Serena Williams is using her voice for a greater purpose, and that is to call for equality for Black Women who are victims of unfair treatment because of their race and color. In a lengthy essay for Fortune Magazine, the 35-year-old athlete observed Black Women's Equal Pay Day by discussing the realities and struggles of these women every day.
Williams opens up about her experience of racism
She specifically laid down the differences between black women and white women regarding earnings. "Black women earn 17% less than their white female counterparts and that black women are paid 63% of the dollar men are paid," she wrote, adding that even those who are degree holders still get paid less than they deserve.
Serena Williams recalled her own experience where she was told that a woman in her color would not accomplish anything in the future. But despite hearing this while she was growing up, the female athlete has learned to speak up for what she believed was right.
Even after she became famous for her achievements on the tennis court, Serena Williams confessed that she had been criticized and treated unfairly by her male colleagues all because of her skin color.
Although it was not easy for her to deal with criticisms, the seven-time grand slam champion John McEnroe found help from her family and friends who encouraged her to keep going. Serena Williams considers herself successful in her craft; hence, she is speaking up on behalf of 24 million black women in America who are still deprived of fair treatment.
Serena Williams wrote THE most empowering essay for Black Women's Equal Pay Day 😍💪 @serenawilliams >> https://t.co/wyPu6gGXk8 pic.twitter.com/7WotPIVvex
— MTV UK (@MTVUK) August 1, 2017
Unlike her, countless black women do not have the courage to speak out about their rights in the workplace because they lack support. And when they push for what they believe is right, some of them are being punished for making a stand.
Tennis great calls for equal pay for black women
Serena Williams went on to discuss low pay among women of color, which she said has been going on for decades with no corresponding punishment. She added that this practice has caused these women to think less of themselves. "The issue isn’t just that black women hold lower-paying jobs.
They earn less even in fields of technology, finance, entertainment, law, and medicine," the soon-to-be mom added.
The tennis great continued that this plea needs to be heard and recognized to find a solution. Serena Williams ended her letter with words of encouragement to all women of color to be "fearless" and to "speak up for equal pay" in order to help those who are still afraid to stand for their rights.
