People's "Sexiest Man Alive" covers
photo: People Magazine

For the past 32 years, People magazine has given one lucky male celebrity the coveted title of "Sexiest Man Alive." 

Mel Gibson was the first man to earn the honor back in 1985, and a slew of ~sexy~ men have followed.

Singer Adam Levine was named People's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2013.

photo: Giphy

There's certainly nothing "un-sexy" about past winners (a list that includes Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Reynolds, Chris Hemsworth, and Channing Tatum). 

They're all arguably attractive men — but unfortunately, that's not the only trait they have in common...

All but two of People's "Sexiest Men Alive" have been white.

photo: Giphy

In 1996, Denzel Washington became People's first non-white "Sexiest Man Alive" (which had been a "thing" for over a decade at that point). 

Washington remained the only non-white "Sexiest Man Alive" until Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson was given the honor last year.

I know what you're thinking: "It's 2017! Society is woke as hell now! The next 'Sexiest Man Alive' will certainly keep diversity in mind!

Well, you're wrong.

People has announced that Blake Shelton is 2017's "Sexiest Man Alive."

Who was People's "Sexiest Man Alive" in 2017?
photo: People Magazine

His cover hit newsstands on Wednesday.

It's not that Shelton isn't "sexy" enough for the honor; the problem is that he represents the one particular "type" of sexy that we keep seeing over and over again.

When People only chooses white men for its "Sexiest Man Alive" title, it sends the message that other races *aren't* sexy.

Which is so obviously not true.

Black men are sexy. Asian men are sexy. Latino men are sexy. Multiracial men are sexy.

So why are white men the only ones who get to shine?

People's idea of what the "Sexiest Man Alive" looks like remains horribly outdated.