8th March, 2021
American tennis star Serena Williams has thrown her weight behind her good friend Meghan after the Oprah Winfrey interview.
Serena Williams in her message expressed support and anger for what the Duchess of Sussex has had to face.
Harry and Meghan had alleged that their son Archie’s race had been a concern in the royal institution, with conversations about “how dark” his skin would be.
During the interview, Harry also spoke about how Meghan’s biracial background made it a uniquely challenging situation.
Everybody in the royal family lives under a certain amount of pressure — but it was “far more dangerous” for Meghan due to her race, he said.
The allegations sparked outrage almost immediately on social media among Americans, with countless posts expressing sympathy for the couple and criticism for the royal family’s response to the crisis.
“Meghan Markle, my selfless friend, lives her life — and leads by example — with empathy and compassion,” Williams wrote in reaction to the interview.
“She teaches me every day what it means to be truly noble. Her words illustrate the pain and cruelty she’s experienced.”
“I know first hand the sexism and racism institutions and the media use to vilify women and people of color to minimize us, to break us down and demonize us. We must recognize our obligation to decry malicious, unfounded gossip and tabloid journalism. The mental health consequences of systemic oppression and victimization are devastating, isolating and all too often lethal.”
“I want Meghan’s daughter, my daughter and your daughter to live in a society that is driven by respect,” she added.
The tennis phenom and the Duchess of Sussex are close friends, having met a few years ago at a charity event.
Meghan has attended the US Open to cheer on Williams, and Williams co-hosted a baby shower for Meghan in 2019 when she was pregnant with Archie.