“Basketball Wives” fans have drawn up a petition calling on executive producer Shaunie O’Neal to give Evelyn Lozada the ax after she made a racist comment about CeCe Gutierrez.
On Sunday night’s episode, the ladies sat down for dinner when Lozada confronted Gutierrez for a comment she allegedly made about her apparent lack of work.
Things began to get heated when Lozada asked Gutierrez about a nickname the “Livin’ Lozada” star heard her castmate gave her and Jennifer Williams: Tweedle Dumb and Tweedle Dumber
“You always have a problem, Evil-lyn,” Gutierrez says after Lozada deems her “fake.”
“No, I have a problem with you. I have a problem with you, Lee-Lee,” Lozada says.
The moment, which Malaysia Pargo explained was a reference to the nail shop technician, was slammed as racist by Gutierrez and those who watched the show.
As such, a fan named Jay Dominique started a Change.org petition to have Lozada fired from the reality series.
“This racial comment ‘SLUR’ is unacceptable, especially from a show with a majority female and minority cast. Regardless of being Black, white, skinny, fat, diabetes, gay, lesbian, transgender, Asian… It’s unacceptable to make fun of someone because of these things, and Ms. Lozada has done this on multiple occasions throughout the show’s runtime,” the letter addressed to O’Neal and VH1 reads in part. “The viewers of VH1’s ‘Basketball Wives’ demand Ms. Lozada be terminated from employment indefinitely… by the executive producer Shaunie O’Neal or the other VH1 underlying personnel.
“If not, expect the show to drop in massive ratings, as we the viewers will not tolerate sexism, racism, homophobia, transphobia, fat-shaming, or any other type of harassment and injustice,” the memo concluded.
The petition is seeking just 500 supporters. Since it was started Sunday night, it’s already gotten past the halfway point toward its goal with over 390 signatures gathered.
Fans have eagerly been sharing why they support the appeal.
“I don’t agree with any type of racism and it has to stop. Evillin needs to go.”
“This behavior is inexcusable. Racism is a real-life issue in today’s society. I can’t support this show with someone like Evelyn on it. Stop allowing racism to take place VH1.”
“I’m signing because we advocate too much to let this slide. I wish the entire show was canceled but we must start somewhere.”
