Before the scandal Paula Deen using a racial slur, she had been caught in an interview last year touching upon race in a "joking" manner.
According to TMZ, in a New York Times interview just last year she had joked about how her black friend blended into the background, and how she could barely see him. Seeing her current situation it was only a matter of time before these claims actually surfaced.
The interview happened in Fall 2012 in New York City and Ms. Deen was explaining how her great grandfather was sadened by the results of the civil war, and just how his plantation wouldn't know how to operate without "help." She furthered this argument by saying that "black folk were such integral parts of our lives."
Apparently they also were not "folk" they were slaves.
She further speaks about how prejudice will never fully be gone, and that "black people feel the same prejudice that white people feel."
At this point the wait is over. She pulls the "some of my best friends are black!" card and brings out a "a young man" she wants everyone to meet named Hollis Johnson and says "Come out here Hollis. We can’t see you standing against that dark board." This is after she describes him as being "black as that board." A year later she has been caught using a racial slur and is being canned from the Food network.
Now in her current situation she has released a statement regarding her dismissal from the network to CNN late friday night, and is thanking them for some great years according to Us Weekly:
"I have had the pleasure of being allowed into so many homes across the country and meeting people who have shared with me the most touching and personal stories," she said. "This would not have been possible without the Food Network. Thank you again. Love and best dishes to all of ya'll."
Although we are wishing the best for Ms. Paula Deen, there is no denying that some things were said during her Food Network Reign.