“The Bachelor” host Chris Harrison says he’s been working with a “race educator” ever since getting blasted by leftists on social media for daring to defend a show contestant who’d once worn an Antebellum costume at a college party.
In an interview earlier this year, Harrison, who hosts the popular reality dating show, defended “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell, who’d come under fire after pictures circulated showing her wearing a costume to a 1800s Southern-themed frat party in 2018. Social media also lit up with unverified allegations that she’d once shamed a friend for dating a non-white man, and the fact that her parents reportedly voted for Donald Trump for president.
“We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion,” Harrison had said at the time. “Because I have seen some stuff online — this judge, jury, executioner thing where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart and diving into, like, her parents, her parents’ voting record. It’s unbelievably alarming to watch this.”
Harrison added that a person’s entire life shouldn’t be destroyed for something they did back in college, when social standards were different and certain things weren’t necessarily seen as offensive.
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But after facing backlash for his comments, the TV host has since apologized and condemned Kirkconnell’s actions, saying he understands that he helped perpetuate racism. He’s even turned tail on the contestant he once defended, now saying he understands that “Antebellum parties are not OK - past, present, future, knowing what that represents is unacceptable.”
“I am an imperfect man I made a mistake and I own that,” Harrison told Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America.” “I believe that mistake doesn’t reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to the progress not just for myself also for the franchise.”
And according to Page Six, Harrison’s also working with an actual professional “race educator” to help train him out of his white supremacist ways.
Harrison also said he’s been working with race educator Dr. Eric Dyson, who has taught him the idea of “counsel, not cancel.” As a result, Harrison said he’s taken “full accountability” for his actions and is learning from the black community by listening.
“Racism, oppression, these are big dynamic problems and they take serious work. I am committed to that work,” he told GMA, adding that he will be returning to The Bachelor - assuming his penance has been completed.
Nothing like a good ol’ brainwashing to convince you you’re a racist when you’re not.