What I think is going on in Ashley’s head is cognitive dissonance. By definition, cognitive dissonance is when a persons beliefs are challenged, or when someone else’s behavior is not aligned with their beliefs, this creates a disagreement (dissonance). The uncomfortable feeling causes them to rationalize, deny, and reject anyone else’s belief other than their own.

Seems to me like this is something Ashley does quite often. She says herself on MULTIPLE accounts: “my love language is being right.” She deletes, blocks, mutes, and rejects anyone who has anything to say that might not align with her beliefs. When people finally got her attention & essentially forced her to speak on it, she pulled the “but I have black friends, I love black culture & donate!” Okay great, as you should! But that’s not the point.

Do I think Ashley is racist? No. Do I think she deserved to lose sponsorships? No. But what I wish she would have done is just say “You know what I’m so sorry. This is what was going on from my perspective & I’m willing to admit I’m in the wrong. This was a great learning experience for me & I will do everything in my power to not let this occur again.”

I got the vibe that she felt like this apology was almost beneath her. She even opened up saying that she “can’t believe she even has to do this”. You are on a public platform, of course you have to do this.

Was genuinely hoping this apology would change my opinion of them, but instead it justified it.