Much like everything else in the world, this show is made just for you. This fact has always been apparent, but this year more than ever, it was glaringly obvious. Before you "not all white women" me, let me use the definitions of white women and women who happen to be white from the great Amanda Seales. If you have time, please listen to this enlightening podcast episode.
Most of the contestants in Bachelor Nation are white women, but a few former contestants and content creators happen to be white and are challenging the status quo. White women actively wield their privilege for attention and advantages. Women who happen to be white use their privilege to challenge said privilege while creating space, platforms, and opportunities for those who don't have that same access.
White women contestants took up so much space and were given unlimited grace, despite being grown women who should have known better. Shall I list a few examples?
The Worst Get Rewarded
If Victoria Larson is the queen of anything, it's microaggressive behavior. I will never forget the level of entitlement and privilege that she displayed when she took the crown off of Catalina's head. Then, instead of handing it back to her or placing it back on her head, she tossed it on the table. For this and several other antics on Matt's season, instead of getting called out for her behavior, she lands a spot in Paradise where she tries to use several of her white woman playbook strategies on Tahzjuan to no avail.
Next, we have Anna Redman, who actively spread false rumors about a castmate, kind of apologized, and somehow ended up redeemed in the viewers' eyes, also landing a spot on Paradise. Instead of taking actual ownership, she centered herself and used passive voice phrases to diminish her role, and despite her best efforts, she was unable to produce a single tear. Here's a clip of Anna facing "accountability."
Demi Burnett once again was problematic and once again wasn't held accountable. Earlier this year, she issued this bizarre self-deprecating apology for wearing a jacket with a confederate flag. Following the typical apology script for racist behavior, it centers herself as she attempts to get ahead of the rightful criticism.
This controversy does not stop her from a Paradise appearance either, where she is assured that her status as a white woman and fan-favorite will make her the hottest commodity on the beach, despite no evidence to corroborate this belief. After inserting herself into several triangles, she uses her breakup with Kenny to compare herself to Mari. It doesn't take much to read between the lines to understand what she says.
Women Support Women
The problem with "Women Support Women" in the Bachelor franchise is that it often involves women of color, particularly Black women, supporting their white counterparts despite little to no reciprocity. Katie Thurston's white savior edit landed her the role of Bachelorette, and her most championed displays of "taking down bullies" were displaying microaggressions toward women of color. In her confrontation with Serena C, she is the aggressor, especially compared to her mannerisms when speaking with Victoria, despite the titles of the videos indicating the opposite.
Finally, at the Women Tell All, Katie insinuates that racist online harassment is karma from "mean girl behavior," deflecting all logic and the voices of the women of color on stage.
It was disappointing that fans and commentators failed to call out this behavior truly; instead, they championed her to the lead role as Bachelorette.
Sharing Space
Becca Kufrin, Tia Booth, and Demi Burnett had significant platforms before returning to Bachelor in Paradise. While they have every right to go on the show and find love, their storylines dominated much of the season. These women do not have the ultimate say in how the show is edited, but surely it is worth noting that once again, their stories were heavily featured above the women of color, even those who ended the show with an engagement. It is also worth noting that Kendall Long and Mykenna Dorn's storyline leaned heavily on their feelings and emotions, often at the expense of women of color like Serena and Natasha. Finally, the white women of Bachelor Nation genuinely have to learn how to uplift the voices of women of color and provide opportunities for women of color to take up space, even at a personal cost to themselves; that is the true sign of allyship.
Sharing space extends to beyond the show to the opportunities that many contestants have after their season ends. Two Black women have hosting opportunities, but they share them with white women and receive less screen time than their white counterparts who have more options outside of hosting, including business ventures, wine labels, and sponsorships.
Remaining Accountable
You may have noticed that I have not mentioned Rachael Kirkconnell until now. Her problematic behavior has been dissected ad nauseam by everyone because it falls under the category of racist behavior that white women can quickly identify and call out without doing any introspection into how they participate in and uphold white supremacy in all spaces but particular in this fandom. For all that can be said about Rachael, I will say that she's the only person mentioned that still has posts up with resources and the only one who issued an apology without absolving herself from blame.
Whether or not she or the others mentioned have made any progress towards accountability and allyship, there is tons of room to grow for both white women and women who happen to be white in Bachelor Nation. As we approach the upcoming season, be aware of the tropes and traps that former contestants have used against women of color. Call them out when you see it happening. Call out the casual racism of content creators. When discussing the show, look for content and posts by creators of color. If you have a platform, invite creators of color into your spaces. Share their posts and resources, and do this BEFORE an issue with race surfaces. Creators of color deserve the freedom to discuss all aspects of the show.
It is imperative for both white women and women who happen to be white to investigate how a franchise that was created for and disproportionately centers white women can be a more inclusive space for women of color.
Let's hope for a better 2022, but if not, let's at least hope for more of an uproar when microaggressions occur.
Until next year,
Ashley