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Tituss Burgess Reacts To Ellie Kemper's Prophet Apology

 2 years ago
source link: https://www.buzzfeed.com/mariasherm2/tituss-burgess-reacts-ellie-kemper-racism-apology
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Last week, news broke that Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt actor Ellie Kemper won a 1999 beauty pageant at a ball that has racist and antisemitic origins.

Ellie Kemper participates in Universal Television's FYC "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" panel at UCB Sunset Theater on May 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California

Rachel Luna / Via Getty

She was crowned the "Veiled Prophet Queen of Love and Beauty" by the Veiled Prophet organization, which was cofounded by a former Confederate officer. Black and Jewish people were banned from the organization until 1979.

Kemper issued an apology on Instagram a few days later.

@elliekemper / Via instagram.com

"When I was 19 years old, I decided to participate in a debutante ball in my hometown," she began. "The century-old organization that hosted the debutante ball had an unquestionably racist, sexist, and elitist past."

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"I was not aware of this history at the time, but ignorance is no excuse. I was old enough to have educated myself before getting involved," she wrote.

Ellie Kemper in conversation with Shienelle Jones on NBC's "TODAY"

NBCUniversal / Via Getty

"I unequivocally deplore, denounce, and reject white supremacy. At the same time, I acknowledge that because of my race and my privilege, I am the beneficiary of a system that has dispensed unequal justice and unequal rewards," she continued.

"I want to apologize to the people I've disappointed, and I promise that moving forward I will listen, continue to educate myself, and use my privilege in support of the better society I think we're capable of becoming."

"I love my Ellie ❤️," he wrote in the caption. "Oh, & P.S. Next time, just ask me, I’ll tell ya what to do 🥰"

Tituss Burgess and Ellie Kemper pose at the arrivals for the opening night of the new musical based on the cult film "Mean Girls" on Broadway at The August Wilson Theatre on April 8, 2018 in New York City

Bruce Glikas / FilmMagic / Via Getty

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For more on the history of the Veiled Prophet Ball, check out BuzzFeed News' reporting.


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