The Bachelor's Chris Harrison apologizes for controversial "woke police" interview that "perpetuates racism"

Variety

In a 15-minute interview with Extra correspondent and former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay, Harrison defended Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell after backlash over her apparently appearing in an antebellum plantation-themed fraternity formal back in 2018, though she has not verified the authenticity of the pictures. She has also been accused of racially-insensitive behavior, including liking photos containing the Confederate flag. In the Extra interview, Harrison called out the "woke police" and spoke passionately about the need for “a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion” for Kirkconnell, whom The Bachelor Matt James has previously defended. On Wednesday evening, Harrison tweeted out an apology saying: “To my Bachelor Nation family — I will always own a mistake when I make one, so I am here to extend a sincere apology. I have this incredible platform to speak about love, and yesterday I took a stance on topics about which I should have been better informed. While I do not speak for Rachael Kirkconnell, my intentions were simply to ask for grace in offering her an opportunity to speak on her own behalf. What I now realize I have done is cause harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism, and for that I am so deeply sorry. I also apologize to my friend Rachel Lindsay for not listening to her better on a topic she has a first-hand understanding of, and humbly thank the members of Bachelor Nation who have reached out to me to hold me accountable. I promise to do better.” As The Huffington Post's Emma Gray and Claire Fallon point out, "by citing the 'woke police,' Harrison is invoking a common cudgel used by white people who seek to sidestep accountability, and insisting that the real harm is done by those who dare to voice their frustrations with a franchise that seems unable to state unequivocally that white supremacy has no place in it."