Why Rachel being the Bachelorette means so much to me

If you missed the Bachelorette last night then you should definitely hit ABC's website and check out the episode.  Rachel Lindsay has been passed the baton to become the current Bachelorette.  Rachel is the first Black Bachelorette, she made TV history last night, you have to admit that's pretty cool whether you're a Bachelor franchise fan or not.

I read an article in Glamour magazine last night after the episode aired that had talked about dating and how race plays a big part in it.  Unfortunately, on dating apps Black women are the least the ones who get the least amount of responses and interactions. I wasn't completely shocked by the article, Black women have taken a backseat to other people in the media.  They're not always portrayed as we are but portrayed as undesirable, loud, angry, rude, sassy, and so much more.  While being familiar with these stereotypes that the media perpetuates it still stings, as a Black woman.  It hurts because I think I'm a pretty good person but apparently a lot of people won't know this because they see my skin first.

This season of the Bachelorette is so important for me and so many minority women out there because Rachel, a smart, beautiful, well-rounded woman; who is Black, is the object of affection for 31 men of different races.  Something you rarely, if ever, see on television or in movies.  I've had my far share of insecurities and I've always known that being Black was going to make my experiences in all things different.  I've had people feed me the stereotypical lines about having "good hair" or "being pretty for a Black girl" and I've had times of being made fun of or rejected because of the color of my skin.  Moments like those are what have made me want to step away from dating.  Being alone is better than being hurt right?

Rachel being the Bachelorette shows that Black women are desirable, we can be attractive to all types of people, and we're just as deserving of love as anyone else.  It's taken me a long time to find confidence in myself.  I'm finally starting to see myself as a contender in the dating game.  Rachel Lindsay has helped with that, it probably sounds crazy that someone from the Bachelorette can make me see myself in a different way, but it's true.  I'm proud to be a Black woman and I'm proud of Rachel for paving the way to a more inclusive world and I'm proud of myself for starting to see myself in a better light.  Thank you, Rachel, you being the Bachelorette has made all the difference.