'GET EDUCATED'
The Bachelor’s Chris Harrison ‘must understand he was wrong,’ Rachel Lindsay claims as he quits for ‘defending racism’
Bachelor host, Chris Harrison, "needs to understand he was wrong" for "defending racism", claims Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay.
, 49, after defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's attendance at a "racist" plantation-style party in 2018.
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Chris sparked backlash when he was asked about the controversy surrounding , while being interviewed by Rachel.
Rachael had attended an old south antebellum party thrown by the college fraternity, Kappa Alpha - while at in 2018.
She was also in the past.
One snap that she liked shows two Caucasian women dressed in a hula outfit posing in front of a Confederate flag.
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, saying: “We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion.
"Because I've seen some stuff online… again, this 'judge, jury, executioner' thing where people are just tearing this girl's life apart.
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He continued: “I haven't heard Rachael speak on this yet, and until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say [anything]?”
Discussing Chris' comments this week, Rachel said on Extra TV: "He needs to take time to get educated and on a profound and productive level to use his word."
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She went on: "And I think he needs to understand what was done, what was wrong, and what he said in that interview, and he needs time."
Chris apologized on social media after facing a slew of criticism from viewers .
He penned: "The historic season of The Bachelor should not be marred or overshadowed by my mistakes or diminished by my actions.
"To that end, I have consulted with Warner Bros. and ABC and will be stepping aside for a period of time and will not join for the After the Final Rose special. I am dedicated to getting educated on a more profound and productive level than ever before.”
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When asked how she felt about his apology, Rachel said: "It wasn't an apology. The apology came after the fact.
"So it's hard for me to fully accept it. I'm going to need that time and space and compassion that he referenced to really accept the apology, because [Chris wasn’t] apologetic at first.
"I’m not saying I can’t get there, it’s just, initially, it’s a little tough for me."
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Rachel added that his comments in the interview with her were symptomatic of "implicit racism."
She explained: "Because when you think of racism, you think explicit racism… you think wearing a white hood, you know? Saying things that are derogatory or offensive.
"That's explicit racism, but then there's implicit racism where you have these unconscious biases and stereotypes and misconceptions of certain groups, and that's what we were seeing in that interview."
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Rachel added: "I think it was a moment for people to recognize what was being said and to learn and grow from it, which is what we're seeing happen now with Chris."
Chris' girlfriend, Lauren Zima - who has been dating the presenter since 2018 - in a statement this week.
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The ET correspondent wrote on Instagram: “What Chris said was wrong and disappointing. Defending racism can never happen.
“Accountability comes first, what’s next is learning and growth.”
The Bachelor host Chris Harrison 'defends' Rachael Kirkconnell's past 'racist' behaviour following antebellum party snaps
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