5 Key Insights Into Season 7 of Love Island

When it comes to reality TV shows, I take them seriously. While I usually stick to the drama of the Real Housewives, a few years ago I found my way to Love Island and last season, Serena and Kordell gave me hope for Black love. But this season, the Love Island USA finale left me with mixed feelings.

I was expecting drama, romance, and real connections, but instead, I felt like I was watching an overproduced mess. The raw, unfiltered moments that made the show special turned into manufactured tension and predictable plots.

Here are 5 things I need to discuss about this season:

**Black Women Setting Boundaries:**
It’s frustrating to see Black women labeled as “mean girls” or “aggressive” for expressing themselves. When non-Black women do the same, they’re celebrated as strong. This unfair double standard is a microaggression that needs to be addressed.

**Accountability For Men:**
Male islanders often get away with manipulative behavior and disrespect towards women without facing real consequences. The show needs to hold them accountable and challenge toxic behavior.

**Confronting Racism:**
The show needs to be transparent and clear about condemning racist behavior, both on and off-screen. Sweeping instances under the rug sends the wrong message and fails to protect contestants.

**Researching Islanders:**
More thorough background checks on contestants could prevent uncomfortable situations and ensure the well-being of all participants.

**Lack of Diversity:**
The lack of body diversity on the show perpetuates harmful beauty standards. True inclusivity means embracing a spectrum of body types to reflect the true diversity of human attraction.

Until Love Island addresses these issues, it will continue to project an exclusive version of reality that doesn’t represent the varied landscape of human relationships. Let’s hope for a more inclusive future for reality TV.