Venus Williams: Role Model or Not?

A few days ago, I was reading an article written by award winning journalist Deron Snyder who is a regular contributor for 'The Root'. The article concerned Venus Williams and her infamous on court outfits which are seemingly gaining more attention than her game. Read the entire article written by Derron here Are Venus Williams' Tennis Outfits a Distraction. Derron does an exceptional job describing the rise of Venus from the streets of Compton, California to now world-champion tennis player.

In his article, Derron describes the issue at hand which seems to have been a major topic over the last few weeks by a number of writers. Venus' attire has taken the focus from her incredible on the court talent to fans readily waiting in anticipation of her next outfit. The fact that Venus outfits have moved the focus from her game is becoming food for fodder when this young lady hits the court. Rather than her overwhelming number of wins, the execution of her plays and the fact that this type of ability takes exceptional skill is not the topic of conversation. Rather, the conversation is more towards whether her outfit matches her underwear, the reason she has to pull on her outfit, if what she wears could get any lower, the color of her panties, the number of tugs made on her outfit and if she showed more flesh than material amongst other attire discussions.

Derron goes on to sum up his article with the following statement, "Overall, Williams is an excellent role model, an example of what can be accomplished regardless of where you're from. I just wish she would tone it down a bit when it comes to her attire--for her sake and for the sake of the little girls who look up to her."

I had to look up the phrase "role model" in the dictionary to see if I understood the meaning. And as expected, as with almost every word in the English language, role model has several. The one that I would consider most appropriate for what I was taught from the first grade on and have come to understand as the meaning until now is:

"Role Model - A person who serves as an example of values, attitudes, and behaviors associated with a role. For example, a father is a role model for his sons. Role models can also be persons who distinguish themselves in such a way that others admire and want to emulate them. Second example, a woman who becomes a successful brain surgeon or airline pilot can be described as a role model for other women."

After reading this definition and meditating on it for a few minutes, I think I realized why our society seems to be so confused especially when our children zoned in on a "role model." When I think about it, Venus Williams is definitely a role model albeit not a very good one. When identifying a role model as far as children are concerned, a child should be directed in a path focused on considering a person of exemplary morals. An individual with integrity and one who will not compromise their character, morals or integrity for any amount of money or publicity.

When a parent considers a role model for a daughter for instance, I would think they would not want their daughter to replicate the actions of one such as Venus. Or would they? If you use Venus as an example of the type person you wish your daughter to become, how do you separate the good from the bad?

As far as I am concerned, If I had a daughter, I would steer her so far from Venus Williams, she would never, ever think of her as anyone to emulate. Forget about what she has accomplished in her move from the tough streets of her childhood to the super athlete she has now become. In this writers opinion, the stardom she has worked so hard to obtain in her endeavor to become a tennis superstar has been now been eclipsed by her on court attire and the fact that it borders on "cheap." Venus chooses to show her body and more of her body than any 'lady' would ever reveal for the sake of publicity or money.

If you gain the popularity of the world by challenging and defeating every opponent you come up against, yet you compromise a very honored and hard earned name by wearing outfits that would be considered those worn by a 'floozy' the hard work and effort has been for naught. Everything good and honest accomplished has been overshadowed and washed down the drain. Your reputation now is not based on something honorable, but something humiliating.

I wonder if Venus Williams has thought about the impression she has made on all the young females and even some males who held her high; even placed her on a platform. That respect has been diminished and in its place is disrespect. Some still desire watching her perform but now it is more to ogle her attributes, rather than praise her game. Her name is now being whispered as if she is the focus of a peep show and not for the star athlete she worked so hard to become.