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Entity reports of the first African-American "Bachelorette."

On Monday night ABC announced Rachel Lindsay, a lawyer from Texas, will be the new “Bachelorette”. It was a historic moment for television considering Rachel is African-American and the show, in its 33 seasons, has never had a black lead. (In fact ABC was sued back in 2012 after a man accused “The Bachelor” franchise of discriminating against contestants of color).

Taking all of that into account, it’s no surprise that a collective “Hell yes!” was heard around the internet following the announcement of Rachel. 

Rachel Lindsay Bachelorette Twitter Reactions

Of course not all the reactions were positive — they never are — but in this case some were quite insidious and speak to a broader problem concerning race in America.

You see it’s not just that some comments hurled about Rachel were racist — they were — it’s that the people making the comments didn’t even understand they were being racist.

I first noticed the issue on the infamous “Bachelor” spoiler blog Reality Steve. If you don’t know, Reality Steve is by far the go-to expert for all things “Bachelor” and broke the news of Rachel’s casting. Due to his position he received a plethora of emails from fans all over the United States commenting on the news. And while many comments were positive, a handful included some nice, subtle (and not so subtle) racism which we’ll explore below. 

First Rachel was written off as a quota. 

As one fan wrote in an email to Reality Steve:  “It’s a bad idea because to be honest, I don’t see Rachel getting the viewership they are used to. I don’t see it …The only reason they are giving it to her is because she is black. They are just filling some quota and hoping that this will shut everyone up for a few years and once people start complaining again that there isn’t a black bachelor or bachelorette, then they will simply cast another one.”

Rachel Lindsay cast as the first African-American Bachelorette

The writer of the email went on to say he or she is rooting for Rachel and hopes she finds love, not realizing their entire comment was offensive.

Which it was. The assumption that Rachel only got the role because “she is black” discredits all her accomplishments and it’s a problem people of color have had to deal with forever (just ask any minority who got into an Ivy League school). Rachel is not only gorgeous — did you see her wash-board abs — but she is a powerful, well-respected attorney. Claiming she’s filling a quota disregards how qualified she is for the role. Let’s be real, past “Bachelorette” Kaitlyn Bristowe was a dance teacher and part-time comic. Emily Maynard was an “event coordinator”. Is there really anything there that makes them more qualified for Reality TV? Or is it just that they are white?

Next Rachel was called unattractive … because she is black. 

“I’m sad it will be Rachel. In general, I don’t find African-American women as attractive,” wrote another fan in an email to Reality Steve. I could ogle over Raven for days, but Rachel, not so much. But it is what it is, to each their own. As you say, it’s not about the lead. But for me, the Bachelorette is much more enjoyable with a lead I find attractive.”

Yes “to each their own” is right. You can date whomever you choose. However, to simply generalize an entire race of women as unattractive is racist.

Jessica Williams gif, Rachel Lindsay Bachelorette

Then someone pointed out casting Rachel makes them nervous.

According to one fan, who is totally not racist, casting Rachel means nothing negative can be said about her otherwise it will be seen as racist.

“I can’t say I am happy/not happy with the announcement of Rachel as the new ‘Bachelorette’. What I am uneasy about, and I would love for you to address it, is that I think it will be hard for anyone (well maybe not everyone) to really give their true feelings (if they are negative) during her season out of fear of being called a racist. Sadly, the racist card is pulled out constantly if you say anything negative about someone of color.”

The only people concerned about being called racist are usually people who secretly think racist thoughts. So let me be clear, it’s totally acceptable to criticize Rachel the way other contestants are criticized (after all the show is ridiculous). And maybe she’ll pick some dumb dudes, maybe she’ll screw up a breakup, or maybe she’ll be a super boring lead — who knows. What you can’t do is be racist. You can’t say things like “she’s unattractive because she’s black”. Or say she was cast only because she’s black. See the difference?

To be clear, we don’t want to misrepresent the reaction Rachel received by only highlighting the negative. Truthfully a lot of people on social media appeared genuinely thrilled Rachel was cast. But we do need to point out how subtle racism can burrow its way into conversations and manifest in insidious ways.

It’s simply not okay to write-off an entire race as unattractive. It’s not okay to assume a person of color is only filling a quota, as if they are not deserving on their own. And it’s not okay to think people of color are always playing the “race card” as if they are crying wolf.

I reached out to Reality Steve to get his take and he told ENTITY he’s hoping the new season won’t only be about race, but isn’t sure that’s possible.

“I’m trying not to make the season about race. I just don’t know if the show will be able to control themselves. As I said, I hope Rachel knows what she’s getting into,” he told me over email.

Sadly he’s probably right. Which means we, as a nation, need to do better. And that starts by understanding what racism is — because it seems some people are still unclear.

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