For the past several years, public discourse in America has been roiled by the kind of crude language once limited to locker rooms and dimly lit bars.

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While it reached an apex during Donald Trump's presidential campaign, it was already fomenting on call-in radio programs and cable television.

Mr Trump's own tweets and speeches only reinforced the idea that candidates, and then a president, could say things about political opponents, the media, sports stars and even members of his own staff that used to cause gasps.

So, it seemed only logical that the actress Roseanne Barr, known for her own vulgar comedy, might find safety tweeting racist remarks on social media.

After all, Barr's situation comedy, Roseanne, made a triumphant return to the airwaves in March.

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Mr Trump counts himself among her fans, tweeting his congratulations earlier this year when her show debuted to the best ratings for a situation comedy since 2014, and praising her in a speech.

But her employer, America's ABC Television, felt otherwise.

On Tuesday, ABC fired Barr, even though it had instantly renewed her show for a second season as soon as the first returns were in.

The decision was made by Channing Dungey, President of ABC Entertainment, who is African-American.

"Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent, repugnant and inconsistent with our values, and we have decided to cancel her show."

Obama's former adviser the butt of 'Ape' jibe

Dungey reached the decision after Barr fired off a set of tweets aimed at Valerie Jarrett, the former senior advisor to Barack Obama, who comes from one of the most accomplished African-American families in Chicago, the adopted home of the former US president.

Valerie Jarrett, the former senior advisor to Barack Obama, comes from one of the most accomplished African-American families in Chicago. ( Reuters: Kevin Lamarque )

Barr's volley came in response to a tweet about a WikiLeaks report that claimed the CIA spied on French presidential candidates.

She referred to Jarrett as the offspring of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Planet of the Apes film franchise.

Her tweet immediately drew outrage across the entertainment and political worlds, including a denouncement by her own co-star, Sara Gilbert, and from Joe Scarborough, a former Republican congressman turned morning TV host.

Barr deleted the offensive tweets and apologised, but the damage to her show was already done.

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Pro-Trump Roseanne a conservative voice on network TV

Barr's outburst was right in character with the persona that she has carved out for herself, as a no-holds-barred (no pun intended) conservative who backs Mr Trump.

Indeed, the whole idea of her show was to give a comedian approved by the President, and presumably admired by Trump voters, equal time on American network television.

Sorry, this video has expired NFL players take the knee during US anthem

It blunted criticism, often from Mr Trump itself, that American entertainment and media are aligned against him.

In ABC Entertainment's case, it has made a point in the past decade to feature shows with diverse casts, led by the hour-long dramas such as Scandal and How To Get Away With Murder created by African-American producer Shonda Rhimes, and including multi-cultural programs like Modern Family and Blackish.

The strong ratings for Roseanne showed the network's gamble seemed to pay off. But Barr herself misread the room, as the expression goes, apparently thinking that since her character could be controversial on TV, she could follow suit in real life.

As many people said Tuesday, the Roseanne situation brings to mind a parallel situation in the sports world.

For the past two seasons, the National Football League has been rolling with controversy over quarterback Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the National Anthem, in protest of police violence against African-Americans.

Kaepernick, who is biracial, has not landed a job with a new football team since his contract ran out in 2016. He has sued the league, alleging collusion in keeping him off the field. But his impact on NFL owners and the league has been enormous.

Last week, league owners unanimously approved a policy that directs players and team personnel to stand while the anthem is being played. Those players who don't wish to stand can remain in the locker room. If anyone on a team protests, the team will be fined.

Barr's firing on Tuesday has already caused some commentators to compare the two situations and wonder whether it might prompt a team to give him a chance at a job.

After all, this reasoning goes, Kaepernick insulted no-one by kneeling, except the NFL owners who are worried about ratings and revenue from a largely white male fan base.

Now she's likely to be painted as the victim

If Barr's comments were made in a different time, she, like Kaepernick, might never be heard from again.

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But America is no longer a place with just three major television networks. It abounds with cable channels, streaming services, and conservative television programs and talk radio where Barr most likely will be painted as a victim of the liberal entertainment industry.

Of course, she needs an agent to land work, and her talent agency dropped her on Tuesday, as the controversy stewed.

Still, for people who are sick of the vitriol enveloping the country, from the White House on down, Barr's firing was a victory for civility.

Now, watch to see whether civility will win the war, or has simply won a battle.

Micheline Maynard is a journalist and author who blocks social media accounts that use profane language.