Serena Williams at centre of bizarre new image controversy
Serena Williams’ depiction in the media has once again sparked controversy.
Last year it was the Herald Sun who caused a massive backlash with a cartoon of Serena during her infamous meltdown in the US Open final.
And now it’s the British media who are under fire for their depiction of the American tennis superstar.
ITV program ‘Lorraine’ has been slammed by fans over their use of an image of Serena in relation to her attendance at Meghan Markle’s baby shower this weekend.
The TV program was talking about the high-profile attendees, and used a pic of Serena alongside Amal Clooney, Jessica Mulrouney and Ayda Williams.
But while Clooney, Mulroney and Williams were dressed to the nines and looking glamorous, the image of Serena during a match at Wimbledon was rather unflattering.
Serena’s fans took to social media to slam the image, claiming it had been used on purpose to make her look bad.
So… @lorraine… u couldn’t find a better picture of @serenawilliams?? I just find it funny how the only black Woman represented in this montage is presented as this, whereas everyone else looks glamorous 🤔🧐🤨#Lorraine pic.twitter.com/sRn7pq11YH
— M.A.L.L.É (@iMallyUK) February 19, 2019
This image does not pop up when you search her name, nor when you search her name + playing tennis. Therefore, very deliberate
— the black daria 🌙 (@whateverkiara) February 19, 2019
Acting like Serena wasn’t at the same wedding as Amal Clooney 🤦🏾♀️ if you need a image researcher @GMB let me know pic.twitter.com/uNR3iYVlMf
— Ola A (@Curvycreativeuk) February 19, 2019
All it would have taken was a quick Google image search ..silly people 😑 pic.twitter.com/6PyPg7Crry
— Mel Rose (@MelChayse) February 19, 2019
Took me 5 seconds to find…… 🙄 pic.twitter.com/UxaSdiKq5o
— 𝖲𝖨𝖬𝖮𝖭.𝖳𝖠𝖳𝖳𝖮𝖮𝖲 (@Simon_Tattoos) February 19, 2019
It is subtle. That do just enough without explicitly saying to be able to deny it was ever intentional “it was just the first picture we found” etc. It gives them wiggle room to say you’re the only one thinking of “race”.
— 𝕐Ω𝕌ℕ𝔾 𝔾𝕃Ω𝕎 (@DonStoppable) February 19, 2019
And even if they wanted a tennis related picture they coulda used a nice one like this, but I see what they’re doing here 👎🏼🙄 pic.twitter.com/O4BQtNKR8b
— 🖤 (@lauren_henzi) February 19, 2019
@lorraine You couldn't find a better picture of the gorgeous Serena, had to be this one uhn??
— Cyn (@phoenixx_chi) February 19, 2019
This was done on purpose
— Queen_x (@JustBlessing_x) February 19, 2019
And yet they’ll say that they chose that photo at random. Meanwhile, it took me about 10 seconds to find this shot of Serena, which has been cleared by the copyright holder for reuse for anyone that wants it: pic.twitter.com/Q3MlSEj7x8
— Mlle OA (@Mlle_OA) February 19, 2019
Not again
The new controversy follows the international outrage sparked by Herald Sun cartoonist Mark Knight in 2018.
In December he made a cheeky reference to his controversial Serena depiction in his end of year cartoon.
In his annual year-in-review cartoon, Knight drew Serena sitting at a bar, sharing a drink with Knight himself.
However this time the tennis superstar looked quite a bit different.
“I’d like to think this is a sort of a peace-offering from myself to Serena,” Knight told 3AW Radio on Monday.
“I hope she likes the way I’ve drawn her.”
LOVE this NYE special by Mark Knight (especially drawing himself sharing a drink with Serena 🤣). Have a great 2019! @theheraldsun pic.twitter.com/k06NtltqDE
— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) December 30, 2018
