‘Bachelor’ Star Victoria Fuller Shares Post Addressing Her Past ‘White Lives Matter’ Controversy

OPINION | This article contains commentary which reflects the author's opinion.

By
Natalia Kay
-
OPINION | This article contains opinion. This site is licensed to publish this content.

Victoria Fuller, a former “Bachelor” contestant, acknowedleged her previous participation in a “White Lives Matter” clothing campaign, while simultaneously supporting the Black Lives Matter movement, according to Fox News.

The 3rd runner up on “Pilot Pete’s” season of “The Bachelor” took to Instagram to share images of protesters in her hometown of Virginia Beach.

“I’d first like to say, I have been a part of the problem. And for that I am sorry. Being naive, staying silent, or not educating ourselves of the ongoing racism in our country IS contributing to the problem. Period. I don’t want to be a part of the problem,” she wrote. “I’ve taken time to educate myself, read, listen & although I can never fully grasp or understand I am willing to keep learning. This isn’t a trend. This is a societal problem that needs change. & hopefully I can use my platform as a way to educate and continue everyday to learn from others.”

“The BLM movement has fought to create a world free of anti-Blackness, where every Black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive,” Fuller wrote in her latest post.

“Understanding White Privilege: White privilege are benefits granted to those because the color of their skin; in other words, purely on the basis of our skin color doors are open to us that are not open to other people. Far too many of us who are closer in proximity to being white erroneously believe that we do not have to take the issues of systematic oppression seriously or don’t feel the need to speak up. So now we have a choice. We can continue to use unearned privilege to remain ignorant, or can put aside the color of our skin in order to see clearly and live differently.”

View this post on Instagram

These images were sent to me by @barryclarrk of a protest that happened in my hometown Virginia Beach this past weekend. I’d first like to say, I have been a part of the problem. And for that I am sorry. Being naive, staying silent, or not educating ourselves of the ongoing racism in our country IS contributing to the problem. Period. I don’t want to be a part of the problem. I’ve taken time to educate myself, read, listen & although I can never fully grasp or understand I am willing to keep learning. This isn’t a trend. This is a societal problem that needs change. & hopefully I can use my platform as a way to educate and continue everyday to learn from others— The BLM movement has fought to create a world free of anti-Blackness, where every Black person has the social, economic, and political power to thrive. Understanding White Privilege: White privilege are benefits granted to those because the color of their skin; in other words, purely on the basis of our skin color doors are open to us that are not open to other people. Far too many of us who are closer in proximity to being white erroneously believe that we do not have to take the issues of systematic oppression seriously or don’t feel the need to speak up. So now we have a choice. We can continue to use unearned privilege to remain ignorant, or can put aside the color of our skin in order to see clearly and live differently. “Not to decide is to decide”—Harvey Cox Decide. Do better. Be better. #blacklivesmatter #justiceforgeorgefloyd WHAT WE CAN DO: 1. First and foremost; EDUCATE yourself. As I will continue to do everyday. 2. Pick up a book/tune into an audible to READ like White Fragility(one that I have started) or articles sourced on the internet. 3. WATCH a documentary. A good one I found on Netflix was “13th”; a microscopic insight to what the black community goes through 4. DONATE to organizations like Reclaim the Block linked: https://secure.everyaction.com/zae4prEeKESHBy0MKXTIcQ2 5. And take time to REFLECT. Something that I personally asked myself before deciding to post this “in what ways does my proximity to whiteness afford me privileges that are not extended to Black people?”

A post shared by Victoria Fuller (@vlfuller) on

“I want to say that I unequivocally reject the beliefs of the white lives matter movement or any propaganda that supports racism of any kind,” Fuller wrote at the time. “I would like to specifically apologize to people of color that are affected by racism daily. It was never my intention to add fuel to the racial fire in this country. This has truly been an educational moment for me and I hope to be a voice against racism moving forward. I hope I can be shown grace as I navigate through this process.”

More from Fox News:

The reality star previously issued an apology to fans after her participation in a “White Lives Matter” clothing line sparked controversy. In February, she explained that she modeled clothes for the We Love Marlins campaign, which featured apparel with “White Lives Matter” written on it, reportedly designed to reference the white marlin. However, it also featured the “Blue Lives Matter” slogan and a version of the Confederate flag. The controversy led to Cosmopolitan canceling a planned photo shoot with Fuller.

Fuller made similar promises to educate herself on the experience of the black community in the United States when issuing her apology for her involvement in the clothing campaign. At the time, she made it clear that she rejects the idea behind the use of “white lives matter” as a rallying call.