Food Network star Sunny Anderson has apologized for a tweet many felt was victim-blaming. The host of “The Kitchen” tweeted Saturday, Oct. 14 about how wrong it is for women not to report workplace sexual assault. She used her own experience as an example. (Read from the bottom up).
Anderson initially stuck to her guns.
She also questioned the motives of the women who alleged ousted film company exec Harvey Weinstein assaulted and raped them.
Swiftly, Twitter users tore into Anderson.
Sis, as someone who long supports your career, everything abt this thread is wrong. It's victim blaming, rape culture-y, and so violent.
— Jenn M. Jackson, PhD (they/them) (@JennMJacksonPhD) October 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/kelleent/status/919578054531407874
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This is not the issue here. You're way off the mark. Humans should be able to go wherever they want and not be sexually assaulted. Period.
— Jesimiel R. Jenkins (@jesimielross) October 15, 2017
https://twitter.com/EarpCousin/status/919557153039384576
Bending to pressure, Anderson deleted the “polarizing and offensive” tweets.
https://twitter.com/sunnyanderson/status/919596555090268161
But that did little — if anything — to quell the backlash.
As someone who LOVED your show and recipes, I am HORRIFIED to hear your actual thoughts on this topic.
There’s no excuse for this. pic.twitter.com/LpbE1sRWgO
— Monica (@mostlyanxiety) October 15, 2017
Nah. You said it multiple times and multiple ways. You really meant it. The internet never forgets tho, so good luck. pic.twitter.com/VvFAMfOUVA
— Denita (@DenitaElizabeth) October 15, 2017
This. Ppl make mistakes with words, but she said it over and over in different ways. Not falling for this apology at all.
— Lavanya (@Elleceepee) October 15, 2017
Definitely hurtful and insensitive.
It adds to the narrative of why so many don’t speak out. Honestly surprised considering your experience.— Candace (@FoodLoveTog) October 15, 2017
The ongoing negativity led Anderson to reply to some of her critics and commenters. The cook is adamant that she is “truly sorry.”
I was never discussing rape, but totally apologize. Never meant to hurt your feelings
— SunnyAnderson (Taylor's Version😘) (@SunnyAnderson) October 15, 2017
It's not, but in my view, you're either ready to believe I'm sincere or not. I am.
— SunnyAnderson (Taylor's Version😘) (@SunnyAnderson) October 15, 2017
Still, that was hard to understand & taken the wrong way, so I totally needed to say sorry. People I wasn't even talking about were offended
— SunnyAnderson (Taylor's Version😘) (@SunnyAnderson) October 15, 2017
Rough for whom? Just a bunch of adults that got mad and instead of talking/educating, they went to grade school barbs, meh.
— SunnyAnderson (Taylor's Version😘) (@SunnyAnderson) October 16, 2017
No, I truly am sorry. I think I totally failed at 140 characters. If you understand anything I was saying, I care more about humans than $😚
— SunnyAnderson (Taylor's Version😘) (@SunnyAnderson) October 15, 2017