R-E-S-P-E-C-T Her !
One of the greatest tennis players of our time is making news headlines this week but its not about her talent. French Tennis Federation director, Bernard Giudicelli has issued a new ‘strict’ dress code which now bans Serena Williams from wearing her new popular ‘catsuit’ on the tennis court. In his own words Bernard said:
” I Believe We Have Sometimes Gone Too Far. You Have To Respect The Game Place ”
The timing of this new ruling is ‘dangerous’ and ‘disrespectful’ at best. Serena made her fashionable tennis return debut in a superhero inspired fit with Nike at the 2018 Grand Slam French Open; an homage to newly mothers alike who suffered similar complications post birth.
I Had Alot Of Problems With Blood Clots. I Don’t Know How Many I Have Had In The Past 12 Months, But It Definitely Has Little Functionality To It. It’s A Fun Suit, But It’s Also Functional So I’m Able To Play Without Any Problems. – Serena Williams
Catsuit anyone? For all the moms out there who had a tough recovery from pregnancy—here you go. If I can do it, so can you. Love you all!! pic.twitter.com/xXb3BKDGNF
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) May 29, 2018
Bernard specifically singles out Serena Williams ‘inappropriate’ outfit as the result of his new ruling so let’s be honest here and call it for what it is. A black, excellent and gifted athlete who shows up on the tennis court fully covered is somehow an extreme ‘offense’ to the federation and in need of disciplinary action. GTFOH!
Her ‘playing’ clothes are being restricted from the federation because she’s a black woman in a black catsuit. Why is Serena Williams outfit an issue now? And, what about her tennis counterparts who’ve all shown us their natural body parts over the years . Clearly, no problematic issue for women tennis players to wear skirts and give the crowd those good ole’ upskirt views huh! It seems as though, the 23-time Grand Slam champion’s beautiful, solid, and voluptuous body maybe intimidating the tournament owners.
Maria Sharapova
Anna Korakova
Lucie Safarova
Bethanie Mattek
The 1793 American Encyclopedia Brittanica also found the black female form “disrespectful” so much so that it comments on our genitalia #Frenchopen #SerenaWilliams pic.twitter.com/g8ApzYyJMd
— Seychelles_Green (@activistHistori) August 24, 2018
Serena Williams (2018) Anne White (1985)
Serena Williams talent should be the primary focus and observation while on the court. To issue this public scrutiny is yet another shameful racist act disguised in the form of dress code conduct. A repeated cycle of the tennis federation stance against women (sexism) and people of color (racism) .
In 1890, Wimbledon issued a ‘Tennis Whites’ ruling that permits all players (to this day) to perform in mostly all white uniforms only. This move by Wimbledon was too a racist/sexist move made in disguise to uphold their standard of ‘conservative’ dress on the court and inside their stadium. Women were instructed to wear knee length skirts. Almost a century later, Anne White made a controversial stir when she stepped out in an all white catsuit attire. White won victory over her opponent but was asked to never wear ‘that’ attire again.
In 2018, high profile athlete, Serena Williams has become the subjugation of the French Open federation new tennis ruling (for similar underlying reasons like Wimbledon) and its time THE PEOPLE reject, resist and ‘change the status quo’ of the French Open ruling instead.
One Love PLUMS!