Ridiculous!!

People like to practice selective political correctness basically if it suits their agenda they select to use it. Plenty of stars that use to shine have been dragged through the mud because people selected to make some of their selective personal comments public. Personally I do not care if people use racial slurs (I do not agree with them but who I to infringe on someone's words?) This includes racial slurs for all races, not just African American or select ethnic background. As a light skinned female when I went to visit my friend in PA (she is Colombian)any if her friends had plenty if unkind words for me (cracker. Snow flake. White girl) and she. She visit me plenty of people I know, including my idiot ex HD choice idiocies to say to her. If we censored everybody we would be censoring reality..

She should have watched what she said. Oh well.

It's a business decision.

She has a stink on her now. Why would they keep her around, if viewers and sponsors don't want to be associated with her?

The thing that boggles me is that they asked her if she has ever used the word before. I'd be shocked if anyone ever would say they have never said it before whether typing or saying outloud. I catch myself singing it in songs (Kanye West's Gold Digger) and I just don't see that her being honest that she has "said" it before count against her. At least she was honest.

People often dislike honesty. As someone said with a stigma attached to her she is less marketable. Lying to appease the masses is much more desirable (aka marketable).

Most rappers use it and no one cares.

there is a big difference between saying it in a song where its intention is not to be hurtful and the way it seems Deen used it.

also she planned to hire slave waiters for a themed wedding because it takes her back to simpler time?

im glad she got fired.

Anthony Bourdain was right about her.

In an interview in this week’s TV Guide, Bourdain calls Paula Deen “the worst, most dangerous person to America” for her artery-clogging style of cooking.

“I would think twice before telling an already obese nation that it is OK to eat food that is killing us,” Bourdain said of Deen and her kitchen creations."

“Plus, her food sucks.”

Everyone says stupid judgemental remarks at some point in their lives. Whether it be racist, homophobic, religious, anti-anything (overweight people, people with crazy hair, women with a lot of kids, the list goes on endlessly) It is all just people pre-judging others by what they see and interpret based on their upbringing and personal experiences. Is calling someone the n word just as bad as calling someone a hippo? I see it that way. So she said the n word, who cares? I get called a wetback by ignorant people all the time and I'm a 3rd generation American. "Go back to Mexico" they say. I literally laugh in their face, it's so funny to me. At least I have a culture I'm proud of. I've also been called a hippo. Who cares? I know I'm not as big as a hippo and so what if I was? No one can ever change anything anyone ever says. People say "They shouldn't do that" "They shouldn't say that" "They should change" But the bottom line is no one can legally make them change anything. We must change our way of dealing with it. We can only change they way we bring our children up. And even then, they are also raising their children with hate, so the cycle will probably never end. She has or will give a public apology to all black people....ok. Do you think that will make her stop being racist? Hell no. She will probably sarcastically say "That you know who" with even more contempt because she's pissed she now carries a label on her forehead.

People often dislike honesty. As someone said with a stigma attached to her she is less marketable. Lying to appease the masses is much more desirable (aka marketable).

That's often known as "Minnesota Nice" or "Southern Polite." Many people would rather hear/read something "pretty" yet patently untrue, rather than hear/see the truth presented in a cold, blatant manner.

The MFP forums are RIDDLED with this sentiment.

So long as you say things that are "nice," you're often applauded. Say something that is true, yet potentially "hurtful," a percentage of members on this site cannot find the "Report" button fast enough.

Example: Someone just read what I typed, and they're debating whether or not to report my post, right now. True story.

It was a business decision made by a business. If they thought they were going to lose sponsors over it and therefor lose money, then it was the right decision. Anyone who's a public figure needs to use some common sense in their behavior. She reaped what she sowed.

I have a hard time feeling sorry for her. I'm a regular old person of no significance who lives in the south and I have never used that word except to read it from antiquated print. If I were in a position like hers I would be extraordinarily careful with my words and actions. A fool and their money (or job) will soon be parted.

I am really disgusted with the Food Network over their decision to fire Paula Deen. As a Black woman, I'm not offended by her use of the "N-word."

I would, however, be offended if she used it in front of me. I would politely ask her not to, then we could carry on with our lives.

Honestly, do people really think she's the first person to use racial slurs? She's a 66 year old White woman who grew up during segretation in the South!

I really think she should have used better judgement before using language like that in her restaurants and especially around employees. However, to attack someone for what they say in their personal lives is a bit too far for me. Seems to me like people are set on trying to drag her through the mud.

What makes one set of offensive language worse than another? The way I use the "B-word" would be offense to a lot of women. Some people don't want to hear any curse words. When you really break it down, offensive language simply doesn't belong in one's place of business. With that being said, I highly doubt Paula is the only CHEF to use offensive language.

I couldn't agree more! I am not a fan of that word. I cringe when Black people use it. Howerer, she was asked a question and answered honestly. And I would rather someone be honest to my face than talk s**t behind my back. I have used slurs in my lifetime. As I have gotten older I have also gotten wiser about my word choices. I think she learned her lesson and an apology was enough. I'm not a huge fan but firing her was unnecessary in my opinion.

I have no sympathy for her in any way shape or form.
She made her own bed.

White sheets and all.


That's how I feel.

I agree with you. How many times has Gordon Ramsey swore or called people names? The problem is this is in direct conflict with her brand. If it would have been Ramsey, there might have been a stink but it wouldn't have cost him his career.

Honestly, though, this will be just like Martha Stewart's scandal. In a year, no one will remember and/or care and she will sign a contract with another network. She has a successful business and merchandising. She will be fine.

its one thing to bounce back from a crime but how many people bounce back from racism? Michael Richards...havent heard from him again in any real way..

I agree with you. How many times has Gordon Ramsey swore or called people names? The problem is this is in direct conflict with her brand. If it would have been Ramsey, there might have been a stink but it wouldn't have cost him his career.

Honestly, though, this will be just like Martha Stewart's scandal. In a year, no one will remember and/or care and she will sign a contract with another network. She has a successful business and merchandising. She will be fine.

its one thing to bounce back from a crime but how many people bounce back from racism? Michael Richards...havent heard from him again in any real way..

You really didn't hear anything from Michael Richards after Seinfeld period. A couple of tv shows that bombed. That's why he was doing standup in the first place.

I agree with you. How many times has Gordon Ramsey swore or called people names? The problem is this is in direct conflict with her brand. If it would have been Ramsey, there might have been a stink but it wouldn't have cost him his career.

Honestly, though, this will be just like Martha Stewart's scandal. In a year, no one will remember and/or care and she will sign a contract with another network. She has a successful business and merchandising. She will be fine.

its one thing to bounce back from a crime but how many people bounce back from racism? Michael Richards...havent heard from him again in any real way..

So ripping people off and serving a prison sentence is somehow more acceptable than admitting to using a racial slur? I was born and raised in Georgia. Paula Deen grew up in a generation that accepted and was comfortable with racism. While times have changed, it was difficult for many of that generation to realize and cope with the fact that behavior was no longer socially acceptable. I can remember my 85-yo grandmother use the word as late as the 90's. while that doesn't excuse the behavior, racism isn't something that can be just turned off either. It's a conditioned behavior.

I am not a big fan of Paula Dean at any time but fire her because of this...really, this is ridiculous, everyone uses racial slurs some times and some use them daily... I grew up hearing the 'n' word as a young Canadian and did not even think it was an offensive word, it was just a word .so she got reported or caught, big fricking deal!!!
I hear whitey and white 'B; and other things that are considered offensive white slurs but it does not really bother me ... I am white as white can be and who the heck cares, in Canada white people are now becoming a minority and we are being punished for being white by our own governments even so to have people lose their mind over this is nuts!!!
Oh and the fact that she was going to hire people to act as slaves for a wedding, big deal, the movie industry does it all the time what the heck is the difference!!!
Some people...if you are offended then you are part of the problem....I would not like to see the world go backwards but heck, this is stupid!