Bachelor Nation is fed up, and frankly, I'm fed up too. With regard to ABC's popular dating franchise created by Mike Fleiss, fans of the show have launched an anti-racism campaign, and within hours, over 10,000 people had signed a Change.org petition (opens in new tab) ("Anti-Racism Campaign in the Bachelor Franchise") signed the petition. As an avid viewer of the show for many years, I fully support this move.

This petition comes at a critical time for our country. In the wake of the killing of George Floyd by a white police officer (opens in new tab), protests have erupted across the United States. A fan call to action (opens in new tab) against ABC's program (opens in new tab), which is viewed by millions, was launched on June 8, demanding that the program reflect the racial diversity of our country on and off screen.

The actions the petitioners are calling for include the casting of a single black man as the lead in Season 25, the casting of BIPOC in at least 35 percent of the contestants each season, the hiring of a diversity consultant to witness all parts of the show, and the requirement that those who have promoted prejudice in the past This includes more thorough vetting of contestants to ensure that those who have promoted bias in the past never set foot in the mansion.

It is shameful that the franchise did not act sooner, even though the show has been on the air for over 18 years and has only ever featured one black lead. I mean, Mike Johnson literally sat there, stood there, and waited! (Opens in new tab) And yet, I had to watch the snooze fest that was Peter Weber's season instead! Just remembering it makes my blood boil. I can't believe I spent most of Monday crying my eyes out over Barb Weber (opens in new tab)!

Rachel Lindsay (open in new tab), the only black lead on the show, recently said she would leave the franchise if the lack of diversity was not addressed.

On Lindsay's blog, Honestly Rach, she writes: (opens in new tab) "You never want to bite the hand that feeds you, but you also don't want to abet problematic behavior ... I belong to this franchise and to be silent on some issues is to still be complicit in these cycles of harmful behavior. If I see my brothers and sisters continuing to do wrong, will I not hold them accountable?' This is why I have come to the conclusion that if change does not occur inside and outside the franchise, I will disassociate myself from it"

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Time will tell if she quits, but I must confess, dear reader, I hope she does. Her absence will only reveal how non-inclusive this franchise is and that there are few BIPOC voices that have a say when it comes to addressing the "hard issues."

Sign the petition (opens in new tab) here. (opens in new tab)

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