This whole thing started off when a former employee of Deen, Lisa Jackson sued her. Jackson claims she was sexually harassed, and worked in a hostile environment rife with innuendos and racial slurs while working for Paula Deen and her brother at Uncle Bubba's Seafood and Oyster House in Savannah, G.A. I don't think Paula Deen using the "N" should surprise anyone, considering the fact that she is a 66 year old white woman that grew up in the southern part of America in the 50s. As much as she must have tried to fight it, and believe in equality, old habits die hard. The "N" word was something used loosely by white people of the south back in the 50s and 60s. Racism was very prominent at the time. This was the period when Emmett Til was brutally beaten to death for whistling at a white female. It shouldn't be shocking that Paula Deen would unconscious use the "N" word, but it doesn't necessary mean she meant the use in any offensive way.
She was on the Today Show Wednesday morning, and below are her words-
"The main reason I am here today, Matt, is it's important to me that I
tell you, and everyone out there, what I believe and how I live my life.
I believe that every creature in this earth — every one of God's
creatures — was created equal, no matter who you chose to go bed at
night with, no matter what church you go to pray. I believe that
everyone should be treated equal and that's the way I was raised, and
that's the way I live my life."