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Media_Justice
Media_JusticeThursday, May 27, 2010 at 1:26:00 PM EDT
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When I first saw Venus Williams’ attire for the French Open I was enamored. I was sent the story of her outfit a few times by friends. The last time it was sent to me , and when I decided to write this piece, I said to my homegirl: “Sigh. Black women’s bodies are always causing stirs.”
Honestly, I love that Venus Williams chose, wore, and won in this outfit! What is wrong with a woman choosing to have fun in her sport? What is wrong with a female athlete of Color claiming her femininity and sex appeal that is often taken away from them? What is wrong with a Black woman who is one of the best tennis players in the world demonstrating her ability to do other things besides play tennis? In my opinion, and as I shared about the days when I made my own clothing as well , I see this as a form of media making.
Haven’t seen the outfit? Check it out below and you can see a slide show here.
The outfit was described as: “a lacy, black overlay giving it the illusion of being see-through, and bright red trim on the bodice, Williams' corset-like get-up made her look as if she were ready to perform in a 19th century Parisian cancan chorus line.” I love Venus. I love the fact that she got lace onto a tennis court. I love that she has a curvy body that she adores and is proud of.
What messages is Venus sending when she creates her own outfits and wears them on an international competitive stage? How do our racialized, classist, and sexist ideologies that are based on gender expectations and body image become so transparent in seconds? Questions such as “why would you wear that to play tennis” I, a non-tennis player would answer/ask “why wouldn’t you wear that to play tennis” I mean she’s in sneakers, she is supported, she can move around. Seems like a good and fashion forward option. Would this be an issue if the person wearing the outfit were: White, physically smaller than Venus, and/or not as well known or wealthy? (I’d also make the argument that in our country there is also a discomfort with Black wealth, no matter how minimally distributed it is among members of the community).
Then you have the idea that her attire resembles a corset and petticoat. This I happen to adore personally. If I could find a petticoat to fit across my juicy goodness I’d wear it all over the place. I even have friends who love to ride their bikes in the city with their petticoats on. Is there something about our own psyche that will not allow us to have a Black women imagine herself in such attire without overly sexualizing her? Are we so far removed from Black female narratives that we can’t imagine how it may have been a reality for some Black women living in this country to have put on, created, and wore such attire?
What I also appreciate is Venus’ decision to very clearly state she wanted to play with the idea of “illusion.” This to me is art. People love, hate, and get confused by art all the time. As the daughter of an artist, I was raised to see art as something that produces knowledge, that challenges people and that can invoke a response/reaction regardless of what it is, and that is power!
So is her outfit more that people are more uncomfortable with a Black woman being confident in her body, in her ability, in her power versus watching a Black woman get “screwed”? I think our US society is much more comfortable watching Black women get screwed (think Halle Berry in Monster’s Ball) versus watching them embrace and own their power. Why are we so comfortable taking away Black women’s agency/self-determination because they challenge what we find problematic? It’s a fine line and I’m not comfortable taking anyone’s power away, especially as a media maker, a young person, or a young person of Color.
Perhaps it is her name that may invoke a response so intense that people are uncomfortable. If one appreciates the mythology of the name Venus , and it’s connection to fertility and beauty than understanding some discomfort around Venus Williams’ gender expression may be clarified. Of all the images I’ve seen of “Venus” they are of light skinned women with long (often blonde/light) hair. Recognizing that in our society Black women are often seen as “too fertile” or not beautiful in general (but especially when skin color comes into play), does this shift our ideologies and reactions? Then there is the symbolism of the Venus , an image that many people have identified with to not only recognize sex assigned at birth, gender identity, but also a form of gender equality and empowerment. An African/afro-centric examination into the symbolism is of the Ankh, which is connected to life.
I write this knowing that it is not the most popular position to take especially among many people who identify as “feminists.” This is one of the reasons I no longer identify as a feminist but as a radical woman of Color. I’m not down with having such a limited understanding and elitist conversation (as many feminist conversations often are ) about what sexuality looks and sounds like for women of Color in this country. Instead, I’d like to learn more about the thought process within communities that are often ignored or just talked about and Othered by feminist spaces and among people in the sexology field.
I’d love to hear more about what people’s reactions to Venus’ outfit included. Will we give ourselves permission to deconstruct her choices without taking them away from her? I have confidence we can.
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by Anatic09
I am glad to read commentary that is very uplifting to women of color and appreciates the third eye view. You hit on everything that i have said in previous conversations about Venus William, her athleticism and creativity. I wish more women would make BOLD statements like this....Let's stir up the media so they began to accept us for who we are and not what they want us to be!
I first saw this picture because of a tweet (@ebertchicago) and then I've seen a few critiques of the criticisms Venus has received, but I haven't read any negative pieces yet. So I don't feel ready to circle the wagons yet because. I didn't like her outfit.
My first thought was about how lace is scratchy and uncomfortable to wear an entire lace garment without a slip or sheath underneath must be uncomfortable. (just going by looks have no idea how the outfit was constructed).
My second thought: those flesh toned shorties. Why exactly do you want people to guess if they are seeing your bare bum or not? So you can say that hah, you think i'm a bad girl, but see *pulls at underwear*, i'm really a good girl!" I mock because i think a good portion of the outrage would come from the acceptable venues for ladies to be seen as sexy and well, ladies. In tennis since the outfits are already skimpy to begin with, there is a fine[r] line. Black lace is associated with underclothes. To be hidden.Kept out of sight. Bare bottoms too.
Why are tennis outfits regulated to show off maximum undies in the first place? Can we get a pair of shorts?
So was Venus making a sly argument that women's outfit should be more conservative by 'appearing' to show off so much?
I'm rambling, but basically I'm not giving a Venus a high five for wearing this outfit as an expression of her individuality. I think because women's bodies are so often commodiefied and shown bare for others' pleasures, it doesn't immediately translate to mean bold and empowering to me, when a bold, empowered woman....decides to take off her clothes. Or in this case, to play with the illusion of bareness.
*Interesting side note: When I saw the video of her playing, the outfit didn't matter so much/not shocking even when I caught glimpses of her looks-bare backside. She was simply doing her job in a not-that-great-looking uniform. Playing the game. Did she win?
could you share some links to those positive commentaries? I've only read negative ones, especially from people in my community so that is what sparked this piece.