Family of KFC's Colonel Sanders defends him (against racism)

[left-of-center2012]

Family of KFC’s Colonel Sanders defends him amid Papa John’s racial slur scandal

The family of KFC’s Colonel Harland Sanders has come to his defense after Papa John’s founder John Schnatter suggested the colonel had used the N-word but hadn’t faced criticism for doing so.

Schnatter was on a call with marketing agency 'Laundry Service' in May when he tried to downplay comments he made about the National Football League and allegedly said, “Colonel Sanders called blacks n-----s," and complained that the KFC founder never faced public backlash. Then on Friday, Schnatter told Louisville radio station WHAS that he was “just talking the way that the Colonel talked.”

Colonel Sanders’ grandson Trigg Adams told the Louisville Courier Journal on Wednesday that it is “an absolute lie” that Sanders used the racial slur or any other racially offensive words.

“He’s a weasel,” Adams said about Papa John’s founder Schnatter, the Courier Journal reported. “Because he's prejudiced, he’s trying to say somebody else was, too. (Sanders) had absolutely no prejudice against anybody.”
Sanders, who died in 1980, donated more than $20 million to charities, including to black churches, Adams added.

[tonyt53]

1. Gotta disagree with Adams. Heard many times over the years that the Colonel used that word.

That is how he would identify blacks. Whether malicious intent or just plain ignorance, he did it. He was abrasive too. He did give some money away though, and some likely went to black churches. But i don't know where got he $20 million. He sold KFC to John Y. Brown (Pamela Brown on CNN is his daughter by the way) for a song. He was paid to do the commercials though.

BUT nothing about Harlan Sanders excuses what Schnatter said. Nothing! Maybe he brought up Sanders/KFC to slam Pizza Hut. Both Pizza Hut and KFC are owned by Yum Brands.

[oberliner]

6. Where did you hear that?

You provide no evidence of your claim.

Here's an article on the subject says that he used the word "Negro" but that was relatively common (and not generally considered offensive until more recently):

https://www.courier-journal.com/story/news/2018/07/13/kentucky-fried-chicken-founder-colonel-sanders-racist/779789002/

[tonyt53]

10. I'm a older lifelong Kentuckian. I did say "heard", didn't I? Same way I heard he had a foul mouth.

The only difference in what I had "heard" about his foul mouth, and what was written is the written version added the word "very" in front of it. A guy, not including being from where he was born, but from where he spent a great deal of his life, likely referred to blacks as Negroes AND that word used by John Schnatter. I've heard even old women used that word (not Negro) in normal everyday language with no malice intended. Not covering for anybody, just stating something that most people that grew up in KY years ago, have heard over and over. I'm sure not covering for John Schnatter. His words about NFL players, then this episode, tell his story and he can't hide from it.

[oberliner]

12. Thanks for clarifying

I was just wondering if you heard it - as in there was some video or something where he used the word.

In any case, I agree with your other points.

[exboyfil]

2. Even if so

Someone born and raised in 1890s Kentucky and Indiana probably shouldn't be held to the same standard as someone in the late 20th century. It sure seems like pining for the good old days (the most offensive aspect of the comment).

[mercuryblues]

3. +1

[NCTraveler]

4. Next Papa will be justifying his racism by quoting slave owners. nt

[Jose Garcia]

5. LBJ also used that word

But he did more for civil rights than any President in the 20th Century. It's important to view a person's life in its totally (does the good outweigh the bad), and also through the lens of the times they lived through.

[tavernier]

7. Not to mention, worst pizza I ever ate.

We ordered the cheeseburger pizza one year and threw it out after one bite due do the revolting taste, and we will eat most anything.

[Orsino]

8. Means nothing that a grandson claims the Colonel never used the word.

Unverifiable claim at best from an interested party.

[Iggo]

9. In the context of what's happening right now, it means nothing whether he did or he didn't.

It didn't matter when Schnatter brought it up on the conference call.

It doesn't matter now that Schnatter is flailing around looking for exculpation. (I had to look up that word.)

The book is closed on Colonel Sanders.

Schnatter's a racist asshole right fucking now.

[tonyt53]

11. THIS is the point!!!!!

[Crunchy Frog]

13. So he's attacking someone who died nearly 40 years ago

To try to make himself look better.

Classy.