Members of Big Brother season 23’s historic Cookout alliance have put out strong statements against the hate that season 24 contestant Taylor Hale has received in the house.
Last week, the new season of the hit reality competition premiered. Fans watched as Daniel Durston was named the first Head of Household (HOH) while the rest of the group battled to save themselves from the first eviction. During the episode, many of Hale’s fellow contestants targeted her for being “aggressive,” with them gossiping that she would “blow up” if she was put on the chopping block.
The personal stylist and pageant queen was later spotted crying during a portion of the live feeds.
Video of Taylor crying. This is how bad things have gotten in the house for a black woman. Big Brother really needs to deal with this. The way the houseguests are treating her is NOT okay. Internalized and subconscious racism, micro aggressions should not be tolerated #bb24 pic.twitter.com/P18uDJ0miZ
— (@VoFeeds) July 10, 2022
Following the first episodes, season 23 winner Xavier Prather, as well as his fellow Cookout alliance members Tiffany Mitchell, Hannah Chadda and Azah Awasum, took to Twitter to show support for Hale while slamming the current Big Brother contestants for their treatment of their Black housemate.
Prather called out the 'micro-aggressions and unconscious biases' from Hale's housemates.
Prather wrote in part, “Members of the black community (especially black women) and other people of color stand no chance in the Big Brother House due to perpetuation of micro-aggressions and unconscious biases which plague our society.”
He continued, “I acknowledge my shortcomings during my time on Big Brother and can’t help but feel partially responsible for some of the reprehensible behavior I see being exhibited by current houseguests who consider me one of their ‘favorites.’ For that, I’d like to apologize for being an accessory to any ongoing issues.”
Prather hopes that Black houseguests will 'escape the feeling of being ostracized' on 'Big Brother.'
To whom it may concern… #BB24 pic.twitter.com/aQfpxuWLYf
— Xavier Prather (@xaviereprather) July 10, 2022
Mitchell also vocalized her support for Hale.
“This convo with Monte [Taylor] and Terrance [Higgins] has me FUMING,” Mitchelle wrote via Twitter. “Two black men gossiping and tearing down another black woman who actually did NOTHING to them. Accusing her of being condesending [sic] because she actually has a personality.”
She added, “I’m emotional today. … It’s difficult to express how I feel about our season because I am just now realizing that I’m hurt. I do forgive you because I love you and I know your intentions where [sic] not malicious and we are all learning.”
This convo with monte and Terrance has me FUMING! two black men gossiping and tearing down another black woman who actually did NOTHING to them. Accusing her of being condesending because she actually has a personality #BB24
— Tiffany Mitchell (@absolutelytiff) July 10, 2022
I’m already emotional today and you’re making me cry. I love you X. It’s difficult to express how I feel about our season because I am just now realizing that I’m hurt. I do forgive you because I love you and I know your intentions where not malicious and we are all learning. ❤️ https://t.co/zz5O2BJ22r
— Tiffany Mitchell (@absolutelytiff) July 10, 2022
Awasum wrote:
I made a cognizant effort to “dial back” in the house for these exact reasons.Dark skinned women always have this in the back of our heads. CBS teaches about racial microagressions but a section on colorism would be beneficial.Taylor’s light will shine outside this house. #bb24
— Azäh Awasum | (@azah_awasum) July 10, 2022
She also called out the colorism specifically:
I see questions on my timeline showing some confusion over what Taylor is experiencing. Giving the definition of colorism for context.
Colorism:prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone,typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. #bb24— Azäh Awasum | (@azah_awasum) July 11, 2022
Chaddha retweeted the others' statements while clapping back against the remarks that two of the BIPOC contestants made about BB23.
couldn’t have articulated this better myself xavier https://t.co/PugyMS7jny
— Hannah Chaddha (@hannah_chaddha) July 10, 2022
actually we ensured the 1st black winner of 1 of the most popular unscripted shows, displayed unity & solidarity, and actively strove to reverse the discrimination & ostracism that have historically been inflicted on black HGs FOR the sake of future black HGs including yourselves https://t.co/IMoxSPbgkg
— Hannah Chaddha (@hannah_chaddha) July 11, 2022