Bachelor Matt James says he's 'troubled and devastated' over Chris Harrison’s 'failure to understand US' racist history'
THE Bachelor star Matt James said it was "troubling to watch" Chris Harrison's "failure to understand" the racist history of the Antebellum South in his interview with Rachel Lindsay.
The 29-year-old broke his silence regarding the longtime host's recent controversy in an Instagram post on Monday.
Earlier this month, The Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell sparked outrage when photos resurfaced of her dressed up at a controversial "Old South" bash in 2018.
During an interview with former The Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay, Chris asked fans to show “compassion” for the current contestant.
The host also claimed the racism problems were “okay” in 2018 but “not in 2021,” while adding he’s “not the woke police.”
On Monday, Matt shared a text post that read: "The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging of my life, and while there are several episodes left of the season, it is important that I take the time to address the troubling information that has come to light since we wrapped filming, including the incredibly disappointing photos of Rachael Kirkconnell and the interview between Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison.
"The reality is that I'm learning about these situations in real time, and it has been devastating and heartbreaking to put it bluntly.
"Chris's failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch.
"As Black people and allies immediately knew and understood, it was a clear reflection of a much larger issue that The Bachelor franchise has fallen short of addressing adequately for years."
Matt concluded: "I will continue to process this experience, and you will hear more from me in the end.
"My greatest prayer is that this is an inflection point that results in real and institutional change for the better."
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