The bachelorRachael Kirkconnell’s apologized.
Kirkconnell, who participates in the current season of the long series of reality shows, has faced accusations of racism since last month, when photos of her participating in a formal pre-war plantation fraternity ceremony surfaced in 2018. At the same time, a TikToker made an unverified accusation that Kirkconnell had bullied her in high school for dating a black man.
Kirkconnell is white and is competing for the heart of Matt James, the first black bachelor in the series.
“At one point, I did not recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that does not excuse them. My age or when it happened does not justify anything,” she said in a statement on Thursday afternoon. “They are not acceptable or ok in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist. I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions have harmed and offended.”
The 24-year-old said she was “ashamed” of her lack of education and that she was learning. She also encouraged others to use this as a “teaching time” to prevent anyone from making the same mistake.
She concluded by saying: “Racial progress and unity are impossible without (the whites’) responsibility and I deserve to be held responsible for my actions.” As for forgiveness, Kirkconnell said he hopes to earn it from his actions going forward.
Just the day before, Not married Presenter Chris Harrison apologized for defending Kirkconnell during an interview with Rachel Lindsay, who was the first black star in The maiden in 2017. When asked about the photos, Harrison initially said that people shouldn’t judge Kirkconnell so quickly.
“We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” he said. “Because I saw some things online – this judge, jury and executioner thing where people are destroying this girl’s life and immersing themselves in, like, their parents, their parents’ vote history. It’s incredibly alarming to watch that. I haven’t heard it yet. Rachael talk about it. Until I really hear this woman get a chance to talk, who am I to say this? I saw a picture of her at a fraternity party five years ago and that’s it.
When Lindsay said the controversial images “were not looking good,” Harrison responded by asking if he was looking good in 2018. Lindsay’s response was that “he was not looking good because she is celebrating the Old South. that party, what would I represent at that party? “
Harrison argued, “50 million people did this in 2018”.
On Wednesday, he said he regretted “speaking ill in a way that perpetuates racism”.
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