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Former World No. 1 and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams says she is "deeply saddened that it has taken multiple acts of brutality to make people painfully aware of the racism that still pervades America." Venus Williams has been a champion for equality in tennis for a long time and fought for equal prize money for all women’s players at the Grand Slams in tennis in which she was success.
In a post on Instagram, Williams says, "When we fought for and won equal prize money, everyone pitched in, men and women, all colors all races. And we won.. Until you have walked in these shoes, as an African American, it is impossible to understand the challenges you face in the country, in this world.
What it is like to be unheard, thought of foolish, silly or reckless to believe that racism still exists at every level."
Venus Williams on Black Lives Matter
She also says that she amazed at the support and unity that has come across all of America in recent days.
"I'm amazed at the solidarity that has erupted across the USA. It has brought me to tears... We have to love one another. Help one another. Listen to one another, believe one another, even if we don’t understand or will never walk in our neighbor’s shoes...
Keep speaking out. Speak out today, tomorrow, next month, next year, each and every day until all is equal for African Americans. I am so happy, so relieved, as an African American, to finally be heard." She ends her note by saying, "I pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families so America could finally start to wake up and act.’
Venus Williams, who turns 40 year old later this month, has been ranked No. 1 for a total of 11 weeks. Besides 7 Grand Slam singles titles, she has also won 14 Grand Slam Women's doubles titles, all with her sister Serena Williams. She has also won 2 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles.It shouldn’t. This just scratches the surface of the hideous face of racism in America. Take a moment to imagine this: If police brutality can exist and be tolerated so many years at this scale, imagine the other insidious acts of racism that permeate our country: In the workplace.
In the justice system. In the healthcare system. In the education system. ... Speaking up about racism in the past was unpopular. It was shunned. No one believed you. Until you have walked in these shoes, as an African American, it is impossible to understand the challenges you face in the country, in this world.
What it is like to be unheard, thought of foolish, silly or reckless to believe that racism still exists at every level. This is no longer falling on deaf ears. I’m amazed at the solidarity that has erupted across the USA.
It has brought me to tears. In the past, I had the honor of fighting for equal prize money for all women’s players at the grand slams in tennis. To make this even more simple to understand, just as sexism is not only a "women's issue," racism is not only a "black issue." When we fought for and won equal prize money, everyone pitched in, men and women, all colors all races.
And we won. When the majority groups stay quiet, when they sit in the chair of disbelief, they unwittingly condone the oppression of marginalized groups. Those with power and privilege actually have an easier time getting heard.
They must CONTINUALLY exercise that privilege! We MUST win! We cannot let systematic racism persist. We have to love one another. Help one another. Listen to one another, believe one another, even if we don’t understand or will never walk in our neighbor’s shoes.
Keep speaking out. Speak out today, tomorrow, next month, next year, each and every day until all is equal for African Americans. I am so happy, so relieved, as an African American, to finally be heard. I pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families so America could finally wake up and act.
#blacklivesmatter