Erich Schwer apologizes after being called out for a blackface photo

The Bachelorette finalist Erich Schwer issues an apology after he faced backlash over a yearbook photo of him wearing blackface.

Here is everything you need to know.

Erich Schwer responds after being slammed for school blackface photo

Erich Schwer recently became a hot topic on social media after a few controversial high school photos of him started surfacing on the internet.

A Reddit user most recently shared a traditional yearbook photo of Schwer where he appears to be wearing blackface. 

Moreover in the image, Schwer wore an Afro wig and paired them with dark color makeup on his face. He was further sporting a  colorful shirt.

Schwer captioned the yearbook photo with a quote that read, ‘It was swell.’

Nevertheless, the 29-year-old real estate analyst quickly garnered tons of criticism from social media users.

However, Schwer took to Instagram to apologize for his actions on Thursday afternoon. He shared an image of a blank black square.

CW: racist Erich in blackface is reprehensibly disgusting 🤮 #thebachelorette #bachelorette https://t.co/eEsjx4Xf6v pic.twitter.com/dWDeY3XLK1

— Black Lives Matter | #TheBachelorette (@realitynrose) September 8, 2022

Schwer outlined the post with a caption that read, ‘I wholeheartedly apologize for the insensitive photo of me in Blackface from my high school yearbook that has been circulating.

He added, ‘What I thought at the time was a representation of my love for Jimi Hendrix, was nothing but ignorance.’

Schwer further wrote, ‘I was naïve to the hurtful implications of my actions to the Black community and those closest to me. I will forever regret my offensive and damaging behavior.’

He concluded the message with, ‘I am deeply ashamed of my actions and understand that my apology is only the first step in taking accountability.’

Social media users react to Erich Schwer’s apology

Many fans lauded Erich Schwer for publicly apologizing for his mistake. They took to the comment section of his post to show their appreciation.

One fan said, ‘All it takes is admittance and repentance. Keep at it, continue to be better!’

Furthermore, someone else chimed in saying, ‘The best thing you can do now just proves you mean what you say about taking accountability. That’s the correct way to apologize. I wish you luck.’

However, despite Schwer’s apology, many users were still not happy as they continue to weigh in on the blackface image.

A user wrote, ‘I get Erich apologized for his blackface in high school. But let’s be honest if that photo never resurfaced he would have never apologized.’

A different user commented, ‘bachelorette is gonna be a joke if they bring up Nate and his two girlfriends and not Erich doing blackface on a YEARBOOK.’

at this point what lead doesn't have stuff like this come out about them 🤦‍♀️ im tired

— bach memes (@thebachelwhore) September 8, 2022

I flipped through it. The event was a "Night of the Stars" fundraiser they do every year. I have no idea who Erich was supposed to be. I didn't see anyone else in blackface, but a group of students came as the Jamaican bobsled team, complete with caps and bobsled. Old even then.

— Future Chris Harrison (@FutureHarrison) September 8, 2022

This pic with his “second family” wearing MAGA hats came out a bit ago so sadly I’m not surprised 😬 pic.twitter.com/XKC4usGuRX

— lex 🌙 💫 (@you1are1in1love) September 8, 2022

• Also read: Titles of Prince William & Kate Middleton are officially changed after Queen Elizabeth’s death

Maddii

Maddii is your typical nerd with a voracious appetite for books. She loves midnight snacking.