“I am learning and will continue to learn how to be anti-racist.”
Great week for people on The old guy apologize, huh?
Let’s try to unpack this one as easily as possible: it turns out the stream is Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell attended an Antebellum-themed party – and then asked former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay Bachelor host Chris Harrison on it Extra, Harrison blew it properly.
Yesterday he apologized.
Now it’s Kirkconnell’s turn.
“I’m here to say I was wrong,” Kirkconnell said in her statement after acknowledging “truths that have come to light that I need to address.”
“At one point I did not realize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that did not excuse them,” she said.
“My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. It is in no sense good or acceptable. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”
Shortly after Kirkconnell’s apology was posted, several contestants from this season of The old guy identified as BIPOC made a statement on social media on behalf of “Twenty-five women who identify themselves as BIPOC [who] was cast on this historic season that was meant to represent change. ‘
“We are deeply disappointed and want to make it clear that we are denouncing any defense of racism,” the statement said. “Any defense of racist conduct denies the lived and ongoing experiences of BIPOC individuals. These experiences may not be exploited or recorded.”
“Rachel Lindsay continues to plead with ‘mercy’ for individuals who identify themselves as BIPOC in this franchise,” the statement continued, apparently referring to Lindsay’s interview with Harrison. “Just because she’s talking the loudest doesn’t mean she’s alone.”
“We stand with her, we hear her and we plead for change with her.”
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