During the Australian open women’s semifinal match pitting world number one Serena Williams against Agnieszka Radwanska, a fan in the audience is spotted in blackface holding a sign saying be calm and be like Serena. Most people understand this is unacceptable, but apparently everyone hasn’t gotten the message.

There are actually those say this fan is merely passionate and wanting to support her favorite tennis player, Serena Williams. They claim in the light of fans painting their faces the colors of their favorite teams, this fan is doing the same for Serena Williams.

This is the most ridiculous thing i’ve ever heard in my life.

You are going to paint on blackface to “support” your favorite tennis player despite the long and terrible history it conjures up for Black people of the African diaspora??

And you expect us to swallow that??

We wouldn’t recommend holding your breathe waiting on that one.

This sort of blatant disrespect is uncalled for, uncouth and downright unacceptable.

Nevertheless, the greatest female tennis player of all time, Serena Williams, was unmoved. She went on to win the match and the American Cup.

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/09/serena-williams-grace-banal-racism