A chilling pattern is emerging within the walls of the castle. Contestants of colour are being targeted, and the eliminations are happening with unsettling speed. Just five episodes in, the diverse group of hopefuls has been dramatically reduced, leaving only Faraaz and Roxy as the remaining non-white players.
The departures aren’t simply losses; they’re accompanied by troubling labels. Past contestants have faced accusations that felt deeply unfair – comparisons to notorious criminals, claims of aggression, and accusations of being overly confrontational. These judgements, often delivered with little concrete evidence, create a disturbing atmosphere.
It’s a disheartening echo of previous seasons. In the celebrity edition, Niko was swiftly banished based on perceived “traitorous vibes,” followed by Tameka, deemed untrustworthy by a fellow contestant. The banishment of Kasim was particularly painful, with viewers witnessing his genuine distress at being ostracized and a disheartening lack of support from others.
The anguish of being avoided, of feeling unfairly judged, is a heavy burden to bear, even within the context of a game. While some contestants of colour, like Cat Burns, have navigated the game successfully, even their successes are viewed through a biased lens – a quiet confidence interpreted as an expectation to be louder, more assertive.
It’s crucial to understand this isn’t about preventing eliminations; it’s about *how* those eliminations unfold. The distinct treatment of people of colour is becoming impossible to ignore. A disturbing predictability is taking hold: if you aren’t white, you’re more likely to face early scrutiny or feel compelled to alter your behaviour to avoid suspicion.
The silence within the castle is deafening. Why hasn’t this pattern been openly discussed? While unconscious bias may be at play, subtly influencing decisions, the conversation needs to move beyond social media speculation and into the heart of the game.
A missed opportunity arose last week when Judy was criticized for losing her initial enthusiasm. Roxy’s defense of her mother could have been a catalyst for a broader discussion, but the moment passed. The reluctance to address the issue is understandable – the fear of placing the burden of discussing racism on a person of colour.
However, the targeting itself *is* personal, and deserves to be acknowledged. Even a general conversation about the metrics used to identify “treacherous” behaviour could be a powerful step, prompting the cast to examine whether their judgements are influenced by unconscious biases.
This isn’t an isolated incident. Across reality television, a troubling trend persists. The recent season of another popular show crowned a white winner, with contestants of colour eliminated long before the finale. Shows continue to be accused of perpetuating harmful stereotypes, like the damaging “angry Black woman” trope.
The future of this season remains uncertain. While Roxy has skillfully avoided suspicion, and Faraaz has maintained a low profile, the risk of being targeted remains high. The hope is that future contestants will recognize the patterns of the past and bring a willingness to confront the uncomfortable truth.
Racial bias has no place in our entertainment, or in our society. When it appears, it must be called out, plainly and directly, for what it is: racism. The silence must be broken, and a genuine conversation must begin.
