There’s one other Bachelor Nation season in full swing, which apparently means it’s time for another disappointing racism scandal.
After all, the final high-profile s**t present was Rachael Kirkconnell‘s outdated antebellum-themed party photo fracas that got here out when she was on Matt James‘ season of The Bachelor. That controversy completely derailed James’ season on the present, and even led to Chris Harrison getting booted as the series’ host. Now, it seems we’re again there once more with a finalist on the present season of The Bachelorette. Buckle up for this one, y’all…
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After all, this season boasts double main women, with Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia each vying for love from two fortunate males. And for Gabby’s half, she’s obtained only one contestant left within the combine: hunky 29-year-old Erich Schwer. So think about the shock when outdated highschool yearbook footage surfaced on Twitter earlier this week of the actual property analyst in blackface.
Significantly???
Within the pic, Schwer might be seen carrying an Afro-style wig along with his pores and skin coated in black cosmetics. As you possibly can see (beneath), the yearbook outs Schwer immediately within the picture, with a quote of his (“It was swell”) posted proper alongside:
This man is 29 years outdated! Which means this pic was taken, what, just a little over a decade in the past?! We’re not excusing any blackface pics, however deciding to take one in 2011 or no matter is insane! It’s by no means been acceptable and it’s actually (actually, actually, REALLY) not OK in trendy occasions! How do folks nonetheless wrestle with this reality?? Disgrace on the college for permitting this costume and even together with it of their yearbook…
Responding to the controversy on Twitter, followers of the present let Schwer understand how they really feel (beneath):
“at this level what lead doesn’t have stuff like this come out about them. im drained”
“His highschool put that within the yearbook?!?!? That’s much more regarding.”
“Each first rate man on #thebachelorette appears to have a problematic skeleton in his closet.”
“Do they not vet contestants anymore!? If he would do one thing as disgusting as blackface I’m certain there’s much more skeletons in his closet. When will they lastly make it a precedence to totally vet contestants earlier than letting them on the present.”
“Can they simply… I dunno ask the lads level clean. Have you ever ever carried out blackface? Like what’s the vetting course of lol”
“It’s ironic that he was a ‘Peer Chief’ whereas setting the instance of blackface to the scholar physique. Yikes”
No kidding!
As some followers identified, possibly this controversy shouldn’t be an enormous shock. In any case, again in July, one other picture resurfaced of Schwer hanging with associates — a few of whom had been carrying “Make America Nice Once more” hats (beneath):
That f**king crimson hat…
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On Thursday afternoon, Schwer popped up on Instagram to deal with the blackface picture. To his credit score, the truth TV star really gave a contrite apology about it, at the same time as he excused the occasion itself along with his “love for Jimi Hendrix.” Uh-huh. Gabby’s man wrote on IG (beneath):
“I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive picture of me in Blackface from my highschool yearbook that has been circulating. What I assumed on the time was a illustration of my love for Jimi Hendrix, was nothing however ignorance. I used to be naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black group and people closest to me, and can without end remorse my offensive and damaging habits. I’m deeply ashamed by my actions and perceive that my apology is just step one in taking accountability.”
It’s like clockwork at this level.
It’ll be fascinating to see the place issues go from right here on the present. Like we talked about, Schwer is barreling in the direction of the ultimate with Gabby’s coronary heart in his palms. Guess we’ll see quickly sufficient!
What do y’all consider this controversy, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF along with your take down within the feedback (beneath)…
[Image via Bachelor Nation/YouTube]