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Rachel Lindsay Criticizes Rachael Kirkconnellā€™s ā€˜Vapidā€™ Instagram Attempts at Anti-Racism

Photo-Illustration: Vulture, Paras Griffin/Getty Images for Tyler Perry Studios and ABC

Remember when the most dramatic part of a Bachelor season was, like, a virgin jumping a fence in Portugal and running away from production? Simpler times. More than a week after Rachael Kirkconnell, the presumed winner of Matt Jamesā€™s current Bachelor season, apologized for her history of ā€œoffensive and racistā€ behavior, former Bachelorette lead Rachel Lindsay believes that Kirkconnellā€™s subsequent call to action is disingenuous. Speaking on Tuesdayā€™s Bachelor Party podcast, Lindsay noted how Kirkconnell recently posted a meticulously staged Instagram Story with a copy of Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man, a photo of which gave equal space to a cup of matcha tea and a fresh manicure. The 24-year-old contestant previously stated in her apology that she hoped she could ā€œearn your forgiveness through my future actions.ā€

ā€œYou almost feel like you know everything you need to know about her in that picture,ā€ Lindsay explained. ā€œThe fact that thatā€™s what she decided to do. Several people sent me that Story. Her apology was well-written, it was pretty, and it was sincere. Iā€™m not going to knock anyoneā€™s apology. But then the next step is to take action. Taking action to me isnā€™t showing everybody that youā€™re reading the book. You have such a big platform. Thereā€™s a lot of people who donā€™t necessarily understand what Chris said in the interview or why people are so upset, so this is an opportunity for you to explain that.ā€ Tenured Bachelor and Bachelorette host Chris Harrison, as Lindsay noted, is also embroiled in his own scandal: He initially defended Kirkconnellā€™s racist past. Harrison temporarily stepped down from hosting the franchise as a result, and he apologized for ā€œexcusing historical racism.ā€

ā€œVapid is the word that comes to mind,ā€ Lindsay added about Kirkconnellā€™s choice to Instagram-ify her anti-racist education. ā€œI donā€™t think it could get any worse, unless he chooses Rachael.ā€ As of Mondayā€™s Bachelor episode, three contestants remain to compete for Jamesā€™s heart: Kirkconnell, Bri Springs, and Michelle Young. Two of these women are far too good for him.

Rachel Lindsay Calls Rachael Kirkconnellā€™s Instagram ā€˜Vapidā€™