Photo: Dave Shopland/BPI/REX/Shutterstock
The Herald Sunof Melbourne, Australia, is defending its choice to publish an editorial cartoon ofSerena Williamsthatmany critics have called racist.
The illustration depicts the tennis star on Saturday’s U.S. Open women’s singles final — during which she got in a verbal altercation with chair umpire Carlos Ramos, whom she called a “thief.” Williams, 36,lost to Japan’s 20-year-old Naomi Osaka.
The cartoonist, Mark Knight, drew an exaggeratedcaricature of Williamsstomping on her tennis racket with a pacifier near her feet — which prompted comparisons to the stereotypes seen inanti-black political cartoonsfrom the Jim Crow-era of America.
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In an article published on theHerald Sun‘s websiteon Tuesday, Knight defended his work, saying “I drew this cartoon Sunday night after seeing the U.S. Open final, and seeing the world’s best tennis player have a tantrum and thought that was interesting.”
He added, “The cartoon about Serena is about her poor behavior on the day, not about race. The world has just gone crazy.”
When reached for comment, theHeraldSundirected PEOPLEto their online statement.
Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.Julio Cortez/AP/REX/Shutterstock
In the background ofKnight’s cartoon, an umpire is seen asking Williams’ opponent to let the athlete win. It isn’t clear whether the drawing of the white and blonde player is meant to represent Osaka, who is the daughter of a Haitian father and a Japanese mother.
Many on social media were quick to raise serious and critical questions about Knight’s cartoon.
“Well done on reducing one of the greatest sportswomen alive to racist and sexist tropes,”Harry Potterauthor J.K. Rowlingtweeted, “and turning a second great sportswoman into a faceless prop.”
ESPN commentatorJemele Hillcalled the drawing, “about as subtle as Fran Drescher’s voice.”
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Other figures have defended Williams’ actions during the finals — which resulted in three violations, including one for breaking her tennis racket — notably two tennis greats,Billie Jean King and the 2018 men’s singles U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic.
“Women are treated differently in most arenas of life,” wrote King in theWashingtonPoston Sunday. “This is especially true for women of color. And what played out on the court yesterday happens far too often. It happens in sports, in the office and in public service. Ultimately, a woman was penalized for standing up for herself. A woman faced down sexism, and the match went on.”
And after his win on Sunday,Djokovictold reporters, “I have my personal opinion thatmaybe the chair umpire should not have pushed Serena to the limit, especially in a Grand Slam final… He did change the course of the match. It was, in my opinion, maybe unnecessary. We all go through our emotions, especially when you’re fighting for a Grand Slam trophy.”
source: people.com
