Rachael Kirkconnell, a “single” competitor, apologized for previous actions she called “racist and offensive”.
The 24-year-old, who is the pioneer of the 25th season and dating the franchise’s first black bachelor, Matt James, issued the long mea culpa on social media on Thursday.
Kirkconnell condemned his previous actions, which included going to an “Old South” themed party in 2018 at a plantation and dressing in a Native American costume.
“I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist,” she wrote. “I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions have harmed and offended. I am ashamed of my lack of education, but it is not the responsibility of anyone to educate me ”.
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She promised “to continue to learn how to be anti-racist” and that “it is important to speak in the moment and not after being called”.
The graphic designer said she expects her followers to “learn from my mistakes” and “use them as a learning moment.”
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James at their individual meeting.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
“I deserve to be held responsible for my actions,” she concluded. “I will never grow up unless I acknowledge that what I did is wrong. I don’t think an apology means I deserve your forgiveness, but I hope I can deserve it through my future actions.”
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Longtime “Bachelor” host Chris Harrison was criticized earlier this week for trying to defend Kirkconnell in an interview with former “Bachelorette” leader Rachel Lindsay at Extra.
“It is here, again, that we all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” said Harrison at the time. “I haven’t heard Rachael talk about it yet. And until I really hear this woman get a chance to speak, who am I to say any of that?”
Rachael Kirkconnell is a 24-year-old graphic designer from Alabama.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
Lindsay pointed out that the photo “was from 2018 in a part of the Old South before the war … this is not a good look.”
Harrison debated, “Well, is Rachel looking good in 2018? Or isn’t she looking good in 2021? Because there’s a big difference.”
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“It never looks good,” said Lindsay. “Because she is celebrating the Old South. If I went to that party, what would I represent in it?”
Harrison, who received a reaction to his words, made an apology statement as well.
Chris Harrison apologized for ‘speaking in a way that perpetuates racism’.
(ABC / Craig Sjodin)
“Although I don’t speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf. What I now realize that I did was to cause harm by speaking wrong in a way that perpetuates racism, so I am deeply sorry, “he wrote.
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James also addressed the photographic controversy in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.
He said in early February: “The rumors are dark and unpleasant and can ruin people’s lives. So I would give people the benefit of the doubt and, hopefully, they’ll have time to talk about it.”