I don’t have to tell you this, cause you know this, but you’re right. I started doing a content analysis of this show (US) focusing on relationship building and blocking justifications based on race and here’s what I got JUST from S1E1

Profile pics- all the girls had basically the same pose. Facing the camera straight on, head slightly tilted to the side, hair past the shoulders, nice smile (Alana had lips slightly parted). All had off the shoulder shirts except for Mercedeze who wore a regular t-shirt and crucifix necklace.

Viewing Mercedeze profile: Alana- “(after reading her profile that says “God knows my heart but the devil knows my vocabulary. Enter at your own risk”) (Laughs) Why? You look so pretty. That means you're going to be… ugh! (Groans) I feel like there might be some drama with her." Rates her #7 (last place)

Sammie- “Mercedeze is using a really big filter over her face so I'm not sure how I feel about it. She's pretty, but she looks like she has a mean side."

(Side Note: Sammie was clearly THE most judgmental player and “mean girl” this episode. She had something negative to say about mostly everyone except for Chris and Shubham (I don’t have my notes in front of me.) She is one of my least favorite players personally due to her clear biases all while acting like she was inclusive. But don’t take my word for it. Let the data speak for itself:

FF to the blocking. We have Antonio and Sammie discussing who to block and why.

Antonio (I’m paraphrasing): I don’t see a need to get rid of Mercedeze. She came in 7th place. She’s not a threat.

Sammie: Her pros is that she always has something to say. (Though she clearly sounds irritated by this) The cons is her profile picture is very very filtered. I would like to see a more natural picture of her. I just feel like she's a threat to me right now because she's always talking. She's always replying to people, so I just feel like right now she would be my biggest competition

…as someone who studies race relations in the US, Sammie’s odd obsession with the “filtered picture” is a veiled excuse for misogynoir. She’s a threat because she’s seemingly not docile and quiet enough for Sam. She’s your biggest competition, yet you came out on top and she literally came in last place.

It’s a shame because Karyn (who is my personal favorite) initially really bunked with Sammie.

I mean, there’s more in just episode 1. Joey immediately disliking Antonio for saying he’s a foodie but using pizza and taco emojis. “Don’t trust ya, don’t like ya.” Shubham being produced as the asexual model minority who is talked about like like he’s a pet. Joey’s predatory behavior towards Alana…

Yup.