Venus Williams Breaks Silence on Unrest, George Floyd

Tennis star Venus Williams broke her silence on the recent displays of police brutality in the wake of the George Floyd protest.

What We Know:

• Williams wrote in a post that it “saddened”  her that it took multiple acts of police brutality for voices to be heard. She continued by saying the recent union within the protest has ” brought her to tears”. Williams expressed that “just as sexism is not only a ‘women’s issue,’ racism is not only a ‘black issue”.
• Williams says, “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”.
• Williams then expressed her own instances of union referencing her and sister Serena’s fight for equal Grand Slam prize money. Williams says “When we fought for and won equal prize money, everyone pitched in, men and women, all colors all races. And we won…Keep speaking out. Speak out today, tomorrow, next month, next year, each and every day until all is equal for African Americans,” Williams said. “I pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families so America could finally wake up and act.”

 

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I am deeply saddened that it has taken multiple acts of police brutality to make people painfully aware of the racism that still pervades America. 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

A post shared by Venus Williams (@venuswilliams) on Jun 8, 2020 at 5:03pm PDT

In closing Venus Williams stated that the answer lies in loving, listening and believing one another, and this is something we should all take into consideration.