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Paula Deen wants y'all to know that she's not a racist.

The celebrity chef sat down with Today's Matt Lauer this morning to defend herself amid allegations of racism. She has already been fired by the Food Network and her sponsor Smithfield, while other sponsors, including QVC and Walmart, may soon cut ties with her.

    I believe that every creature on this Earth, every one of God's creatures, was created equal. No matter who you choose to go to bed at night with. No matter what church you go to pray. Everyone should be treated equal.


What sparked the scandal? A former manager, who worked at two of Deen's Georgia restaurants, is suing her and her brother for sexual and racial harassment. The lawsuit alleges that she and her brother Bubba Hier committed acts of violence, discrimination, and racism.

When asked point-blank by Lauer if she's a racist, Deen said, "No, no I'm not."

    As a child I was raised in a home that my father tolerated bad grades, he would tolerate maybe me breaking a curfew. He told me, he said, 'Girl, if I ever found out that you have behaved in a way where you think you're better than others, or have been unkind, your butt is gonna be mine.'


However, during her recent deposition, Deen admitted to using the N-word 30 years ago when an African American man robbed the bank where she was working at the time and held her at gunpoint.

As the interview was wrapping up, Deen addressed the audience and challenged viewers to hurl a brick at her if they've never said something they wish they could take back.

    If there's anyone out there that have never said something that they wish they could take back. If you're out there please pick up that stone and throw it so hard at my head that it kills me. Please, I want to meet you. It is what it is, and I'm not changing.


What do you think? Did Deen's emotional interview make you sympathize with her?