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@plantains: totally agree.

I'm not excusing the use of the n word, because it's always wrong, but even worse IMO is her/the ongoing romantic racialism and nostalgia for days of inequality. Romanticism for African-Americans in positions of servitude, romanticism of a time when they were second class citizens. Very troubling.

@MrsTiz: I don'tthink hiring minority staff precludes on from being racist, nor do I think racist jokes are funny.

I actually don't think this has been blown out of proportion at all. I think there is just the right amount of stink. People who go round using the n-word need to understand that there are consequences.

I am very glad that the world is reacting this way. I'm tired of people thinking it is okay to denigrate black people with racial slurs left right and centre. As far as I am concerned, she is reaping what she sowed, I hope she continues to do so.

@mediagirl: Same. Wow.

@mrsjazz: aaaargh, just reading your entire post is making me so angry. I can't believe people take slavery and and what it did to an entire race so lightly. Communities are still dealing with the fallout today and people think it is okay to be nostalgic for those times?

That joke about her black employee has me seeing red.

@plantains: @Mrs. Lemon-Lime: The whole time I watched that video I kept saying, "Is she for real?" How could someone think it was okay to say that while being recorded in front of a live audience. She's totally ignorant. And I don't understand how anyone can watch that clip and not see something wrong with it. Sad.

On her Today Show interview she said she wasnt sure if the N word offended black people because she hears young people in her kitchens use it. When used as a slur its offensive! When used by other groups as a joke or mocking hip hop its offensive.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: she is still losing me with this BS. Just accept responsibility, apologise and move on. Stop making excuses and feigning ignorance. Ugh.

Wow. I'm surprised and disappointed people think this is was "blown out of porportion." Read her direct quotes from the deposition. She is clearly steeped in old, racist mindsets. She was asked if she referred to black waitstaff (the ones in the bowties) as the N-word and she said, "No, because that's not what they are." This clearly reflects the attitude that it's okay to call people the N-word if they aren't a "good" black person. And don't even get me started on her comments about viewing pornography in the workplace! Her attitude is "boys will be boys." I understand she's an old lady & coming from a place of ignorance, not hate, but that doesn't make it acceptable.

@MrsTiz: "I think if she were as racist as people are making her out to be she wouldn't have hired AA staff in the first place." Really? Racists have had black people work for them throughout the history of this country.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: That really annoyed me this morning because it felt like she was trying to defer responsibility. I could tell she was heading in a "well, black people say it all the time!" direction and I was like, "Oh, Paula...don't go there..." I think she's trying to defend herself by saying that she used the N-word when she was held at gunpoint, but that's even worse because then it was clearly used in a derogatory manner. That word would NEVER even pop into my mind, regardless of what was happening!

@daniellemybelle: cosigned.

Additionally, many people lose their jobs because they say stupid things. actions have consequences and people need to learn that lesson. Just ask Isaiah Washington.

@MsLipGloss: My opinion on this has changed. I think no matter who uses the word and in any context it's a derogatory word.

Growing up I was taught the word was a slur and heard it for the most part in movies and documentaries. I very rarely heard it in person and it was usually cackling, drunk adults and my parents would tell me they don't know any better. Hey you can't pick extended family or their friends.

When I went to college I heard it more. For example when I would pass by a group of guys hanging out at the dorm or cafeteria. They would use the word same as homie or my man or friend. I felt unconfortable with how loose they were with the word, but it wasn't being used as a slur.

I dated a guy who didn't use it, but had a sister who did. I remember hearing her curse up a storm about how men suck. She used the N word. I was sad for her that she used such an ugly, unladylike word and I was offended for the faceless guys she was talking about.

I don't listen to uncensored rap often, but my mouth still drops at the explicit language I hear. I was offended, hurt really when a friend kept using the word when singing Snoop lyrics even after I told him that I didn't want to hear him say it.

If I over hear it and it's between two people who genuinely say it as a substitute for friend and all of their actions -speech, hand movements seem genuine I wouldn't be offended. Otherwise, I'm sensitive (derogatory, curse word) to it or am outright offended (slur).

There are plenty of old white women who grew up in the same circumstances as she did that do not use that word and do not make comments about "plantations in the good 'ole days". Sure, she is a international, well-know figure. That should make it even more obvious not to do it.

Quoting @deerylou: "And her alleged statement, "Well, what I would really like is a bunch of little "n-words" to wear long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow", when referring to the wait staff at her brother's "plantation themed" wedding, occurred in 2007. "

I am not familiar with what actually happened, but personally I can not stand Paula Deen. I watched her only once on a Bobby Flay show where he competes with Paula Deen in making a Southern dish or something. She is so loud and can not lose. Just annoying. I actually don't quite understand why she is famous.

But anyway, even if she didn't use the n word, the idea she has is just wrong: "what I would really like is a bunch of little black people wearing long-sleeve white shirts, black shorts and black bow" ..... sorry but to me that idea is quite racist. So her guests should be all white to complete the plantation theme? I don't know.

I still wish her well, but I don't care seeing her on the TV anymore.