![bachelor finale 2021 bachelor finale 2021](https://cdn.prod.www.spiegel.de/images/d6bc6cf4-953e-4c4c-871a-7f6ff73795b9_w1600_r1.7770177838577292_fpx64.13_fpy50.jpg)
Because what’s underneath those efforts isn’t trying to make someone “comfortable” with your Blackness. That mental, emotional, and spiritual work was framed as a duty by Black men, in particular, to remind white people that Black people aren’t scary. There was no interrogation of whether that’s helpful or harmful, or of the impact walking through life worried about appearing threatening has on Black people’s psyches. It started off with incredible potential, with Acho reminding the audience that his conversation with Matt wouldn’t be the same point of view being parroted back and forth because they’re both Black men they’re two unique people with their own experiences and perspectives.Ī conversation about the pressures Matt felt as the first Black bachelor became a reminder that Black people are conditioned to make themselves more acceptable to white society, with both Matt and Emmanuel saying they make efforts in their lives to not appear threatening. The problem was how much of this conversation was framed, either by ABC or Acho, for the comfort of white people. Emmanuel Acho was energetic when he needed to be, thoughtful when he needed to be, and more sincere and personable than Chris Harrison has been in years. You can tell that everyone involved at Bachelor Nation headquarters realized exactly how big of a clusterfuck this season has been and tried their best to deliver something resembling a love story and a satisfying “After the Final Rose,” despite their season and longtime host both going up in flames. Matt was crumbling because he cannot untangle his own romantic past and future from his parents’ and all Chris Harrison had to offer was, “Ooof, that’s rough.” How have we been bamboozled so deeply by a man who thinks that furrowing his brow and pursing his lips is a substitute for showing emotion and giving advice? The moments in this episode where he had to deliver a bit of bad news or comfort someone felt like watching a manager at a bank lead group therapy. This sentient quarter-zip cotton-blend sweater completely lacks the aptitude and enthusiasm to effectively host this television program in this moment. But I think the biggest and clearest lesson is: Chris Harrison is utterly useless. As we look back on this season, there are many lessons to be learned, like, maybe it’s not a great idea to have your dating franchise led by a complete relationship novice who hasn’t processed the trauma of his upbringing, or maybe don’t cast a Trump supporter who can’t seem to keep her bra concealed.