“Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kenya Moore and the Bravo chain apologized after the reality show star was filmed wearing a Native American headdress that was considered “offensive” and “racist”.
Bravo’s 50-year-old personality took responsibility for his costume, which was shown during the Halloween-themed episode on Sunday.
“I sincerely want to apologize for inappropriately using the Native American headdress as a fantasy. Now I realize that it was disrespectful and insensitive and I never would have done it if I had this knowledge and understanding beforehand,” said Moore in a statement shared with News of the fox.
She went on to say that the costume is something she regrets.
‘REAL HOUSEWIVES’ STAR TINSLEY MORTIMER AND SCOTT KLUTH END ENGAGEMENT
Cast of ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’ portrayed from left to right: Porsha Williams, Kandi Burruss Tucker, Kenya Moore, NeNe Leakes, Eva Marcille, Cynthia Bailey.
(Tommy Garcia / Bravo)
“When you know better, you do better. I’m really sorry,” concluded Moore.
Bravo also responded to the reaction with a statement of his own shared with Fox News.
“Bravo aims to have the highest standards of respect and inclusion and we recognize that the recent episode of The Real Housewives of Atlanta, in which a cast member wears an American Indian costume, did not defend these values. We hoped that would provide a moment However, in retrospect, it is clear that the network did not address this adequately, given the seriousness of the situation. We apologize to both the Native American community and our audience as a whole, “the statement said.
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Criticism of Moore’s clothing came first from the activist group IllumiNative, which is led by native peoples. The group issued a long statement on Instagram the day after the episode aired.
Kenya Moore says she regrets using the fantasy, which was considered racist and offensive by the non-profit organization IllumiNatives.
(Tommy Garcia / Bravo)
“We are deeply troubled by last night’s episode of #RHOA, in which @KenyaMoore wore an American Indian ‘warrior princess’ costume,” wrote IllumiNatives.
“Costumes that mock native peoples, defame our traditions and cultures and perpetuate negative stereotypes are racist,” continued the nonprofit. “‘Playing Indian’ is a form of mascot that is not just offensive, it is part of a long history of how indigenous peoples were dehumanized.”
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The group said at the time that it was “concerned that none of the producers or executives” at Bravo, Comcast and NBC Universal did not intervene before it aired.
The nonprofit’s Instagram account notes that its initiative is “to increase the visibility of the natives in American society”.