner complaining about rappers, comedians, and others who constantly use “nigger/nigga” in their acts, music, etc. As far as I can tell, Miss Deen did nothing anywhere near that bad and didn’t use the word on her show. What’s different about Miss Deen to Ms. Gardner?

“There’s no such nationality as” black, white, and so on either.

“Plus, she has lied about other concerns regarding her life. She doesn’t exhibit the content of character for being a good role model.”

[RWC] I’ve never seen Miss Deen’s show; does she sell herself as “being a good role model?” If “being a good role model” is a requirement for having a TV show, we’re going to have “57 channels and nothin’ on.”

Finally, her letter-writing body of work shows Ms. Gardner is not averse to name-calling and so on. Let’s hope Ms. Gardner’s glass house is rock-proof.