Ellie Kemper breaks her silence after participation in ‘racist’ ball: 'Ignorance is no excuse'

Ellie Kemper has damaged her silence after previous pictures confirmed the star collaborating in a debutante ball years in the past that is linked to a company that’s been accused of racism.

“Hi guys – when I was 19 years old, I decided to participate in a debutante ball in my hometown,” the actress wrote in a prolonged Instagram submit on Monday. “The century-old organization that hosted the debutante ball had an unquestionably racist, sexist, and elitist past. 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.”

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

“There is a very natural temptation when you become the subject of internet criticism, to tell yourself that your detractors are getting it all wrong,” Kemper continued. “But at some point last week, I realized that a lot of the forces behind the criticism are forces that I’ve spent my life supporting and agreeing with.”

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Ellie Kemper broke her silence on Monday and issued a prolonged assertion on Instagram.
(Rachel Luna/Getty Images)

“I believe strongly in the values of kindness, integrity, and inclusiveness,” she shared. “I try to live my life in accordance with these values. If my experience is an indication that organizations and institutions with pasts that fall short of these beliefs should be held to account, then I have to see this experience in a positive light.”

“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,” she concluded. “Thanks for reading this.”

The 41-year-old, recognized for her iconic roles in “The Office” and Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,” confronted backlash after the pictures had been found throughout Memorial Day weekend. The pictures confirmed the actress collaborating in a 1999 occasion recognized in St. Louis because the “Veiled Prophet Ball.” At the time, Kemper, then a 19-year-old faculty scholar, was topped the “Queen of Love and Beauty” on the occasion, a title that’s been given to over 100 contributors.

According to the Veiled Prophet Organization’s web site, winners maintain the title for one 12 months.

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Ellie Kemper is recognized for her iconic roles in ‘The Office’ and Netflix’s ‘Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.’
(Getty Images)

The group’s preliminary imagery of a “Veiled Prophet” has been broadly scrutinized. The Atlantic reported in 2014 that it depicted an analogous look to a Klansman. However, Rolling Stone famous that the ball predates the Ku Klux Klan by a number of many years.

At the time, representatives for Kemper didn't reply to Fox News’ a number of requests for remark. In a press release to Fox News on Tuesday, the Veiled Prophet (VP) Organization denounced racism.

“The VP organization is dedicated to civic progress, economic contributions and charitable causes in St. Louis. Our organization believes in and promotes inclusion, diversity and equity for the entire region. We absolutely reject racism and have never associated with any organization that harbors these beliefs,” the assertion reads.

The VP Organization additionally confirmed to Fox News Kemper was topped the Queen of Love and Beauty in 1999.

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After Ellie Kemper’s pictures surfaced, “KKK Princess” began trending on Twitter.
(Getty Images)

While the pageant solely allowed White contributors when it was based in 1878, banning Blacks and Jewish Americans, it welcomed its first Black members in 1979, a full 20 years earlier than Kemper’s participation at age 19, and a 12 months earlier than she was born.

Thomas Spencer, a professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville wrote a e-book on the topic titled “The St. Louis Veiled Prophet Celebration: Power on Parade, 1877-1995.” In a current interview with the Los Angeles Times, Spencer claimed the ball Kemper attended was a debutante ball however spoke to its historical past of racist claims.

“The first parade has some pretty overt racial symbolism and intimidation. The VP was armed, and there was an executioner’s block on the float, etc.,” Spencer advised the outlet.

Spencer goes on to say that the VP Organization was “almost shut down” in the Nineteen Seventies over protests. The creator furthered acknowledged that regardless of the claims, there hasn’t been proof of a hyperlink between the group and the KKK.

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Ellie Kemper beforehand stayed silent when the pictures surfaced over Memorial Day weekend.
(Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SCAD aTVfest 2019)

Still, “KKK Princess” trended on Twitter, with customers claiming the “Bridesmaids” actress ought to be canceled.

“Ellie Kemper was brought up in a wealthy family apart of an elite society. She was attending Princeton University at the time she has crowned KKK princess at 19. I’m 100% sure she was well aware of the history of the Veiled Prophet Ball,” one person wrote.

In one other tweet, the person additional alleged: “I know for a fact her parents have been prepping her to be the KKK princess of their secret society for years leading up to that.”

One particular person added, “i mean….. ellie kemper was apparently crowned in a legit kkk beauty pageant so…. people obviously change, so it doesn’t mean she’s a terrible person *now* but…. might benefit from offering some kinda explanation of what’s changed since then.”

Another claimed Kemper, who was born in Kansas City, comes from “one of the wealthiest families in the state. “She’s a Kemper. That’s like Missouri royalty,” the particular person claimed.

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The Veiled Prophet Organization beforehand denounced racism.
(Getty)

As it grew to become a trending matter slightly rapidly on the social media platform, a number of denounced Twitter for permitting false rumors to unfold concerning the star.

“Not true! Stop #twittershaming with fake facts!!!!” one argued.

“Your tweet epitomizes what is bad about Twitter. People tweeting with “100% certainty” concerning the inside motivations of individuals they've by no means met,” one other wrote.

One person added: “You mean the organization that had diversified before she was even born? The one that even today donates large sums to the community and has a free 4th of July celebration? You should be ashamed…”

Reps for Twitter didn't instantly return Fox News’ request for remark.

Fox News’ Cortney O’Brien and Melissa Roberto contributed to this report.