Venus Williams: Just as sexism is not only a 'women's issue,' racism is not only a 'black issue' - CNN

    Venus Williams: Just as sexism is not only a 'women's issue,' racism is not only a 'black issue'

    (CNN)Tennis star Venus Williams said the solidarity she has seen in recent protests over the death in custody of George Floyd "has brought me to tears," writing Monday in an online post that "just as sexism is not only a 'women's issue,' racism is not only a 'black issue.'"

    "When the majority groups stay quiet, when they sit in the chair of disbelief, they unwittingly condone the oppression of marginalized groups," Williams wrote on Instagram. "Those with power and privilege actually have an easier time getting heard. They must CONTINUALLY exercise that privilege!"
    Protesters have gathered around the world to call out racial bias and police brutality following Floyd's death in Minneapolis.
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      I am deeply saddened that it has taken multiple acts of police brutality to make people painfully aware of the racism that still pervades America. It shouldn't. This just scratches the surface of the hideous face of racism in America. Take a moment to imagine this: If police brutality can exist and be tolerated so many years at this scale, imagine the other insidious acts of racism that permeate our country: In the workplace. In the justice system. In the healthcare system. In the education system. ... Speaking up about racism in the past was unpopular. It was shunned. No one believed you. Until you have walked in these shoes, as an African American, it is impossible to understand the challenges you face in the country, in this world. What it is like to be unheard, thought of foolish, silly or reckless to believe that racism still exists at every level. This is no longer falling on deaf ears. I'm amazed at the solidarity that has erupted across the USA. It has brought me to tears. In the past, I had the honor of fighting for equal prize money for all women's players at the grand slams in tennis. To make this even more simple to understand, just as sexism is not only a "women's issue," racism is not only a "black issue." When we fought for and won equal prize money, everyone pitched in, men and women, all colors all races. And we won. When the majority groups stay quiet, when they sit in the chair of disbelief, they unwittingly condone the oppression of marginalized groups. Those with power and privilege actually have an easier time getting heard. They must CONTINUALLY exercise that privilege! We MUST win! We cannot let systematic racism persist. We have to love one another.  Help one another.  Listen to one another, believe one another, even if we don't understand or will never walk in our neighbor's shoes. Keep speaking out. Speak out today, tomorrow, next month, next year, each and every day until all is equal for African Americans. I am so happy, so relieved, as an African American, to finally be heard. I pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families so America could finally wake up and act. #blacklivesmatter

      A post shared by Venus Williams (@venuswilliams) on

      Williams has seen power in people banding together behind the cause, she said, referencing her fight for equal prize money for all women players in tennis Grand Slam tournaments.
        "When we fought for and won equal prize money, everyone pitched in, men and women, all colors all races. And we won," she said.
          While it is impossible to understand what is like to be African American "until you have walked in these shoes," Williams wrote, the answer lies in loving, listening and believing one another.
          "Keep speaking out. Speak out today, tomorrow, next month, next year, each and every day until all is equal for African Americans," Williams said. "I pray for those who have lost their lives and for their families so America could finally wake up and act."