Gabby Windey’s ‘Bachelorette’ Finalist Erich Schwer Apologizes After Blackface Photo Resurfaces

usmagazine.com:

As Bachelor Nation prepares to find out whether Gabby Windey and Erich Schwer have a future together, the Bachelorette season 19 finalist is apologizing for his past.“I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating,” the 29-year-old New Jersey native began on Thursday, September 8, via Instagram. “What I thought at the time was a representation of my love for Jimi Hendrix, was nothing but ignorance.

I was naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me, and will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior.”He concluded: “I am deeply ashamed by my actions and understand that my apology is only the first step in taking accountability.”Erich’s statement comes shortly after the yearbook photo of him in blackface surfaced on social media.

He is Gabby’s only remaining suitor as Johnny DePhillipo and Jason Alabaster were eliminated during their respective overnight dates because they weren’t ready to propose.

Erich is set to meet the ICU nurse’s family in the two-part finale and will ultimately decide if he wants to get on one knee.Nate Mitchell, who also competed for Gabby’s affections, reacted to Erich’s apology on Thursday.“Appreciate you taking ownership bro, I can’t absolve you of this but I can attest to the man I’ve met and you have been nothing less than someone who I’d consider a friend,” he wrote. “You aren’t the first person I’ve befriended with a similar past and the difference is not having an attitude of willful ignorance.