Greer Blitzer, a contestant on the latest season of “The Bachelor,” apologized for the second time for defending a former classmate who dressed up in a racist costume at a Halloween party. This time it was an apology in front of a live audience in the studio.
In October, during the filming of the 27th season of ABC’s reality dating show, which had previously contended with racism. A screenshot of the deleted tweet has surfaced on Reddit showing Blitzer defending her friend. Her friend was in her sophomore year at Lamar High School in Houston. which Blitzer, 18, had studied. “Stupid but not racist,” and that “it wasn’t intentional racism.”
Shortly after the season’s premiere aired in January. Greer issued her first apology in her Instagram story, writing: “In my past I make uneducated, uneducated, and straightforward comments on my social media accounts. In particular, in 2016, I used a misguided argument on Twitter to defend students dressed as Tupac in Blackface for Halloween.”
“I am deeply sorry for those who have caused me pain. Especially people in the black community. Not because these screenshots reappeared. It was because I shared those hurtful opinions,” the 24-year-old continued, adding that her young age. Not an excuse for her actions.
Greer is originally from Houston. However, Shallcross eventually decides not to give Greer a rose on a hometown date, which sends Greer home.
She again confronted the issue on Tuesday’s episode. The eliminated contestants sat down with host Jesse Palmer for a brief interview. in front of a live audience
Palmer acknowledged the show’s history of racist incidents, acknowledging that “as a franchise, I’m a fan of racism.” We’ve done a really bad job in the past when it comes to serious topics.”
“I want to mention this matter. I don’t want to hide it under the rug,” Blitzer began. “What I didn’t mention in my apology is that what happened was racist. It’s not about intent. it’s about the effect And this acquaintance of mine who I know showing black face is racist. I defend it as racism. My ignorance is racist. and i feel so ashamed I just deeply regret that I hurt the black community.”
She said she was studying the history of Blackface. Blitzer had previously met Kira Banks, a psychology professor at St. Louis University and an expert on diversity, equality and inclusion, in the audience. now
“I think it’s important to name and comment when racism occurs,” Banks said. “The truth is, we can’t escape racism. We can be right, but what are we going to do? What are we going to do? That’s why it’s so important that it’s not just performance. But it has to educate yourself to be ready to understand the history behind the action and to be willing to do something different.”
Season 27 contestant Alyssa Jacobs, who is black, said: “It’s painful to hear and see things,” Greer said on Twitter, according to People, but she said she “respects” Greer “always in the face.”
For years, fans of the Black show have been calling out for the lack of diversity among the contestants and leaders. Until after the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the online campaign that ABC producers picked up for Matt. James stars as the first black lead on “The Bachelor.”
That season was overshadowed by racism when Chris Harrison, the host at the time, gave a controversial “special” interview to Rachel. Lindsay, the first black woman In which he defends Season 25 contestant Rachel Kirkconnell attending a 2018 fraternity party with a minority Southern group titled A Time When Slavery Was Legal in the Southern States.
after the interview Harrison quickly apologized. But ultimately left the series after 19 years of hosting franchises that included “The Bachelorette.”
In 2020, Lindsay threatened to cut ties with the franchise if it didn’t commit to more diversity. She called for hiring more diverse producers, refraining from “problematic storytelling” for people of color, and seeking out leads with experience in interracial dating.
During Lindsay’s “Single” season, fans attacked her online with racism.
A racist tweet from Lee Garrett, one of that season’s contestants, then surfaced online. Garrett said of the Black Lives Matter movement, “terrorist group” and in another tweetAsked, “What’s the difference between the NAACP and the KKK? Wait…everybody has the feeling of being ashamed to cover up their racist faces.”
and last fall, contestant Erich Schwer. “Bachelorette” season 19 was fired for another blackface incident. A Reddit user posted a picture of Schwer’s high school yearbook dressed as Jimi Hendrix with his face painted black. Engaged to Gabby Windey
Both men have since apologized.
