'The Bachelor' fans feel racism segment was 'problematic as hell' for ignoring Victoria Fuller's WLM scandal
'The Bachelor' addressed online racism in an iconic Women Tell All this week and people can't stop calling them out. While Bachelor Nation fans appreciate the gesture, they feel that the show completely brushed aside Victoria Fuller's White Lives Matter fiasco.
They also felt that ABC should have really started at home instead. After all, Cosmopolitan canceled Fuller's digital cover after the news broke.
Former 'Bachelorette' Rachel Lindsay, who was the first and only black star of either series began the conversation by saying, "If we're ever gonna fix this problem, we have to acknowledge the problem."
She goes on to read some nasty DMs that some of the contestants received, which included derogatory racist statements and death threats. While all of it is really a step in the right direction, fans felt it wasn't fair to talk about racism without calling out one of their own.
"Victoria fuller wore a white lives matter tank top but I guess we'll ignore that because we can’t say the word racism at all on #thebachelor ever," said one fan.
Another tweeted, "ABC did their PSA about racism and online bullying to make up for the WLM modeling scandal Victoria F was involved in. No doubt they’ll pat themselves on the back, consider the matter squashed and happily invite her to Bachelor in Paradise."
"#TheBachelor having a conversation about the racism in the franchise while actively ignoring Victoria's wlm campaign and the fact that they have NEVER had a bachelor of color seems... off? like this feels like they are trying to address how hated this season was but by blaming us," tweeted one fan.
Another shared, "Like you know that this is the extent of what they want to say about this bc they don't want to alienate the racist parts of #BachelorNation. If you aren’t going to actually call out the real issues in the show and how production has allowed it to happen, then why do this?"
Some fans also pointed out that "using" Lindsay to talk about it was a poor choice "and making a woman of color do the work to raise the issue and camera angling in on women of color more than they did at any other point in the season. Chris should have read the tweets," said one fan.
Another tweeted agreeing, "Okay, this is an important message, but having Rachel on to address this and then panning nearly exclusively to the women of color on this stage and NOT calling racism out explicitly (and we know this is the ABC exec’s decision) feels off."
Another tweeted, "I’m glad they had this segment but why did @TheRachLindsay have to take on that emotional labor? Time for #thebachelor show to step up and not leave it only to people of color to fight racism.
Fans also pointed out that while 'The Bachelorette' has had one woman of color as lead, 'The Bachelor' has had none. And ABC should work on their own issues before solving those of the internet.
"OK obviously bulling is horrible but I’m sorry ABC, systemic racism isn’t great either. Mike and Tayshia were two of the most loved front runners and it feels like you didn’t even consider them so your shows legacy could continue to be 99.9% white..." tweeted a fan.
Another noted that it was "ironic". "I find it ironic how Bachelor has a whole segment about harassment, particularly racism, yet won’t take their own advice since their casting choices perpetuate the exact thing they’re trying to bring attention to #TheBachelor."
A third one took a jab at their latest 'Bachelorette' casting — Clare Crawley. "And to battle racism, they pick another WHITE bachelorette??? Do better @BachelorABC#thebachelor"
What did you think of the segment? Let us know in the comments below. 'The Bachelor' airs on Monday nights on ABC.
