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Culture December 20, 2016
Serena Williams sat down with Common to speak up about how gender and race affects career as a black female athlete.
The celebrity duo appeared on the ESPN’s “The Undefeated In-Depth,” a show that features conversations with black athletes, according to Billboard. In the third episode, “Serena with Common” the tennis icon Williams shared her experiences working in the sports industry in an honest chat with entertainment star Common.
Williams is famous for her impressive athletic skill that has propelled her to the top of the tennis world. Williams and her sister, Venus, succeeded in the sports scene after growing up in less-than-ideal circumstances in Compton, California.
Since her humble beginnings, Williams has topped the sports charts with impressive stats, such as previously holding the No. 1 singles ranking from the Women’s Tennis Association. She has also numerous awards for her outstanding athletic career including The Best Female Athlete ESPY Award and Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year.
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Though their talk did highlight her achievements, the celebrity duo’s conversation also covered the discrimination Williams experienced as a black woman in a white man’s game. Williams shared that critics would bombard her with sexist and racist attacks, focusing on her “blackness” or weight rather than her performance on the court.
When recalling her experience with body-shamers, Williams asserts her self-assurance. “I guess they couldn’t relate to me because I’m black, I’m strong, I’m tall, I’m powerful and I’m confident,” she told Common.
Yet her road to confidence wasn’t always smooth. Williams had to overcome the insecurities she felt from the constant negative criticism of others before she could feel fully comfortable in her skin.
“There was a time where I didn’t feel incredibly comfortable about my body, because I felt like I was too strong,” Williams said. “And then I had to take a second and think, who says I’m too strong? This body has enabled me to be the greatest player I can be and I’m not going to scrutinize that. This is great. I mean, this is amazing.”
Despite being fed up with the system, the tennis icon refuses to give up the fight against sexism. Williams also discussed the obstacles women face within our society and how she is using her fame to give them a voice.
“Especially lately, I’ve been able to really, really speak up for women’s rights, as well, because I think that gets lost in color or gets lost in cultures,” Williams shared. “We are doctors, we are lawyers, we are athletes, we are everything. We are CEOs. Women make up so much of this world.”
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