During her teary interview with The Today Show's Matt Lauer, in which she tried to redeem herself in the eyes of the public after throwing around the n-word, Paula Deen said Reverend Jesse Jackson has had her back throughout the entire scandal.
"I'm heartbroken," she said, her face screwed up with emotion, eyes flashing. "I've had wonderful support from Reverend Jackson."
And, indeed, the Reverend has voiced sentiments of sympathy since news surfaced of Paula Deen's racist jokes, along with considerations for her brother's plantation-themed wedding, where Black waiters dress up as slaves.
Rev. Jesse Jackson told the Associated Press on Wednesday that he has decided to aid the Butter Baroness in attempting to patch up the broken pieces of her image. Rev. Jackson claimed Deen should not become a "sacrificial lamb" over the larger issue of racism.
Rev. Jackson also said that he and Deen had an extensive phone conversation concerning ways the celebrity chef could bounce back from spectators' skeptical eyes.
According to Rev. Jackson, Deen must be willing to accept her transgressions and make changes in her life.
"She should be reclaimed rather than destroyed," he said, adding that larger issues of job discrimination based on race, health care and the criminal justice system were more pressing race-related issues than Paula Deen's casual use of bigot lingo.
The celebrity chef's endorsement deals have been dropping, one after the other, since the scandal began. Smithfield Foods let her go first, then her main job with the Food Network was slashed.
On Wednesday, Walmart announced that they would be ending their relationship with Paula Deen Enterprises.
"We will not place new orders beyond those already committed," Danit Marquardt, the world's largest retailer's director of communications told the Wall Street Journal. "We will work with suppliers to address existing inventories and agreements."
Deen's name will also be erased from four buffet restaurants in Illinois, Mississippi, North Carolina and Indiana.
The eateries, owned by Las Vegas-based Caesars Entertainment Corp. released a statement that acknowledged Paula's "sincere apologies" for her racist commentary, but "after thoughtful consideration of their impact, we have mutually decided that it is in the best interests of both parties to part ways at this time."
