Paula Deen Facebook Page Growing, Could it Lead to Chef's Television Return?
In the wake of the controversy surrounding celebrity chef Paula Deen and her use of racial epithets, fans of the embattled cook have created a "We Support Paula" Facebook page.
The page was created after it was revealed that the Food Network personality would not be returning to television and has received more than 200,000 "Likes."
Shortly after the news broke, Deen released a video apology on YouTube where she begged for forgiveness.
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"I've made plenty of mistakes along the way," Deen said. "I beg you, my children, my team, my fans, my partners, I beg your forgiveness."
Although Deen admitted to using the "N-word" in the past, she insisted that she is not a racist in the statement.
"But that's just not a word that we use as time has gone on. Things have changed since the '60s in the South," CNN reported. "And my children and my brother object to that word being used in any cruel or mean behavior. As well as I do."
William Franklin, Deen's attorney, released a follow up statement by Paula Deen Enterprises where he explained his client's position.
"She was born 60 years ago, when America's South had schools that were segregated, different bathrooms, different restaurants and Americans rode in different parts of the bus. This is not today," the statement obtained by People magazine says. "To be clear, Ms. Deen does not find acceptable the use of this term under any circumstance by anyone nor condone any form of racism or discrimination."
Friends of Deen have also come to her defense expressing their support amid the fury of negative comments directed at her.
"I know her. My children have been to her house. I've been to her house, I've sat on her furniture. I've been all through her house. What racist would let a black man walk all through her house?" Pastor Gregory A. Tyson, Sr., from First Jerusalem Missionary Baptist Church in Savannah, said during an interview with WTOC Friday.
