Earlier this week, Emily Ratajkowski took to Instagram to share her support for the ongoing protests calling for an end to police brutality and the systemic injustices carried out against black people, not least seen by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
Sharing a series of photos of her at a demonstration on Wednesday, the model wrote to her 26.5 million followers: "DISMANTLE POWER STRUCTURES OF OPPRESSION #defundthepolice #justiceforgeorgefloyd #blacklivesmatter"
Since that initial post, Ratajkowski has continued to support the Black Lives Matter movement on social media, and was later pictured at another protest alongside her husband, producer Sebastian Bear-McClard.
However, Bear-McClard has issued an apology for "casually" using the n-word after being called out by a friend of the star.
On Wednesday, Ratajkowski posted on Instagram a now-deleted post about the nationwide unrest, writing: "Feel so useless".
But Style writer Danielle Prescod replied, calling out Ratajkowski's husband, saying: "I actually have an idea. You could start by talking to your husband, a white man, who has used the n-word repeatedly in my presence. So much so that another black friend was so disgusted she left (the party where he said it). Another black woman had the same exact experience."
Prescod did proceed to give the 28-year-old supermodel the benefit of the doubt, saying that she had "probably never seen this behavior" from her husband, but added:
"I would like you to address the issues in your home and then you can help us out here. I would like you to ask him what he can do differently … I mean this with the utmost sincerity. It was hurtful and abusive."
Now, Bear-McClard has taken to Twitter to apologize, writing:
"I used a word casually like it was mine to use. It’s not, it never was, and never will be. In the past few years I’ve learned a lot about my privilege as a man and as a white person and about the history of racism in this country.
"Owning our missteps is a crucial part of changing the way the world operates. I’m embarrassed and ashamed and I sincerely apologize to everyone who I may have hurt."
In addition, Prescod has since told Page Six: "I didn’t say it to shame her or make it seem like she isn’t as committed as possible, but it is frustrating to see that she has access to millions of people and she is actually giving advice to people on how to actively approach ending racism.
"I think it is hypocritical if you are not taking responsibility for things you can control in your life and your home to protect the black community.”
Unrest continues to unfold across the US, as protests - some peaceful, some violent - are calling out the systemic injustices carried out against black people, not least seen by the recent deaths of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor.
As well as a call for justice, these ongoing protests are also demanding an end to police brutality and the racism that is so deeply entrenched in America and the western world.
The message is simple: Black lives matter.
VT proudly supports Black Lives Matter, and for ways to contribute to the cause, please click HERE.
