At the 2019 ESPY Awards, tennis champion Serena Williams stole the show with her powerful and memorable acceptance speech for the Best Female Athlete award. Not only did she pay tribute to fellow athletes and women in sports, but she also took the opportunity to address the ongoing issue of racial inequality in the industry.
Williams began her speech by acknowledging the incredible talent and achievements of her fellow nominees, including gymnast Simone Biles and soccer player Alex Morgan. She then shifted the focus to the lack of diversity and representation in sports, stating, “We’ve all been given these amazing platforms to speak up and speak out, and it’s really important for us to use them.”
The 23-time Grand Slam winner then took a moment to address the recent controversy surrounding rapper Drake, who has been criticized for his courtside behavior and alleged favoritism towards certain athletes. Williams, who is a close friend of Drake, defended him by saying, “Not a single one of us, not even me, should ever pick a fight with Kendrick Lamar.”
She went on to explain that Lamar’s music and message of unity and empowerment should be the focus, rather than creating unnecessary drama. Williams also used the opportunity to showcase her dance moves, performing the Crip Walk to Lamar’s song “Not Like Us.”
The Crip Walk, also known as the C-Walk, is a dance that originated in the Crip gang culture of Los Angeles. Williams’ performance was met with mixed reactions, with some praising her for bringing attention to the dance’s cultural significance, while others criticized her for glorifying gang culture.
However, Williams’ main message was clear: unity and support among athletes, regardless of race or background, is crucial in creating a more inclusive and equal sports industry. She ended her speech by encouraging everyone to use their platforms to speak out against injustice and make a positive impact.
Williams’ powerful and thought-provoking speech at the ESPYs serves as a reminder that athletes have a powerful voice and the responsibility to use it for good. Her words and actions have sparked important conversations about diversity and representation in sports, and will hopefully lead to positive change in the industry.