People can use several different markers to discriminate between human beings. But the most prevalent marker is still race. From time immemorial, people of color have been seen as inferior and were treated accordingly.
This discrimination is in different aspects of society, and the sports world is not exempted from it as well. Some of the greatest athletes and people of color, like Serena Williams, Muhammad Ali, etc., faced severe criticism due to their race.
Sadly, even in 2023, the cycle continues. In a recent turn of events, teen tennis sensation Coco Gauff shared her own experience of racism and how it affected her. Coco Gauff turned 19 this year, and she is already world no. 7.
Still, she has had to face casual racism in all walks of life. Sadly, most of these racist actions, words, etc., came from her fans only. Therefore, it shows how inclusivity is still a concept we are still wrapping around our heads and that the journey ahead is long.
Being World No. 7 Isn’t Enough:
Recently, a Twitterati asked their fellow users to share a ‘funny’ racist experience they had to go through. Soon enough, celebrities, as well as other users, poured in to share their own experiences.
Amongst them was Coco Gauff. Coco shared her experience, “I sign autographs as myself but occasionally I am somehow also signing as Sloane, Venus, Serena, Taylor, Alycia, and yesterday I got Leylah for the first time lollll.”
This incident goes on to show how people confuse people of color and see them as one and similar. It also exposes a deep-seated racist mentality that is still alive and thriving in America and other countries.
Many might easily ignore casual racism, but in the long run, it does deeply affect the person who has to face it.
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