“Single” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell has broken her silence following backlash against her – and the show itself – amid allegations that she was allegedly involved in racially insensitive social media posts and was photographed at a plantation-themed party during her studies .
“While there are rumors, there are also truths that I need to address. I hear you, and I’m here to say I was wrong, ”she wrote via Instagram on Thursday. “At one point I didn’t recognize how insulting and racist my actions were, but that’s no excuse for them. My age or when it happened nothing apologizes. They are in no way acceptable or okay. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist. “
Kirkconnell, 24, continued, “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 no one’s responsibility to educate me. I am learning and will continue to learn how to be anti-racist because it is important to speak in the moment and not after you have been called. If you are someone who does not understand the violation in question, I recommend that you learn from my mistakes and encourage you to use them as a learning opportunity. “
Kirkconnell also noted how her family encouraged her to “ have my own views, opinions and beliefs. ”
“While I was thinking about what to say, I had to think about how sick people must be reading these kinds of statements; how a person did not realize what trauma his actions would inflict on other people. It must be so exhausting. I want to put my energy into keeping people from making the same insulting mistakes that I made in the first place, and I hope I can prove this to you in the future, ”said Kirkconnell.
“Racial progress and unity are impossible without (white) accountability, and I deserve to be held accountable for my actions. I will never grow unless I recognize that what I have done is wrong, ”she concluded. “I don’t think one apology means I deserve your forgiveness, but rather I hope I can earn your forgiveness through my future actions.”
‘Bachelor’ presenter Chris Harrison, 49, also came under fire this week for saying fans should offer Kirkconnell ‘a little grace, a little understanding’ in an interview with ‘Extra’ co-host Rachel Lindsay – the first black ‘Bachelorette’ in franchise history – and then apologized.
Kirkconnell, vying for the affection of James, the first black “Bachelor,” is said to be a front runner this season.