ABC 'The View' Cast Members and Changes 2015: Latina Leaders Start #YoSoyRosie in Defense of 'Racist' Comments About Host Rosie Perez
After Variety reported Rosie Perez is leaving "The View," the Latina actress was reportedly insulted by sources at the show, and now Latinas want an apology.
According to The Wrap, someone told the Daily News that Perez was "not the sharpest tool in the box," while another source told Variety that she "can't read a TelePrompTer."
Now, prominent Latinas are sticking up for the Puerto Rican star. In an open letter to executive producers, Latina leaders asked the show to apologize for its comments, reports Latino Rebels.
"We are outraged that in the past few weeks a source from 'The View' has been dispensing derogatory information to the press about Rosie Perez ..." the letter starts off.
The letter goes on to call the comments about Perez "racist" and "sexist."
"Questioning a woman's intelligence is an old stereotype that is sexist and in this case, also racist," the letter continued. "The stereotype that Latinas are stupid is outrageous. There is no excuse for this behavior. Network officials should not tolerate this kind of racist conduct."
The Latina leaders accuse the show of implying that Perez is dumb and cannot read. They also say Perez is an important member of the community and should not be treated in such a way. Not only has Perez worked in Broadway and movies, she is also an author and serves as a member of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV & AIDS.
The letter added that it took "The View" 18 years to cast a Latina, and that in "less than four months" she was being slandered.
"The fact that in less than four months someone from your staff and network is slandering her is not only outrageous but, unacceptable," the Latina leaders said. "
In addition, the letter calls out Variety.
"We are furthermore disappointed that industry leader, Variety, chose to go with a story quoting an anonymous insider and failed to give Ms. Perez and her management an opportunity to respond. This is shoddy journalism at its best," the letter said.
The letter is signed #YoSoyRosie, or #IAmRosie in English, and those who support Perez have used the hashtag on social media.
Damn, I started watching @TheView again bc of @rosieperezbklyn She's the only one on there w/ any real political consciousness! #YoSoyRosie
— NB Reed (@bethrwrites) January 22, 2015
no matter what women are capable of, no matter how amazing we are, we are always the punchline. enough is enough. #YoSoyRosie — malinda (@_mama) January 22, 2015
#latinas who don't support #yosoyrosie. It's real easy, move out of the way and let the rest of us support @rosieperezbklyn.
— Linda Nieves-Powell (@oddgirlin) January 22, 2015
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