#SerenaWilliamsMeltdown: "Upset people are offended, but won't take cartoon down"
What's the story
An Australian cartoonist, Mark Knight is under public fire for drawing a cartoon of Serena Williams' meltdown in the US Open Final which is supposedly "racist and repugnant". The cartoon, which was published in Herald Sun on Tuesday, depicted Williams throwing tantrum at the field after losing to Japanese player Osaka'>Naomi Osaka on Saturday. Even Osaka's appearance as a "white woman" has been criticized.
Twitter Post
The Tweet-Toon which sparked all rage
My toon in today’s @theheraldsun on #SerenaWilliams @usopen pic.twitter.com/didwtQg1R5
— Mark Knight (@Knightcartoons) September 10, 2018
Details
Backstory: What actually happened during Finals?
Williams, who was playing against Japan's Osaka, was warned and later penalized by the umpire at the US Open Women's Final on Saturday. Further, she was penalized in a code violation as her coach was seen passing instruction, for abusing the umpire, and got a point penalty for smashing her racquet. And it so happened, she lost the game!
Information
Sportsman spirit much?
After her loss to Osaka, Williams, rather than accepting her defeat gracefully, lost her temper in an ill-disciplined manner that it left Osaka, who's now Japan's first player to win a Grand Slam singles, in tears of fear not joy!
Analysis
Bully or Victim?
After her ugly remonstration, Williams, in the post-match conference gave media food for their traffic. Woman. Black. Crying. Vowing to keep up the fight. "I'm here fighting for women's rights and women's equality," Williams sobbed and astonishingly, every journalist present there had that tearful orgasmic experience of her being a victim. But is Williams really a victim? Or she just played the victim card?
Here's why
Definitely not a victim
So Williams is fighting for Women's right, eh? Just wanted to know if "fighting for rights and equality" means throwing your racquet, supporting your coach cheat, abusing the umpire, or letting your fans boo your opponent, who's also a woman. Does women's right also include getting other woman so badly booed that she actually APOLOGIZED for winning her first title- a lifetime achievement?
Regular Offender?
This wasn't Williams' first meltdown
Just in case, you're also among those who's supporting Williams, because hey, everyone, loses temper once in a while, let me give you a reality check. This was NOT her first time! In 2009, when Williams lost to Kim Clijsters at the US Open semis, she exploded against the (female) line judge and physically threatened her!
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And, then she lost it one more time
Further, in the 2011 finals at the US Open when Williams was losing to Sam Stosur, she again exploded at the umpire, calling her a "hater and unattractive inside." Now that's okay, but a joke isn't? Notably, both these times, the umpire was a woman!
The Humor Angle
In any case, why can't we take a joke?
Mark Knight did what he does. He mocks those in power and have fame; whether it's Malcolm Turnbull or Donald Trump. And these rich and powerful are lampooned due to their behavior, irrespective of their sex or gender! He did the same with Williams. He mocked her ill-behavior, and those criticizing him might have been taught a different definition of sexism and racism.
Un-Humored
The Criticism: Isn't it uncalled for?
From author JK Rowling to Nicki Minaj to Bernice King, almost everyone, like a cattle of herd, have accused Knight's drawing of racism and sexism. "The world has gone crazy," he said. Knight said, adding that the reaction on social media was "unfair". "I tried to reply to these people but they just don't listen," he said.
Twitter Post
Mark's rather logical reply
Well Julie here’s a cartoon I drew a few days before when Australian male tennis player Kyrgios at the US Open was behaving badly. Don’t bring gender into it when it’s all about behaviour. I’ll accept your apology in writing😁 pic.twitter.com/NLV0AjPGsY
— Mark Knight (@Knightcartoons) September 10, 2018
Laugh it out!
Let's not kill humor!
Agreed, there's a dire need to fight for the racial and sexual equality all around us. But to call a funny toon racist or sexist is bombarding satire with politically-barrage. The cartoon rightly and perfectly mocks Serena Williams for being a spoilt-sport and robbing Osaka of the joy of celebrating her first title and win against a woman she worshipped as her personal hero.