There are many ways to be ignorant about the nuances of racism in America because Lord knows that I have been, but even as someone who grew up in super white suburbia I learned in school what blackface and slurs are and why they're bad
That isn't ignorance, that's blatant racism
Yes, people can make mistakes and grow from them, people can be poorly/misinformed, people can be poorly influenced by those around them, etc.
But there is no way for a person to be THAT ignorant unless they are under the age of 7.
And you actually have to grow and change, not just make excuses, act like an innocent baby who's being attacked for no reason.

And apologizing doesn't mean you're owed forgiveness.

Oh and there's a difference between an explanation and an excuse.

In fact, here it is!
Excuse: "but it was a different time", "I/the people around we thought it was funny", "well I have *insert completely unrelated problem here*, "well I'm not that person", "I'd never do/say that", etc.
Explanation: "I wasn't well informed, but since I wasn't aware of that I didn't think to educate myself", "I was taught from a very young age that this behavior was normal and I'm only now becoming aware that it's not", etc.
An excuse deflects any and all responsibility and is usually meant to retroactively make a bad thing look better, an explanation provides context to explain why a situation happened without justifying the action itself.
I made this thread with a lot of shitty influencers in mind, Shane Dawson, Jeffree Star, etc. But honestly it's applicable to everyone and everything. Not just influencers and racism.

Personal growth is not always comfortable, in fact it rarely is, but you have to seriously-
-confront yourself and acknowledge your biases, mistakes, ignorance, morals or lack thereof, any toxic mindsets or beliefs you may have, etc.

You must hold yourself accountable, you must make a conscious effort to educate yourself and grow, you cannot make major change passively
It may not be easy, or comfortable, or particularly pleasant, but it is necessary. Sometimes you slip up and you make more mistakes, y'know what you do then? You apologize and double down on improving.

Ignorance is understandable, it is easily forgiven.
Willful ignorance is not.
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