“I am learning and will continue to learn how to be anti-racist.”
Great week for people from The bachelor apologizing, huh?
Let’s try to unpack this one as easily as possible: So, it turns out that the current Not married competitor Rachael Kirkconnell attended an Antebellum themed party – and when former single Rachel Lindsay asked Not married presenter Chris Harrison about it in Extra, Harrison pretty much blew it.
Yesterday, he apologized.
Now, it’s Kirkconnell’s turn.
“I am here to say that I am wrong,” Kirkconnell said in his statement after acknowledging “truths that have surfaced and that I need to address.”
“At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that didn’t excuse them,” she said.
“My age or when it happened doesn’t justify anything. They are not ok or acceptable in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”
Shortly after Kirkconnell’s apology was posted, several contestants from this season’s The bachelor who identify themselves as BIPOC represent a statement to social media on behalf of “Twenty-five women who identify themselves as BIPOC [who] were launched this historic season that should represent a change. “
“We are deeply disappointed and we want to make it clear that we denounce any defense of racism,” says the statement. “Any defense of racist behavior negates the lived and continued experiences of BIPOC individuals. These experiences should not be explored or symbolized.”
“Rachel Lindsay continues to ‘grace’ those individuals who identify themselves as BIPOC within this franchise,” continued the statement, apparently referring to Lindsay’s interview with Harrison. “Just because she is speaking louder does not mean that she is alone.”
“We are with her, we listen to her and we advocate change alongside her.”
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