Rachel Lindsay calls on The Bachelor franchise to address its "systematic racism" problem and undergo a "diversity makeover"

The Hollywood Reporter

In a new blog post, the former Bachelorette expounded on her recent comments threatening to cut ties with The Bachelor franchise over its "embarrassing" diversity problem. "I still feel that I have not been loud enough on the deep-rooted, 18-year systemic problems in this franchise," she wrote. "You never want to bite the hand that feeds you, but you also do not want to be aiding and abetting problematic behavior. I am affiliated with this franchise and to be silent on some matters is to still be complicit with these cycles of detrimental conduct. If you saw your brother or sister continually doing something wrong would you not hold them accountable?" Lindsay then explained why she planned to cut ties with the franchise if it didn't address its diversity problem. "This is the reason that I have come to the conclusion that if changes are not made on the inside and outside of the franchise, I will dissociate myself from it," she added. "I am tired of asking for change and my requests have been ineffective. These changes have to extend beyond casting a lead of color. The whole franchise needs a diversity makeover." Lindsay also offered suggestions for ABC to fix the problem:  "1. Cast leads that are truly interested in dating outside of their race. 2. Stop making excuses for the lack of diversity and take action to rectify the problem. 3. Diversify the producers on the show to make your contestants of color feel more comfortable. 4. Stop creating problematic story lines for people of color."