Serena Williams draws inspiration from Martin Luther King, who once said, "There comes a time when silence is betrayal."
World number two and legendary tennis player Serena Williams joined the ranks of athletes in the United States (US) speaking out against police brutality towards African Americans.
Many African Americans have reportedly complained that "they have long faced disproportionate use of force by some police departments".
Just recently, San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick took a stand against racial injustice and police brutality, by refusing to stand for the anthem before NFL preseason games, instead choosing to kneel down, reported The Guardian. It has been reported he will continue to kneel until social injustice faced by people of colour is addressed in the United States (US).
Serena Williams took to Facebook to voice her thoughts and fear on the issue. "As Dr Martin Luther King said: There comes a time when silence is betrayal", she writes."I Won't Be Silent."
Williams also expressed concern for her family members and shares an incident that evoked fear.
She wonders, "Why did I have to think about this in 2016? Have we not gone through enough, opened so many doors, impacted billions of lives? But I realiaed we must stride on- for it's not how far we have come but how much further still we have to go."
"I then wondered have I spoken up? I had to take a look at me. What about my nephews? What if I have a son and what about my daughters?"
Serena Williams is one of the celebrated athletes who has spoken about the issue. LeBron James, NBA player with Cleveland Cavaliers, told reporters, "I'm all in favour of anyone, athlete or non-athlete, being able to express what they believe in a peaceful manner and that's exactly what Colin Kaepernick is doing and I respect that.''
He also said, "When I'm passionate about something, I'll speak up on it, so me standing for the national anthem is something I will do. That's who I am, that's what I believe in. But that doesn't mean I don't respect and don't agree with what Colin Kaepernick is doing."
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 "Colin Kaepernick, Serena Willilams, police brutality, African American community, racism, LeBron James, San Francisco 49ers, Cle")
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