Bank exec regrets wearing blackface for Kanye West costume after being slammed on Twitter: 'I made a foolish decision'
A South Carolina bank executive darkened his skin to embody Kanye West for Halloween, and it was initially a hit.
Bryan Lenertz, vice president of Anderson Brothers Bank in Myrtle Beach, dressed as West for a Halloween party, and his wife dressed as Kim Kardashian West. Lenertz channeled the Donald Trump supporter in a MAGA hat, gold shades, a camo hoodie, a gold chain, and a goatee. And while the musician and designer is continuously criticized for his public praise of Trump, that’s not why people are angry over Lenertz’s costume.
A photo of the couple was shared on Facebook, and sources contacted the Root with screenshots of the post and comments.
The Root posted a side-by-side comparison of Lenertz in costume and not in costume to show that the banker had darkened his skin to look more like the black rapper. According to the Root’s sources, Lenertz used bronzer from Kardashian West’s beauty brand to appear black.
People weren’t bothered by Lenertz’s wearing blackface at first. In fact, commenters praised his costume on the original Facebook post. In a screenshot that the Root posted, people called the couple’s costumes “bootylicious,” “perfection,” and “awesome.” “Y’all two killed it bro,” someone wrote.
The tide quickly turned, though. Once the Root caught wind of the costume, the photos went viral, and social media users started slamming Lenertz for a racist portrayal.
Bryan Lenertz of Anderson Brothers Bank in South Carolina. I wonder how Kanye feels about his rhetoric being praised with blackface. https://t.co/DaArUiAkQQ
— heather (@HtownHeinlein) October 29, 2018
A great rule of thumb for #blackface is this: if you don't want to be black for 365 days of the year, don't do it for #Halloween, either. And don't be #BryanLenertz of Anderson Brothers Bank in South Carolina. pic.twitter.com/bDjPksbHG4
— The Tribe (@thetribesports) October 29, 2018
So he just didn't get the memo that blackface isn't fucking okay huh?#BryanLenertz #HitHisPockets
Blackface Is a Choice: Friends Praise SC Bank Executive For MAGA Kanye Costume https://t.co/aQpt1Fy1TI via @TheRoot
— Stereotypicalblkwmn (@FBlkStereotype) October 29, 2018
I wrote an email to Anderson Brothers Bank condemning the racism of Bryan Lenertz and got back a boilerplate email back saying "Thank you for contacting Anderson Brothers Bank. Your comments have been forwarded to our executive management.Thank you & have a great day!"
— THE Reverend Steve (@ReverendSteve) October 29, 2018
Others are blaming Anderson Brothers Bank, which was called a “trailblazer” in the industry earlier this month, and demanding that it fire him.
Bryan Lenertz better get his dumbass fired for this shit. Every f'n halloween its the same f'n thing. Sick of it https://t.co/oTeV3JYpwU
— Riaz Paynter (@RiazP) October 30, 2018
This is Executive Banker Bryan Lenertz with Horry County Anderson Brothers Bank in 5 days he will be unemployed. They never learn https://t.co/NJ5h39fBpa
— Author Silk (@RawSilk15) October 30, 2018
#AndersonBrothersBank — Your employee #BryanLenertz likes to dress in blatantly racist #blackface for Halloween. What are your thoughts on this?#HitHisPocket https://t.co/e9O658c2Gi
— Rob Vega (@BookBoy1268) October 30, 2018
Hello @ABBank1933 Still hoping we can hear an explanation as to why this is okay to be doing in the year 2018?https://t.co/ol5GhkPG5X
— Los Ingobernables De-rvish Flippydive (@Chainsaw4Real) October 29, 2018
Very nice of you @ABBank1933 to hire a complete idiot like Bobo Lenertz https://t.co/RdaSbpc7Gq
— John Obeto II (@johnobeto) October 29, 2018
“We are aware of it and the controversy that it generated,” Joanne Joyner, vice president of human resources at Anderson Brothers Bank, told Yahoo Lifestyle. “We have no comment to anybody except to say that we are handling it to the best of our ability.” Joyner added, “There are two sides to every story, and a picture doesn’t tell a full story.” Apparently, Lenertz has multiracial nieces and nephews.
“On October 27th I made a foolish decision,” Lenertz said in a statement. “While it was never my intention, I understand that my costume was both hurtful and wrong. I fully and completely apologize. I’ve learned from this mistake and promise it will never happen again.”
The bank said, “ABB and Lenertz express deep regret for the incident and extend our apologies to all who were offended.”
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
PETA goes after Donald Trump Jr. with mock Halloween trophy hunting costume: Here’s his response
Kanye West says President Trump ‘cares about the way black people feel about him’
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