Serena Williams wins the gold after a stunning performance, does a little dance — and Reid Forgrave practically pisses his pants that she did the "Crip Walk" in the "lily-white" fields of Wimbledon.
Then the 30-year-old who will end her career as one of the greatest tennis players of all time did something that could be interpreted two ways: As a stupid and insensitive celebration that dampened the crowning moment, or as a joy-filled nod to her roots.
The woman who grew up in Compton did the Crip Walk.
For the uninitiated, the Crip Walk is a funky little hip-hop dance move made famous by Crip gang members in Compton in the 1970s. And there was Serena — the tennis legend, the winner of 14 individual Grand Slams, the best player of her generation, the American girl being crowned at the All-England Club as the queen of tennis — Crip-Walking all over the most lily-white place in the world.
… She pumped her fist, jumped up and down, looked into the crowd, then did her ill-timed dance. You couldn’t help but shake your head. It was as if Serena just couldn’t seem to avoid dipping into waters of controversy even as she’d ascended to the top of her sport.
…This was also the extraordinary American tennis star losing control for a moment and Crip-Walking at Wimbledon. Blinded by her joy, she walked all over her crowning moment.
Really, Reid? Because I looked at a video, and it looked like a happy little dance from a new gold medalist. I suspect most folks wouldn't have given it a second thought if you hadn't been soooooo adamant as to point out her (gasp) Compton background and the "gang" origins of … well, a happy little dance.
Classy, Reid.
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Serena flubs crowning moment
Serenas victory dance her only fault in golden moment.
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OMG BLACK PEOPLE
You know, when you have to explain to people the context of why they should be offended, introducing them to an entirely new concept, there is probably not a lot of offensiveness going on there.
I presume the Williams sisters have accepted the fact that there are people in America who will never acknowledge their achievements regardless of what they do. Unfortunately racists tend to pollute anything that is good about everything. It is best to ignore them and get on with your life. Serena is a proud black woman and some of us are proud of her achievements.