Former President Jimmy Carter said embattled celebrity chef Paula Deen should be forgiven , arguing that while there 's no condoning the racial slurs she uttered , the well-known personality has been candid and apologetic . `` She was maybe excessively honest in saying that she had in the past , 30 years ago , used this terrible word , '' Carter told CNN 's Suzanne Malveaux in an interview Friday . `` I think she has been punished , perhaps overly severely , for her honesty in admitting it and for the use of the word in the distant past . She 's apologized profusely . '' Deen 's troubles began about two weeks ago when a deposition in a discrimination lawsuit was released in which she admitted using the n-word in the past . Dean has insisted she does not tolerate prejudice , but her apologies have failed to suppress the controversy . The fallout has been swift and painful . Her Southern cooking business is reeling as major brands end or suspend their ties with her , prompting the celebrity chef to seek out professional crisis-management assistance . Opinion : Can we forgive Paula Deen ? Sears Holdings is the latest brand to weigh in . The company said Friday it 's phasing out all products tied to her brand . Carter said he remembers that the n-word was used `` quite frequently '' when racial segregation was the `` law of the land '' throughout the country , not just the South , where Deen is from and resides . Deen and Southern food : Critics say credit is past due . Carter mentioned Deen 's programs in Savannah , Georgia , that benefit `` almost exclusively oppressed and poverty stricken black people . '' He advised her to get people she 's helping to speak up and `` show she 's changed in her relationship with African-Americans . '' `` My heart goes out to her but there 's no condoning the use of a word that abuses other people , '' he said . `` I 've known Paula Deen quite well for a long period of time ; I advised her to let the dust settle and make apologies . '' Carter was asked about a number of issues in the interview . The Carter Center in Atlanta is hosting a human rights forum this weekend promoting the role of religion in advancing women 's rights . In tearful interview , Deen slams 'horrible lies '
Carter says ` ` let the dust settle and make apologies '' ` ` My heart goes out to her , '' the former president says . But , Carter says , there 's no condoning abusive behavior .