Ellie Kemper Apologizes for<br />Participating in 1999 Ball With<br />‘Racist’ Origins .<br />Ellie Kemper took to Instagram on June 7 to<br />address a number of resurfaced photos that have<br />put her at the center of controversy. .<br />The photos in question were discovered last week<br />and showed a 19-year-old Kemper participating in a debutante ball in St. Louis, Missouri. .<br />The ball was hosted by the Veiled Prophet Organization,<br />a group with known racist and antisemitic origins. .<br />In her apology, Kemper<br />said she was “not aware”<br />of the organization’s history<br />at the time, but that<br />“ignorance is no excuse.” .<br />The century-old organization that hosted<br />the debutante ball had an unquestionably<br />racist, sexist, and elitist past … I was<br />old enough to have educated myself<br />before getting involved, Ellie Kemper, via Instagram.<br />Kemper then denounced white supremacy, acknowledged<br />her privilege and sided with those criticizing her. .<br />I believe strongly in the values of kindness,<br />integrity, and inclusiveness. I try to live<br />my life in accordance with these values.<br />If my experience is an indication that<br />organizations and institutions with pasts<br />that fall short of these beliefs should be<br />held to account, then I have to see this<br />experience in a positive light, Ellie Kemper, via Instagram
