My mom is upset Deen got fired, and is taking her side

Personally I don't care either way. I found her comment more funny than offensive tbh, and it was 30 years ago...but still, I understand why Wal Mart/Food Network wouldn't want to be associated with that image.
I'm far more annoyed by Deen's "how come they say the n-word and don't get in trouble" defense. You don't see non-Polish people calling Polish people "polacks" nor can most straight people get away with calling a gay person a "cigarillo." I'm tired of people pretending like black people are the only people to turn a derogatory name into a term of endearment.