Eighteen long seasons have come and gone for ABC’s “The Bachelor”, each without the addition of a non-white “Bachelor.” Eighteen seasons of fifty shades of white, and the network proudly announces their brave and generous decision to now cast a non-white “Bachelor.” The “Bachelor” in question is none other than a white Venezuelan, named Juan Pablo Galavis. Surely, ABC must realize that they are fooling absolutely no one in this whitewashed public relation’s stunt. What the network is in fact doing, is insulting the intelligence of the viewing public.
ABC’s the “Bachelor” has made zero progress in the area of diversity over its 18 year span. The shows occasional faux attempts at diversity has typically included one or two token black men, thrown into a sea of white suitors. Not surprisingly the black suitors never make it past the first one or two eliminations. ABC continues to hide behind the real reason for their decision not to cast a black man as the “Bachelor.”
It is not simply the alienation of viewers that concerns the network, but more the networks’ own discomfort at the idea of blatant amorous displays of affection between interracial couples. Let’s face it, a black “Bachelor” would have the final say in the demographics of his personal harem. That said, one can only surmise that white women will undoubtedly be on the table in abundance, perhaps with a sprinkling of black women thrown in, to keep it real so to speak.
Personally I stopped watching “The Bachelor” years ago, partly due to the lack of diversity, but mostly due to the inane premise of the show. While there is no accounting for taste, I fully support the rights of genuinely non-white men to enjoy the pleasures that are a given, for any man who wins the title of “The Bachelor”. That includes the ability to make out in wild abandon, with numerous attractive women and perhaps even get lucky in the “Fantasy Suite”.
Sadly, it looks like the possibility of a black “Bachelor” will long remain a true fantasy for those possessing a let’s say deeper pigmentation.
