"Hit the net like any Negro would," was the taunt that Serena heard in her Monday match at the Sony Ericsson Open. She said she let it get to her, but not too much. She won 6-3, 6-4. "I shouldn't have let it bother me, because growing up in Compton we had drive-bys," said Williams, who was raised in Los Angeles. "I guess that's what my dad prepared me for, but I'm not going to stand for it."Tournament director Adam Barrett was not so militant in his response.
"The man was identified and escorted off the site," Barrett said. "As security determines the severity of his actions, he may not be welcome to return. We take these matters very, very seriously."He might not be welcome to return? What, you need more time to make up your mind on the issue of racist heckling at your tournament?
Yeah, that's a real hot-button issue, buddy. So much gray area there. Is it cool to allow screaming racist hecklers at tennis tournaments? Should Serena Williams, or any other person of color be subjected to this? Is the Sony Ericsson Open for or against racism? Hm. What a bold stance that would be. Really take your time and think about that. You wouldn't want to rush into a quick decision on such a difficult issue. I'm sure that much scholarly debate will follow.
Anyway, the offending jackass was removed the stadium (for now), and hopefully, the victim of at least a wedgie by stadium security.
The last time that Roger Federer was not the #1 tennis player in the world, John Kerry was winning democratic primaries, Justin Timberlake had just yanked off Janet Jackson's breakaway blouse, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was dominating the Academy Awards.
