“Bachelor” alum Victoria Fuller — who sparked outrage earlier this year over her alleged ties to “White Lives Matter” attire — spoke out on Monday in support of Black Lives Matter while also addressing her controversial past.
“I’d first like to say, I have been a part of the problem,” Fuller wrote in a lengthy Instagram post accompanied with black and white photos from a protest in her hometown of Virginia Beach. “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.”
Fuller, a 26-year-old medical sales rep, faced backlash in January after photos surfaced of her allegedly modeling “White Lives Matter” merchandise. A month later, Cosmopolitan announced it would be pulling its digital cover that featured the reality star as a result.
Fuller later issued an apology on social media.
“I would like to sincerely apologize for my involvement with We Love Marlins. My intention was only to support an endangered species,” she said at the time. “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, who finished third on Peter Weber’s season of “The Bachelor” earlier this year, added Monday she does not “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,” Fuller continued. “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.”
Fuller then spoke at length about the Black Lives Matter movement and provided her followers with an explanation of white privilege.
“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 said.
She continued, “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.”
At the end of the post, Fuller outlined several actions followers can take to educate themselves further on the issue of race and racism, adding “First and foremost; EDUCATE yourself. As I will continue to do everyday.”
Fuller also participated in “Blackout Tuesday,” posting a black square to her Instagram page as a sign of solidarity in the wake of nationwide protests over Floyd’s death. Floyd died last month as former Minneapolis cop Derek Chauvin was caught on camera pressing his knee into Floyd’s neck.
Chauvin has since been fired and charged with murder and manslaughter.
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