The latest victim of political correctness is Chris Harrison.  Here’s a brief recap.  Harrison was a guest on the podcast of a former Bachelorette, Rachel Lindsay (a woman of color).  Rachel showed a photo of a current contestant, Rachael Kirkconnell (a woman devoid of color) attending a “plantation-themed fraternity formal” in 2018.  Black Rachel accused White Rachael of being racially insensitive, and wanted Harrison’s take.  His first mistake was going on Black Rachel’s podcast.  His second was expressing an opinion.  “Well, Rachel, is it a good look in 2018?  Or is it not a good look in 2021?  Because there’s a big difference.”  Black Rachel countered, “It’s not a good look ever.  If I went to that party, what would I represent?”  Chris compounded his problems by doing an apology interview with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America.  I’ve seen more relaxed hostage videos!  Shortly thereafter, it was announced that Harrison would not host the upcoming season of The Bachelorette.

Let me take you back to 1993 and a little sitcom called Designing Women – a show set in Atlanta about a design firm owned by four white ladies and their black delivery man (who eventually became a partner).  The last episode of the series was called “Gone with the Whim”.  The team was hired to redecorate an old Southern mansion, reminiscent of Tara.  Each member of the cast imagines what it would have been like to live during the antebellum era.  While the ladies wax rhapsodically, Anthony states that his image of Tara and Scarlett O’Hara is not like theirs.  In his fantasy, Scarlett is played by the dreamy Sheryl Lee Ralph, while Jan Hooks is a priggish Prissy.  In Alice Ghostley’s version, Anthony is her Rhett Butler.  Before they go off together, he reminds her that it is 1865 – he’s black, she’s white and people will talk.  Bernice responds, “Frankly, my dear – I don’t give a damn”.  Anthony scoops her up in his arms and carries her up the stairs.  The final words of the entire series are Bernice singing, “Black man”.  Would that make it on the air today?  No.  Is it funny?  Decide for yourself – the clip is on BillyMasters.com.  But, whatever you do, don’t ask Chris Harrison what he thinks.  He’s got enough problems.