There’s a new star on The Bachelorette, and it’s not Rachel Lindsay! As much as I love America’s favorite Texan lawyer, I have to say that Eric’s Aunt Verna has stolen my heart, and she can keep it forever. Rachel met Aunt Verna on her hometown date with Eric, and these two clicked. They chatted about Eric, of course, but Rachel and Aunt Verna also had a thoughtful, poignant conversation about how race has affected Rachel on The Bachelorette.
I know that Eric didn’t have a great childhood, but it’s nice to see that he’s come out the other side, and so, I think, has his family. Aunt Verna is the life of the party — she’s vivacious and fun and asks the tough questions. That means you knew she was going to sit down and pick Rachel’s brain. When asked about the “R.A.C.E.” word, as Aunt Verna put it, Rachel said that she wasn’t entirely prepared for what being the first black Bachelorette meant. Rachel said:
“It’s a lot of pressure because you’re being judged by two different [groups]. I’m getting judged by black people, and I’m getting judged by everyone else. Eric and I talked about, we both struggle being selfish, but in this position, I have to if I want to get what I really want. I want love. It doesn’t have a color, so my journey for love shouldn’t be any different than the other 12 Bachelorettes that were in front of me. So I’m gonna make the best decision for me.”
I think this was the moment where Rachel and Aunt Verna clicked. I've seen plenty of ugly hometown dates, so this one was a nice change. If Rachel doesn’t choose Eric to be her husband, I think Rachel and Aunt Verna need to become pen pals or something. She may not find love with Eric, but she could find it with Verna. I know I did.
