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Love Island USA Made Me Believe In Love Again

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Love Island USA Made Me Believe In Love Again

As a Black woman who has grown up watching reality TV dating shows, I have seen my fair share of disappointment and frustration. Time and time again, Black women are left feeling undervalued and unloved, as if we are an afterthought in these men’s journeys. But this season of “Love Island USA” has been a breath of fresh air.

I’m a big fan of reality TV. You can often find me tuned in to past seasons of “The Real Housewives” or “Ladies of London” on Peacock. The excitement, the deceit, and the wealth of these characters keep me entertained and satisfied.

But I hate reality dating shows.

Reality TV dating shows have long given me the feeling that love is a commodity to be exploited for fame. A case in point is West Wilson from Bravo’s “Summer House.” His romance with Ciara Miller captured the affection of many American viewers, but their relationship soured when it seemed West utilized Ciara as part of a storyline for public attention. As Cersei Lannister once said, in the world of reality TV, you either succeed or fail. Sadly, black women often bear the brunt of this ruthless game.

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Subsequently, Serena Craig and Kordell Beckham Jr., as well as JaNa Craig and Kenny Rodriguez entered “Love Island USA.” At a point when it seemed that all prospects had faded away.

Over the past six weeks, “Love Island” spinoff has become a national obsession in America, captivating the hearts and minds of people everywhere. There isn’t a moment’s pause as fans share their favorite moments through fancams, tweets, or TikTok videos. With daily filming, it feels like a day never goes by without new content emerging online. According to Luminate, the reality series holds the top spot among all streaming platforms in the country.

The explanation is quite straightforward: Due to the scarcity of authentic conversations and wholesome relationships portrayed on TV, “Love Island USA” provides a glimmer of hope for viewers, particularly Black women, that love is attainable. For the first time, Black love is being spotlighted, bringing with it the raw experiences of many Black women when it comes to dating.

Black women face significant challenges in their dating lives due to the presence of racism, colorism, and texturism. These biases influence how potential partners perceive their attractiveness. In a world where Black women don’t have access to an exclusive pool of eligible bachelors, finding a partner can be challenging. A 2021 study by Pew Research Center revealed that Black women are 62% more likely to be unpartnered compared to Black men.

As a movie critic, I recently came across an intriguing experiment conducted by Jamilah Lemieux, a writer and cultural critic, which she shared in an article for The Cut. Intrigued by the way racial bias manifests itself in online dating, she decided to swap her race from Black to white on Hinge. To my surprise, her matches improved significantly, revealing a stark disparity in the app’s algorithms that left me pondering the depths of our societal prejudices.

Sociologist Apryl Williams explained to The Hazard Gazette how dating apps perpetuate sexual bias due to their adherence to white, heteronormative beauty ideals. In her book “Not My Type: The Algorithmic Perpetuation of Sexual Racism in Online Dating,” she elaborates on the experiences of Black women encountering discrimination in digital dating scenes.

As a black woman who has grown up watching reality TV shows, I can’t help but be thrilled about the latest season of Love Island USA. This show, where attraction and desirability are the main focuses, has always been an exciting escape for me. But this time around, it feels different – black women are not just participants, they’re dominating the game.

The boys, from preparing breakfast for Kordell every morning to gazing intently into JaNa’s eyes during conversations, were deeply devoted to their ladies. Their affection for Serena and JaNa remained strong even after they each became involved with new women at Casa Amor. Despite the initial infidelity on “Love Island,” their bonds with their partners grew stronger upon their return.

At first, Serena didn’t accept Kordell’s new relationship with Daia McGhee, feeling humiliated and embarrassed. Her strong reactions, which were characterized as overly emotional by Miguel Harichi and aggressive by Kendall Washington, risked reinforcing the stereotype of the angry Black woman.

It was refreshing to note that the spectators didn’t share the same perspective. Rather than criticizing Serena, they identified with her distress. An exception in the realm of reality TV, where fan bases often target and misrepresent Black women on dating programs (like “The Bachelor” and “Love Is Blind”), the viewers praised Kordell for acknowledging his mistakes, taking responsibility, and prioritizing Serena’s emotions during his apology at the recoupling ceremony.

After that, the two have been enjoying their most delightful times at the Villa. Serena often helps Kordell with his grooming, such as fixing his hair. They also share dancing moments together. Lastly, I particularly love observing them stealing quick kisses during competitions.

Online, fans frequently comment that the two of them represent the love story reminiscent of the 1990s, a period marked by an abundant portrayal of Black love in films and television. This era brings to mind romantic pairs like Nina and Darius from “Love Jones,” Martin and Gina from “Martin,” Whitley and Dwayne from “A Different World,” or Synclaire and Overton from “Living Single.” However, since then, especially on reality TV, Black women have often been overlooked by men in favor of non-Black women. For instance, “Love Island USA” contestant Connor Newsum chose to pursue Leah Kateb after initially being coupled with JaNae.

Kenny, the 24-year-old fitness trainer, developed strong feelings for JaNa as soon as he joined the villa. He remained deeply focused on her throughout the experience, and their connection was a source of comfort for JaNa after she had encountered insensitive treatment from past male contestants. Their affectionate relationship brought solace to JaNa during her time in the villa.

It’s delightful to witness Black women receiving love and affirmation on reality TV shows, such as “Love Island USA.” The enthusiasm from fans like Kordena Hive and KaNa Hive adds to the joy. This serves as a reminder that there is a world where Black women are valued and appreciated for their worthiness of love. I’d rather watch romantic moments between them than endure demeaning treatments, like those seen in “Pop The Balloon Or Find Love.” (For those unaware, this YouTube dating series has gained notoriety due to the disrespectful behavior of some male contestants towards women.) It seems that the standard for respect has sunk quite low, perhaps even in hell or Winston-Salem with Coye Simmons.

No matter which woman wins this Sunday’s season finale, Black women will leave a lasting impact on reality TV. Serena and JaNa’s journeys, marked by their vulnerability and authenticity, will go down in history. They refused to compromise themselves or diminish their worth for anyone. Instead, they held strong to their values and formed a profound sisterhood during production. The portrayal of Black love onscreen is abundant.

As a Black woman who has watched countless reality TV dating shows and felt frustrated by the lack of representation and fair treatment for women like me, I can’t help but feel a glimmer of hope when I see progress being made. However, I must admit that I won’t expect every show to get it right after this. The entertainment industry, just like our society, is deeply rooted in existing power structures that perpetuate anti-Black and anti-woman sentiment. So, while I may cheer and rally for the women who receive their due recognition, I will remain skeptical and critical. It’s a necessary part of staying informed and holding these shows accountable for their actions. But make no mistake, every small win counts, and it reminds us that change is possible.

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2024-07-19 18:06

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