A Tribute to Venus and Serena Williams

Be still my heart! No, this blog is not an ode to Homer. This is merely my reaction to watching the Williams sisters in action.

In case you’ve been living under a rock, the Williams sisters I refer to are Venus and Serena Williams, tennis’ dynamic duo, the saving grace of America for the sport, the apples of the African-American community’s eye. I absolutely love these girls. They make me so proud every time I see them suit up to play the game they’ve come to dominate. Two young women from the inner-city of Los Angeles infiltrated and took over this game so closely held by the Caucasian persuasion called tennis.

I’m sure Venus and Serena Williams never intended to become role models, but they are. I’m in the same age group as these women, yet I look up to them in awe. The ability to take the court time and time again in the face of adversity and blatant racism, yet always remaining professional and continuing to excel in spite of it all, all under the watchful eye of the world media, is nothing short of commendable.

Recently, I read the following on NPR’s website, “The current Wimbledon officially certifies that American tennis no longer exists except for that one family, name of Williams.” And although I detect a tinge of hate in this statement, it is truly undeniable.

To deny their invaluable presence in the sport is to expose your own prejudice and ignorance. In retrospect, I kick myself for not accompanying my friend Jasmyne on an interview she did of Serena Williams for the July 2008 issue of Ebony magazine (it’s the cover story, check it out). I’m sure if I ever had the chance to meet either one of the Williams sisters in person and could utter one thing, in one breath, it would merely be “Thank You.”

Love you girls. Fan for life.

Speak soon,

~ J

~ by www.blackgaygossip.com on July 8, 2008.