1. Change casting
Lindsay said that simply adding Black men and women to their lists of contestants is not nearly enough and that the show should cast leads who are actually open to interracial relationships. “Cast leads that are truly interested in dating outside of their race,” she wrote.
2. Take action
The former Bachelorette demanded ABC step up and address the problem. “Stop making excuses for the lack of diversity and take action to rectify the problem,” she added.
3. Focus on crew diversity
Beyond casting, Lindsay also called for the hiring of Black crew members. “Diversify the producers on the show to make your contestants of color feel more comfortable,” she explained.
4. Don’t stereotype
Whether we like it or not, cast members are often portrayed as villains. Lindsay encouraged The Bachelor to allow relationships to form naturally, adding, “Stop creating problematic storylines for people of color.”
5. Accept responsibility
Lastly, Lindsay called on ABC to accept responsibility for its actions. “The franchise should make a statement acknowledging their systemic racism,” she wrote. (Read the full blog post here.)
Your move, ABC.
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