On Tuesday, The Bachelorette production team blatantly side-stepped Erich Schwer's Blackface photo and fans and franchise alum are upset. Most Hollywood and mainstream media have some reckoning to do with issues of inequality across the board; however, Bachelor Nation holds a special place for blatantly disrespecting its casts and audiences time and time again by failing to address racism. The blame falls equally on its cast members and production team. Many found last week's decision to ignore Erich's Blackface controversy in favor of spotlighting a clingy ex cowardly and outright wrong.The image of Erich doing Blackface as Jimi Hendrix surfaced from his high school yearbook prior to the finale. After the photo started circulating online, Erich apologized with a statement under a black square on Instagram, saying he was "naive" and "ignorant" and "will forever regret his damaging behavior." Theblckchelorettes, an Instagram page that attempts to provide clarity on The Bachelor, Blackness, and activism, thanked Erich for his apology and invited him to watch their video explaining the gravity of his actions and the history of Blackface's use in America.They also encouraged him to reach out to them for resources to move forward in "unlearning and re-engaging in a transformative way" beyond an increasingly meaningless black square. Commentors admonished Erich's lack of response to the established page's generous offer to work together.Related: Bachelor & Bachelorette Contestants Reprimanded For Past Racist ActionsDuring the After The Final Rose episode, Gabby Windey seemed to hint at trouble in paradise without addressing the blackface photo directly. She hinted that she and Becca Kufrin had gone through similar situations, but she didn't speak on it head on. Instead, the entire focus was put on texts from Erich's ex who was upset he minimized their relationship and led her on, though they only dated for a month.

Rachel Lindsay Calls Out Production....Again

Many assumed the apology would be expanded upon last Tuesday. When it wasn't, a fresh round of admonishment spread online. Attorney, television personality, and former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay has stood firmly against the series' endless racism for years now. When the Blackface photo first surfaced, she said, "As sure as there will be roses, there will be racism." Then when production avoided discussing it, Rachel spoke again on The Bachelor's ignorance, saying, "They really missed the mark on a necessary and important conversation that was intentionally not conveyed." She echoed that it was an opportunity for Erich to "put action behind his IG post rather than hide behind it."

Former Bachelorettes Speak Out

Former Bachelorette and host Kaitlyn Bristowe also spoke out against production's decision to ignore Erich's Blackface and the online uproar. She shared, "I don't think we needed to read texts from his ex or set up a fake mansion for Zach. I think we needed to continue to evolve and show up with that many people watching." She added that Michelle Young and Becca were under the impression the scandal would be addressed. Theblckchelorettes also echoed that the decision was a show of blatant disrespect to every Black person within the network and prioritized pleasing heteronormative and conservative audiences. They added, "Last night was no accident...they made it clear that their proximity to power matters more."

Fans Say Miss Me With That...

Bachelor Nation alum and fans alike sure didn't miss a beat to speak up. Twitter user Nir wrote, "So they'll talk about the texts with Erich's ex girlfriend but not the black face? Interesting ." After Jesse Palmer aired angsty messages from Erich's former hookup, Andryanna Sheppard tweeted, "Keep that same energy with the black face photos." Reality Steph echoed, "so are they going to talk about erich doing black face tonight or will that be tomorrows four hour episode?"

At this point, it's up to Erich and Gabby to take full accountability as a couple with a significant platform. Doing the right thing shouldn't take away from their love story, but ignoring racist behavior definitely will. The fact that the Blackface photo was blatantly ignored was both surprising and unsurprising to everyone in Bachelor Nation. While the show had previously committed to addressing issues of injustice head-on, its track record tells a different story.

Sources: Kaitlyn Bristowe/Instagram, theblckchelorettes/Instagram, Nir/Twitter, Andryanna Sheppard/Twitter, Reality Steph/Twitter, Erich Schwer/Instagram