When I first began writing this piece, I wanted to explain why the impact of Serena Williams is so important in today's society. But then I began to contemplate the affect Serena has had on me, especially as African American women, myself. As I watched Serena’s remarks after winning her 23rd Grand Slam title, I was overcome with emotion. She began by first thanking God and then thanked her sister for her continued success. In that moment, I decided not to only speak about Serena in the context of her greatness, but in the context of how her mere existence has helped to enable the positive progress of young African American women. Through her achievements, we see that we can be both African American and successful.
From all of the young African American women out there and those that will come, I would like to thank you Serena Williams for your impeccable success. With each tournament you enter, each win you achieve, each title you obtain, I am increasingly motivated to pursue my dreams and passions. To me, Serena Williams is one of the greatest athletes of all time. Serena Williams is a tennis phenom. Serena Williams is a business woman. Serena Williams is a woman. Serena Williams is an African American. Serena Williams is success, beautifully and femininely personified. But despite being all of these things and so much more, Serena Williams' status as the best athlete in the modern era hasn't come easily.
Throughout her life, Serena Williams has forged a path that makes it easier for young women like myself to pursue and accomplish their dreams. She encourages us to have the fortitude, perseverance and resilience needed to knock over the smallest or the largest obstacles in our way. So thank you Serena Williams for being nothing short of the best.
Let me explain why Serena William’s is the best from a Blackgirl’s point of view. As young Blackgirls we are taught several major lessons: Faith is important, you must be twice as good as your white colleagues, education is essential, make sure your “style” doesn’t overshadow your work and keep your attitude checked. Throughout her entire career, Serena has addressed each of those lessons, making her one of the greatest athletes of all time.
Serena’s life
Serena Williams began her childhood in Compton, California. By all accounts, Serena and her sister were not supposed to be who they are today because they were 1) African American, 2) women and 3) from an impoverished neighborhood. Serena and Venus Williams heeded their father’s vision of them becoming tennis players, made it their own and then transcended it. Serena Williams began playing tennis at the tender age of three. She went on to make her professional debut at 14 years old. The next few years, she would lose some major tournaments but still make large gains as a young pro player. But she would silence all of the critics with her victory against Steffi Graf. In 1999, she would continue in Althea Gibson’s footsteps and become the second African American woman to win at the U.S. Open. But like most of Serena’s victories, this win was unique because she bested her older white female colleagues. Now we fast forward to January 28, 2017; Serena Williams won her twenty-third grand slam victory. This victory is important for so many reasons, she surpasses Steffi Graf’s record for grand slam victories and this became the first time she received the same winnings as her male counterparts.
Faith and Family
Growing up, my mother always told me that I owed everything that I am and will be to God and the ancestors. Together, both God and the ancestors will always offer me solace, guidance and knowledge. But most of all, my mom wanted me to know God looked like me and each person on earth also resembled God. Serena Williams’ faith is embodied in every step she makes. She makes no apologies for her religion, her faith and the role she believes it has and continues to play in her life. Serena Williams public embrace of her deep belief and faith encourages other young African American women to believe that there is a higher entity other than ourselves that provides for us in so many ways. Like Serena Williams, we rely on our families, we rely on our God. With our God and Family, we know that from the smallest to the biggest challenges, we will be guided and protected. Spirituality is a big force within African American women that continues to push them and encourages them to pursue success.
twice as GOOD
Each achievement Serena Williams has accomplished in her life may be viewed as facts. But for me these aren’t just facts, instead they are indicators of resilience and success. African American parents have always taught their children that they have to be twice as good as their best white colleague. What does that mean? It means that for many African American children, being the best African American student wasn’t enough, they had to be better than the best white student. Often, being the best African American relegates you to a specific category or results in limited success. But being better than your white colleague gave you the freedom to be acknowledged as just the best. This freedom is something that our parents and their parents and the parents that came before them have strived for. The idea of being considered the best - despite being African American or a woman - is an ongoing pursuit. Serena Williams' success was often attributed to having a controlling father or her anatomy but not due to her skill set and tenacity. However, due to her resilience and achievements, her success is now solely attributed to her ability and intelligence. To be able to transcend the imposed explanations of success is a goal for every African American and especially every African American woman.
non-traditional education
Serena Williams' ability to win and to win against the person who everyone considered the best without traditional training is yet another thing that makes her phenomenal. Richard Williams, father of Serena Williams, enrolled his daughter in some of the best tennis academies around during that time. But there came a point when Mr. Williams decided he could train his daughters better than anyone else could. Mr. Williams also wanted to create an environment that would allow his daughters to become their best selves. Traditional education and training systems are typically reflective of their creators. Such systems do not allow for someone to have a different approach and different learning process. Through the work of psychiatrists Amos Wilson, educators such as Asa Hilliard and many others, it has been established that African Americans learn differently than their White counterparts. For Serena, to become the best in part through her tailored training is a triumph for African Americans and African American women who have faced challenges in school but still persist and ultimately become successful. Her success confirms that its okay to approach your career with your own personal style.
STYLISH IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
Fashion and hair are two very important things to an African American woman. Serena Williams began her career by styling her hair in iconic braids and beads. Though simple and practical enough, wearing her hair in a natural hairstyle left an indelible mark on the minds of young African American girls growing up. Adorning herself with a natural hairstyle, all while becoming a tennis superstar, is yet another reason why Serena Williams is the best. On a daily basis, I contemplate how to make my hair reflective of my own individual sense of style but still comply with the norms of my occupation. Being able to witness Serena’s success with her cornrows, braids and naturally styled weaves affirms for many African American women that you can be beautiful and successful on your own natural terms. Serena is definitely on the thicker side of things, and throughout her career, many people have commented on her tennis playing outfits. Those comments that objectified her body, lacked understanding and most of all respect. While all African American women do not share the same body type, Serena’s complete embrace of her curves on such a major stage is monumental to African American women, who are able to do the same.
No she does not have an attitude
Throughout her career, Serena Williams has carried herself in an exemplary manner. Always gracious to the game, the rules and her opponents; Serena Williams also isn’t afraid to express her her opinions. Sometimes those opinions are in support of social justice for people like her, or advocating for equal pay for women, or highlighting those who are unfair in their comments towards her. On occasion, Serena has even expressed those opinions in French. African American women are frequently encumbered by how their “attitude” maybe perceived in the workplace. Williams’ ability to continue to be the best while also expressing herself unfiltered is a testament to why she is the best on and off the field.
So yes, Serena is the best female athlete to exist, but she is also the best because she is making it a little easier to be an African American Woman! All in all, thank you Serena Williams! As a twenty-something who was raised solely by a strong African American woman, I received a great education through being homeschooled and attending private school institutions. This twenty-something African American woman would go on to graduate from two prestigious universities: Howard University and The New School. Then, she would lead a life that would allow her to live and work overseas. Yes Serena Williams, thank you for being the embodiment of being the best. Your graciousness has made it a little bit easier for me to become the best in my field too!