US
Op-Ed: Writer Claims That Ban Of Serena Williams’s Catsuit Shows That Black Bodies Are Sexualized
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A writer claimed that the French Tennis Federation banning Serena Williams from wearing a catsuit for French Opens shows that black bodies are sexualized, according to an op-ed she wrote for The Guardian published Monday.
Chitra Ramaswamy, a freelance journalist from Edinborough, spoke out after Williams was banned from wearing her black catsuit to future French Open competitions based on new dress codes being enacted for 2019. Ramaswamy claimed the ban on William’s sporting attire shows disrespect to one of tennis’ greatest athletes, she wrote for The Guardian.
“What this is really about is the policing of women’s bodies and, in particular, the way in which black women’s bodies are othered, sexualised and dehumanised, Ramaswamy wrote.
The author praised Williams’ fashion choice saying “It was fun, it was functional, it was fabulous. It made returning to work from maternity leave look like the stuff of superhero movies, which it basically is. Minus the kudos.”
Ramaswamy’s remarks come in response to the President of the French Tennis Federation Bernard Giudicelli telling Tennis magazine about the new dress codes.
“I believe we have sometimes gone too far,” said Giudicelli, The Associated Press reported. “Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”
Ramaswamy’s remarks come in response to the President of the French Tennis Federation Bernard Giudicelli telling Tennis magazine about the new dress codes.
“I believe we have sometimes gone too far,” said Giudicelli, The Associated Press reported. “Serena’s outfit this year, for example, would no longer be accepted. You have to respect the game and the place.”
The tennis player previously shared a photo of her controversial outfit to Instagram.
“Catsuit anyone?” William wrote in an Instagram post May 29.
A post shared by Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) on
The catsuit which doubles as a body-compression outfit which helps prevent blood clots, a life-threatening condition that Williams suffers from, Elle magazine reported.
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