Big Brother season 20 contestants get slammed for their racist remarks as CBS tries damage control
Big Brother Season 20 has had fans furious as their live feed showed two contestants, Rachel Swindler and Angela Rummans making racist comments. The incident took place when the girls were sitting in the backyard and discussing how they were worried about getting too dark and looking "ghetto," as reported by TMZ. During their conversation, Rachel passed a comment about her stomach getting as dark as fellow houseguest Bayleigh Dayton.
Angela then responded by saying, "I know. I'm looking ghetto here with the skin coloration." To make matters worse, Rachel replied by saying she couldn't be in the sun for more than two days, otherwise she would "change ethnicities." Fans were quick to express their disappointment and anger towards the comments. "Wtf is wrong with those girls? That's not okay. None of the stuff that's being reported is okay. Defiantly reminds me people like that exist in everyday life. Imagine how they act without cameras," one Twitter user wrote.
Another wrote, "These b**ches are so tone deaf that they have no idea how racist they are. Their dark skin is not the only thing showing, their white privilege and racism are hanging out for all to see! #bb20 #bblf Every damn year!!" Meanwhile, there were others who pointed fingers at the show lacking people of color as their contestants. "I just don't get why the cast has to be so white every year. Perhaps if more people of color were on the show, the racists would get to know them as human beings and learn something," one user wrote.
Another noted, "I smh to the ignorance of some young females to affiliate dark skin to being ghetto. There were all different color skins that live in the ghetto and I grew up around many white wishes and tries to get the color of my skin even my daughter who is light skinned." While another chipped in and wrote, "Is "ghetto" a color? It's not a part of a city where members of a minority group live, usually as a result of social-economic pressure. Redlining gave these girls unearned privilege."
Following the negative reactions towards the show, CBS issued a statement. "Big Brother is a reality show about watching a group of people who have no privacy 24/7 -- and capturing every unfiltered moment and conversation in their lives. At times, the houseguests reveal prejudices and exhibit behavior that we do not condone," the statement read, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.
"The producers have addressed two such incidents that were seen recently on the 24/7 online feed. In both cases, those involved have been warned about their inappropriate behavior and offensive comments, as well as future consequences. These events will not be part of any future Big Brother broadcast on CBS."