Matt James Is Cast As The First Black Bachelor. Is This Diversity Change or Pandering To The Black Community? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Matt James Is Cast As The First Black Bachelor. Is This Diversity Change or Pandering To The Black Community?

Is this a win or a publicity save.

13
Matt James Is Cast As The First Black Bachelor. Is This Diversity Change or Pandering To The Black Community?
@bachelorabc on Instagram

In the 18 years and 25 seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette, There has never been a black Bachelor. We had the first black Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay, and the first Latino Bachelor, Juan Pablo, who we want to forget but we've never had a black bachelor. Viewers and members of the Bachelor franchise have spoken out about a need of diversity after years of white centered casting with one black or person of color for every five white people. But after much public pressure, they made their first initative for change.


Matt James becomes the first black lead of 'The Bachelor' in franchise history l GMAwww.youtube.com


On Friday, ABC announced that they've cast Matt James as the first black bachelor in the show's history. He was originally cast on Clare Crowley's upcoming season on the Bachelorette but it had been delayed due to the COVID pandemic. Now people had their own suggestions for the first black bachelor like Mike Johnson but he had declined several times. The show said that they want to change their platform and acknowledge that they have made mistakes in the past when it comes to their set up and want to do better by their network and the viewers of Bachelor Nation.

Now you don't have to be a die hard viewer of the bachelor to know how the show goes. The majority of the contestants are white, blonde hair, and are looking to amp of their following on Instagram. We see maybe two to four black women and the farthest they get is Top Four Hometown Week. So expected that the winner will be someone who is non-black. I have no problem with interacial relationships but with the current state of society, it looks like James is being set up to be thrown into the fire.The black community sees this as simple pandering during this racial climate. It took eighteen years for the show to cast a black bachelor and fifteen years to cast a black bachelorette.

I would be happy with Matt's casting if it was genuine but it's obvious this was just to save face and handle PR. If they really want to show that you're for diversity, have black presence in your cast of contestants, have black people on your staff, in the producer chair. Don't just cater to the white audience and ignore the people you were trying to appease.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

129012
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

29297
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

27112
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments