The woman who filed a harassment lawsuit against Paula Deen said Monday her suit `` has never been about the N-word , '' addressing the slur that has tarnished the celebrity chef 's image and cost her endorsements , a book deal and her TV show . The statement from Lisa Jackson was the first since the scandal began last month , when Deen 's deposition in Jackson 's suit was made public . In the deposition , Deen acknowledges using the racial slur more than once `` a very long time '' ago . In tearful interview , Deen slams 'horrible lies ' `` This lawsuit has never been about the N-word , '' Jackson says in the statement , provided to CNN 's Don Lemon by her lawyer , Matthew Billips . `` It is to address Ms. Deen 's patterns of disrespect and degradation of people that she deems to be inferior . Opinion : We use Paula Deen to give ourselves a pass . `` I may be a white woman , but I could no longer tolerate her abuse of power as a business owner , nor her condonation of Mr. Hier 's despicable behavior on a day-to-day basis . I am what I am , and I am a human being that cares about all races , and that is why I feel it is important to be the voice for those who are too afraid to use theirs . '' Jackson is a former manager at Deen 's restaurants in Savannah , Georgia . She is suing Deen and her brother , Bubba Hier , alleging they committed numerous acts of violence , discrimination and racism that resulted in the end of her five-year employment at Deen 's Lady & Sons and Bubba 's Seafood and Oyster House eateries in Savannah . Opinion : Can we forgive Deen ? Deen 's lawyer has called the allegations false , and Deen has said she does not tolerate prejudice . The chef , famous for her smiling demeanor and love of butter , has made tearful apologies that have failed to suppress the controversy . Since the scandal began , she has lost at least nine endorsements , her Food Network cooking show , and publication of her eagerly anticipated cookbook has been canceled . Comfort food , uncomfortable topics .
It is the first statement from Lisa Jackson , who filed the suit . Jackson says she is white and could not understand Deen 's ' accent ' Deen acknowledged her use of the N - word in a deposition in the case . It has earned her numerous awards , a book deal and her TV show .