When Serena announced her engagement and subsequent pregnancy I was all in. I still am, by the way. I’m super happy for her and can’t wait to see that little nugget she’s carrying.
Her recent feature in Stellar Magazine, however, has got quite a few women feeling a bit at odds with the tennis superstar.
In her feature, Williams discusses being a feminist, but also make a statement that flies in the face of feminism.
I definitely am a feminist. I like to stick up for women and women’s rights. So many things happen and I just think, ‘Wow, why don’t we have a chance?’ If that makes me a feminist, I am proud to be one.”
“I have so much respect for so many women [for giving birth]. I am about to be a real woman now, you know? It’s going to be something incredibly impressive to go through.”
Feminists, Trans women, and Cis women who cannot or choose not to give birth, aren’t so here for Serena’s statement.
Just take a look at some of the comments posted to Madame Noire:
What do you think of Serena’s statements? Sound off Below!
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Interesting that she’s being bashed for her perspective…kind of hypocritical! She states what she “believes” and how she “feels” and gets dragged??!?? Isn’t that what the fight is for? For everyone to be who they are and express that without judgement.
People are so quick to judge, it’s all in how you perceived what Serena had to say. For all we know maybe she had tried to conceive before but t failed. Serena is happy that she is pregnant and I am sure she was not throwing shade. Trans women are not real women they was a man first.
Does she actually know what feminism is?
Part of being a woman is to give birth, she has to right to have her opinion of what a real woman is to her; she is not ignorant at all. Nothing in life prepares you to give birth, experiencing birth takes you on another level of being a woman.
First of all giving birth is a beautiful, special, amazing and miraculous thing, totally different for each individual. It is not meant as an insult or hurt the feelings of someone who can’t or won’t have the opportunity. If every woman is honest, you do feel a certain way as your body changes to support a growing being and its a wonderful, I feel like a woman moment. I love her honesty. Its starting to feel like if you say innocent things that offend the sensitive feelings of some you are somehow bad person. Please stop.
Growing a person in my body made me feel more of a woman than ever. That shit is magical. *Kanye shrug*
Well I’m not up set if that makes her feel like a real women so be it. But I am a mother of 5 and wouldn’t change it for the world. I think people are reading to much into this . Have a baby not have a baby you will always be a women!
Hi Lisa,i honestly don’t believe she saying that without having or giving birth to a child make you not a woman. I think she talking about her self and all her years in sport having to be so strong and physical fit can sometimes take away that womahood everyday and maybe not feeling like a normal woman. Did ever stop to think maybe this her finally feel like a woman in her way and her life? Sometime being in sport and putting in the hard work take away a few people abke to have kids and she was blessed enough by god to be bring a child into this world come on now. Am a mother and i maybe say that once are twicr because for the longest time i have the behavior and mind set of a child it was when i held my daughter in my arm feel like grown woman not a child,learn to see parents weather mother and father,two mothers,two fathers has a parent and felt all woman then. Try putting there self in her shoes for once.
O.H.
Sorry for some misspelling but so upset about this.
I am a real woman who does not have any kids! It doesn’t make me less than a woman, it means I am a childless woman. I was not offended by her remarks. When did we become so sensitive (insecure and insensitive)? Why are we so angry and insecure over every little thing? We did not use to be this way! Stop it. If every time someone says something and it offends you, ask yourself why? Do this every time, you may learn something about yourself! Try to look at the situation from the other person’s point of view. If you were born a woman, are you not a woman? With or without children, you are still a woman, right? So stop it. Quit taking things personally! We have become such a wimpy society of people. BTW, I am only commenting to those who were born with woman parts, identify as a woman, and was offended.
It was a bit distasteful but it wasn’t that bad she was talking in the moment and what she meant was now SHE finally feels like a real women
Serena did not come from mars or venus. Feminist or not she has reflected on a thought shared by many. those of you who are so angry should spend some of that energy educating others and changing society thoughts about how woman is defined and why the definition is damaging to many. Serena defines herself as a feminist encourage her to join you in the cause. Stop beating up the woman who is about to enter the most beautiful and powerful stage of her life after nearly a lifetime of personal and professional achievement. Enjoy your baby and motherhood take some time to reflect on the noise and buz around you. Be happy.
I am sure it was a slip of the tongue…Serena did not think clearly about how that statement will effect “Real” women who cannot bare children.