Love Island needs an Emmy for how they portrayed Black women this season

Black women have never been so up

Spoilers ahead!!

I’m not sure if it’s crazy or ambitious that I binged all 35 episodes of Love Island USA in 4 days. Either way, I am proud of myself. It’s been hard to escape the cultural conversation around this season (Season 6) so I had to tap in. I’ve seen a lot of reality tv and the way the producers of Love Island USA made America fall in love with Serena and Jana is so commendable. Truly shocked me to my core. All other reality TV shows should take note.

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Black Women 🤝🏾 Love Island

For the first time in Love Island history, a fully black couple won the prize money. Not the first time in Love Island USA, the first time across ANY season in ANY country! I am disappointed but not surprised.

The fact that they were matching episode 1 like please be serious rn they’re so cute

Serena and Kordell (Odell Beckham Jr.’s little brother) turned their friends-to-lovers story into gold and took home 50k each. Although they were not MY pick for the winners (I am forever team Jana and Kenny) I can’t deny their chemistry and Kordell’s growth deserved to win.

PPG (Power Puff Girls) and Jana (left) confirmed that she is bubbles, Leah (middle) is Blossom, and Serena (right) is Buttercup. And….yeah that tracks.

When I first started this season I was surprised that we had not one but TWO dark-skinned black girls on the season. Not only that they were best friends and not made to be the villains! Take notes Bachelornation! Serena and Jana’s friendship was so beautiful to watch and reminded me of so many of my own friendships with fellow Black women. From the way Jana was ready to go beat up those girls from Casa. To Serena defending Jana not getting voted off instead of Andrea. These girls really love each other and you could see that from miles away.

I loved that they were both dark-skinned Black women but their personalities couldn’t be more different. Jana is more soft-spoken and bubbly and Serena is more guarded and funny. It showed America that there is more than one way to be a Black woman and both are valid. For the record, I am more of a Serena. We have the same sunglasses after all. She’s also the same age as me and is a media planner…..which was my last job……spooky.

I also loved that they were two of the original girls and only had one little fight. Which was when Jana made Miguel breakfast and gave it to him in the middle of him talking to Serena. But even Serena couldn’t be that mad because that man is fine and Jana had been deprived of a man for so long. That scene is so funny I can’t lie. Watching Jana try to justify it “If a man is hungry…. I’m sorry in my culture it’s rude to not feed him!” TV GOLD.

My favorite thing about the Black women this season was seeing both of them fall in love. While yes Black women are the full package, it’s sad that most people don’t see that. Black women are often seen as the pit stop to actual love. Objects you have sex with but never marry. The person you date before you get serious. This season showed the world and Black women everywhere that we deserve love. Love with another Black person at that!¹

It’s sad that it’s so rare to see Black women in healthy relationships. Both Serena and Jana’s relationships had their rocky moments (Serena more than Jana no shade) but in the end, it’s undeniable that those men care for those women. The way Connor disregarded Jana for Leah the second she was single was so gross. Tale as old as time for Black women, unfortunately. A Black woman tossed away for the girl with fairer skin and straighter hair. Kanye West is crazy but he still gets his clock-is-right-twice-a-day moment for “And when he get on he’ll leave your ass for a white girl.”² I quote that all the time because it is SO TRUE. Kanye literally did that!

The way Kenny used every breath in his body to win Jana back was so beautiful to see. The way Kordell practically begged on his hands and knees to win Serena back was the highlight of the season. No matter how beautiful these two couples are, a part of me wishes that neither had to go through any hardships to get the love they deserve. I know that these two agreed to be isolated on an island participating in a dating show for two months. So asking for no drama is kind of unrealistic, but still.

The amount of times I have been insecure because a guy clearly likes the white girl at the function and not me. You would think that only white men were rejecting Black women, but to be honest, it’s equally Black men as it is white. It’s so sad that I get shocked whenever a Black man actually has a Black girlfriend (and a dark-skinned one at that). When a white guy has a Black girlfriend I’m always more sympathetic to her situation. Too often Black men date white women to spite Black women for various reasons. Black women are just trying to get the love that is offered to them. For many, it’s slim pickings.

I was having a conversation with my other Love Island obsessed friend and mentioned that I hope that this season makes more people want to date Black women. This season plus the Kamala news? Black women are reaching unprecedented levels of support. I’m not sure where we go from here. Will this season of Love Island open people’s eyes to the beauty of Black women? Will this encourage Love Island to have more Black contestants so there are more opportunities for Black women to find love? Honestly, I am a pessimist so I doubt it. But, one can only hope. In the meantime, I will be not participating in this mess and patiently waiting for my Kenny. And also tuning in for the reunion on August 19th! I have never been more SAT in my entire life.

1. I don’t know Kenny’s race. I know one of his parents is Dominican but sometimes Dominicans don’t claim to be Black so i’m not sure. For most of the season I thought he was Black so he’s gonna be Black until proven otherwise!

2. He literally did that!!!!!