Multiple media sources have reported that southern cooking show host Paula Deen’s television show would not be renewed by The Food Network. The fallout came after it was revealed that Deen had admitted using a derogatory word for African Americans in a May deposition.
Deen issued an emotional video taped apology on Friday before the network announced that they would not renew her show when the contract expires this month.
Now, the public is weighing in.
A Facebook page started to show support for Deen, We support Paula Deen, gained 14,000 “likes” in just under an hour, going from 124,000 to 138,000.
The Facebook page moderator posted, “Recently Food Network personality Paula Deen has issued an apology for statements that she has made in the past. Let’s support her as she moves forward from this time. Paula is a person just like all of us and we all make mistakes.”
Meanwhile, AcessAtlanta.com, an online partner of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, reports that The Food Network is feeling the wrath of Deen supporters on the network’s Facebook page.
“Paula Deen fans outraged that the Food Network is firing her over her past use of racial slurs are venting on the network’s Facebook page,” Jennifer Brett of accessatlanta.com wrote.
While there were posts supporting the network, the overwhelming majority are in support of Deen.
“Make the punishment fit the ‘crime,’ Mike Marino posted. “I am a long-time member of the NAACP and I am absolutely opposed to the action taken by the Food Network. This could have been used as a teachable moment rather than a hasty overreaction. You just lost me and mine over this,”