Image courtesy of christels from Pixabay

On Monday’s episode of The Bachelor, eminently eligible Peter Weber shipped off to Costa Rica, where his suitors posed in bikinis for a shot at gracing the cover of Cosmo.

The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Jessica Pels, ultimately picked Victoria Fuller for the win.

Sadly, tragedy struck.

In a letter titled “Why We’re Not Publishing the Cosmo Bachelor Cover,” Jessica explained to readers why Victoria’s no longer victorious.

Here’s a bit:

“[W]hen it came time for me to choose the winner of the challenge — whose prize was a digital cover of Cosmo — all I knew about the contestants were their first names and the energy they conveyed through the camera lens.”

But Jessica soon stumbled upon a revelation: In a past modeling gig for a campaign, 26-year-old Victoria had worn…Trigger Warning…”White Lives Matter” merchandise.

#Canceled.

As per Jessica:

“[B]oth phrases and the belief systems [the organization’s campaign represents] are rooted in racism and therefore problematic. Unequivocally, the White Lives Matter movement does not reflect the values of the Cosmo brand. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and any cause that fights to end injustices for people of color.”

.@Cosmopolitan's @Jessica_Pels on Victoria F's cover shoot: "the White Lives Matter movement does not reflect the values of the Cosmo brand. We stand in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, and any cause that fights to end injustices for people of color." https://t.co/p2MYbuFo7h

— Emma Gray (@emmaladyrose) February 4, 2020

What “felt right” was to 86 the whole thing:

“My team and I had many long discussions about how we wanted to address this issue. We’d already printed the fashion shoot in our March issue, complete with an inset of the cover, and of course the episode had already been filmed. Ultimately, what felt right was choosing not to publish the digital cover on our website or social feeds, and simply being honest with you, the audience we respect, about what happened and where we stand.”

So there ya go — support racist White Lives Matters, and you’re outta there.

Oh — but there is one last detail: “White Lives Matter” refers to fish. It’s the slogan for a marlin conservation organization.

Jessica’s definitely right about one thing — if you have to choose between a group that supports people versus one that advocates for 10 species of snouted, finned sea creatures, it’s definitely people first.

Too bad those fish had to be pale. Same for those Great White creatures.

Hopefully, Victoria’s learned her lesson — if you wanna endorse an ocean dweller, avoid a sea of controversy and go Team Blackfish.

Truth. @SeaWorld any comment? #CaptivityKills #Blakcfish pic.twitter.com/FBUogi9gd4

— JustWendy (@treehugnliberal) February 8, 2014

For now, so far as getting filleted by crappie politics is concerned, she’s been there, done that, got the t-shirt.

https://t.co/pmGcvnk4Qi

— T.J Rothwell (@trothwell78) February 4, 2020

BONUS: It gets worse. The Ocean City Marina is also trying to save “Blue Lives” (blue marlin):

this is some BULL🤬! They are clearly wearing white and blue lives matters shirts in this picture for saving white and blue marlins! what in the hell l! Please SUE them for violating your freedom of speech! do it for America! Now you can be fish racist? cosmo can go 🤬 themselves pic.twitter.com/LV9JXUpgsP

— 🧱🧱Swift Justice🧱🧱 (@mymidnight11) February 4, 2020

It’s rough waters out there. Swim at your own risk.

-ALEX

See 3 more pieces from me:

45-Year-Old Convicted Sex Offender Protests to the Judge: He Identifies as an 8-Year-Old Girl

Dave Chappelle Crushes It on the First Amendment and Ends With a Big Announcement on ‘Dave Chappelle Day.’ Is This Comedy’s Great Hope?

Man Tries to Kidnap a 6-Year-Old Girl in California, a U.S. Army Vet Steps in With the Takedown of a Lifetime (Video)

Find all my RedState work here.

And please follow Alex Parker on Twitter and Facebook.

Thank you for reading! Please sound off in the Comments section below.