The never-ending headache of ‘Basketball Wives’ and colorism
Facial features have historically contributed to colorism
Editor’s note (March 17, 2021): After watching the ridiculous interactions between O.G., Malaysia and Jackie — in addition to the outburst with Nia and Noria Dorsey — I’m tapping out. I thought O.G. had a very strong point (listed below). Now I just think she’s lashing out at everybody, and likes using the word “colorist.” The only people who deserve all that heat now is Evelyn and Feby.
There are some reality TV shows that I can laugh at like comedy shows (i.e. “Love & Hip Hop” series in New York, Atlanta and Hollywood) and others that always put me in a bad mood (ex. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” in any scene Porsha Williams isn’t in). But there is one show that is the equivalent of vampires. It sucks every single positive thought out of my head to the point of dust: “Basketball Wives.”
There have been full seasons that I didn’t bother to watch. It’s “Mean Girls” with melanin — as long as the features are right. However, I love the new Jennifer, the one who couldn’t even put a “fuck” on layaway. This Jennifer is not cradling Evelyn Lozada’s bottom nor trying to fight for a toxic friendship. She’s just chilling and living her best life. Then came Ogom “OG” Chijindu, who added a down-to-Earth feel that had completely disappeared once Meeka Claxton and Royce Reed threw up the peace sign. I tuned in again for OG and OG only.
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By now, if you’ve watched Season 8 of “Basketball Wives,” you already know the side eyes and snide comments made toward former football player OG when it came to her being “aggressive” and hostile and angry — all while flippantly overlooking the Puerto Rican lady who was fighting everyone and jumping off tables for several seasons — with and without Tami Roman throwing a few fists here and there. You’ve seen the laughing monkey emoji from Evelyn Lozada. You’ve heard Evelyn describe OG as a “bugaboo” — Spike Lee’s “School Daze” style. You’ve heard the nitwit new cast member Phoebe, who thinks “nincumpoop” is Shakespearean terminology, describe OG as “ugly.”
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You may have even seen Kristen go on and on about how she and OG are the same complexion, so the treatment OG got could not have possibly been colorism. And somehow someway an uncomfortable amount of people are completely overlooking that Tami’s behavior and Evelyn’s behavior is consistently dismissed as “keeping it real” while OG, who touched not one hair on anyone’s head, has been treated like Bishop in the film “Juice.” How many times does a black woman of a darker hue have to keep defending her own emotions while people overlook those of a lighter hue as just having a bad day.