Bachelor Nation & Reality Dating Shows Through a Black Viewer's Lens
BIPOC to the back! Nonsense and discrimination to the front!
*My opininon! No vex
The Bachelor and The Bachelorette TV series have been going on for what seems like 100 years (28 & 20 seasons). I’ve only been watching since 2015 or so, but it NEEDS a rejuvination. Now.
But first, let me share my thoughts about the lastest season of The Bachelorette (Charity) aka the best season of any Bachelorette or Bachelor, EVER. Argue with your mother.
Charity Sets The Bar
I aspire to be as classy, smart, and amazing as Charity Lawson. She is that girl. She knew exactly what she wanted from the men and made that clear. Her brother’s snooping gave Disney Channel vibes (didn’t he end up being right about Brayden too?). The dresses, the makeup! She sets the standard of what a lead on these types of shows should be like.
Positives
Charity.
Dotun.
Dotun’s family (Naija represent!).
Joey. Also him bringing up and acknowleding that Charity and him would be in an interacial relationship. These convos are so important because it’s like, is your family racist? Will they riot if I show up at their door?
Best cast of suitors I’ve seen. Like, many of them could go on to become the next Bachelor, honestly. John, Tanner, Caleb B., Michael. This might be the most diverse compared to other seasons. The “F P” thing was so childish though! Why do men…
WARWICK IS ME! I don’t know how he got picked for this show, but I loved it.
Negatives
Season was way too short and way too late.
Why do you come here if you’re not ready for marriage. I’m so over that plot!
Brayden.
I swear she said John not Sean!
Loserish men complaining about other loserish men. Focus on yourself and Charity babes. OR, “I cheated on my last girlfriend 46 times in the span of 24 hours before coming here.” Bruh, to think you were a one of a kind man who knits and studies science to help him mum. OR, “I left my child for this.” Sir, no issue with missing your kid, but please don’t force yourself to come here if you know you can’t handle it.
Do better background checks on these suitors because Charity was not playing around. She was looking for a husband, not a boy.
Onto the Next Man
Love Joey. I think he is the first Bachelor in history worth staying up late for on a Monday for two hours. I’m so ready for his season! HOWEVER, if I were to choose anyone else, it would be John B. Making him the first Asian lead/bachelor. Anyways, I (foolishly) believed it was coming, but nope. Another white dude (at least it’s Joey though). Bachelor 1 - 0 Me
Say No To Tradition
Racism is defended all the time. But we all knew this (unless you didn’t, now you know)! The Bachelor/ette franchise lacks diversity. We know.
20+ years. Only a few couples still together. All white, straight women and men (who seem to always be football players or pilots named Peter). Only 5 black people (2 monoracial, 3 biracial). Viewership has declined season after season, but I think there’s something they can do to shake things up a bit…
Diversity (obvs). Not just race. Like, 5 black people isn’t the serve you think it is. There needs to be more Asian, Indigenous, Native American, and Hispanic representation in CONTESTANTS and LEADS. Diversity in body types, ethnicity, age, culture. This will bring in more diverse audiences and improve the show.
Stop the same old same old ting! Change up the mansion, the dates, and a little bit of the format. Too much artificialness. It’s getting tiring (for me at least).
Stop editing out non-white contestants from the show.
Stop forcing villains. It’s so obvious and feels scripted at this point.
Better background checks. Check Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, January 6th footage, all of it.
No tokenism! No fetishization! None of that rubbish. Casting the first Black male lead after 15+ years ONLY after June 2020… bombastic side eye.
The one positive thing that is heading in a great direction is The Golden Bachelor. Already 25 minutes in, and it’s a legendary season. Diversity in age is unheard of when it comes to reality dating shows, but this show is doing it right! Gerry is a proper man, and the women are giving fashion, sense, and everything in between.
Along with diversity, there must be garauntee that there will be no tolerance for racism, abuse, sexism, and discrimination. If there’s a Black lead, there must be Black hairstylists and make-up artists. If there’s someone with a disability, ask them what can be done to accomodate. Don’t let these people suffer, they should focus on finding love (or chasing the bag as some of them do). Firing racist hosts and producers is definitely a great step! More diversity behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Contestants also shouldn’t have to change their appearance for someone else’s approval, or hide their identity or religious beliefs.
Don’t be afraid of “losing viewers” (very empty threats, suburban white ladies will not boycott it, trust me). Don’t crumble to the people who scream, “WOKE NONSENSE!”
That’s all I ask demand.
Love comes in all shapes and sizes.
Say No To Black Love
I know what you’re thinking. Am I mad? This statement is wild! Backstory: Justin and Caleb won Love Island US Season 2. They were the first Black couple to win in the franchise’s history. But this man, Caleb, played everybody! He used the whole, “Black women don’t get picked on these shows, but I’m here to show I love a Black woman to infinity and everything.” They split up. There were some cheating speculations going around (yes, regarding that man), but the reason for their break up isn’t known.
I love Black love. I wouldn’t exist without it. But let me dabble a bit about Black women in dating shows. They are not desired as much as white women are IN THE MEDIA (emphasis on the media/entertaiment, not regular everyday life). Racism and colorism play a huge role in this. Dark skin girls get paid dust as they are barely cast and often get poor edits or no screen time at all. It’s hard to be like, “Well, we don’t get treated right on these shows, so let’s take our matter elsewhere.” Because, yes. But also, no. There’s no law that says they can’t be there. So, I don’t care if it makes you uncomfortable, I’m here for love. Black couples still aren’t so visible in the media, and it’s not their faults really. The right forces need to join in order to create more Black couples in a positive environment.