Hall of Shame Moment: Amazing Race 6's Kendra – The Ugliest American of Them All

The Amazing Race is definitely a ride! You have no idea what route the race will follow, what countries you’ll visit, what tasks you’ll do. When you sign up for the race, surely you know that this will not be a pleasure trip. It won’t be four-star accommodations and bon bons on your pillow at night. Kendra Bentley knew this, right?

Maybe she forgot.

During her jaunt through Senegal, Kendra made cracks about smells and heat. Those I understood. Having been to the continent personally, it is jolting how the senses are assaulted by the arid air and the smells of a country that still clings to its history in many technologically unevolved ways. What Kendra misses is that it’s not a matter of better or worse. It’s different. It’s a different way of life. If she lived in Africa, she would probably find herself acclimated sooner than she would even imagine. Not much chance of that though. And, it’s hardly Africa’s loss.

The racers were given the opportunity to visit a building known as the Gateway of No Return. This was the launch point where uncountable numbers of Africans were misled into being shipped to America to live their lives in undignified servitude. All of the teams, even Kendra and Freddy, seemed moved by the experience. I was moved and I wasn’t even there!

Here where it gets just... unspeakable. Having experienced this monument, most of us would carry that emotion with us for awhile. Not our Kendra. See, Kendra couldn’t wait to get out of the country and away from the people there. On the way to the airport, she remarked that she couldn’t deal with "the poverty" and she didn’t understand why these people "continued to breed!" Breed. Like cattle.

Once in Berlin, Kendra was just exultant. "This is so much better than the ghetto third world!" she fairly trilled. Those of us who have had the experience of traveling abroad generally feel some inherent responsibility to represent ourselves as invited guests, and treat the country hosting us with respect and civility. If it were going to be just like home, why bother going? All of these things eluded Kendra, who made herself sound like a spoiled, insensitive... witch.

Besides the fact that she is a visitor to someone else’s home; besides the fact that her visit to the Gateway is a trip that 99.9% of us will ever have and it should have had more of an impact on her; besides the fact that these countries didn’t have to let her gallivant around in her track pants and her bandanna; you would think that a little bit of the history of a proud people would inspire her to hold her tongue. No one can control what she thinks, but she didn’t have to spew her ugliness while in earshot of cab drivers, who had every right to be offended (and I’m sure he let her butt stew in that traffic jam on purpose), and on camera, and in front of the world (because The Amazing Race is being seen in countries way beyond the good ol’ USA). In this age where the United States’ popularity as a world leader has never been as questionable, there is Kendra embodying every ugly shallow, spoiled, disinterested, arrogant stereotype that we Americans have around the world.

And she didn’t even feel bad about it.

Kendra’s behavior was just shameful. Just. Shameful. It’s beyond defending, and that is why Kendra has been awarded this Reality TV Hall of Shame Moment. Maybe she will learn something before this race is over. But, I wouldn’t bet on it.

Unfortunately, Episode 5 of The Amazing Race 6 had not just this Hall of Shame Moment, but another as well. Be sure to check out Hall of Shame Moment: Jonathan’s Anger Goes Too Far on ‘The Amazing Race 6’ as well.

Sting7 has been a respected published writer for 16 years, as a music editor, entertainment critic, columnist, and interviewer. He also has a curious love for pro-wrestling! You can email Stinger at stingseven@yahoo.com.

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