Maybe Mr. Williams Shouldn’t Play Cards
In the most ironic of ways, Richard Williams has again proved that people of all races are, deep down, truly the same. We are all human beings, subject to human nature. Some of us ennoble the world we live in while others will use anything in the service of their own personal interest.
Caught in a compromising position, Mr. Williams has taken the tragic, and still tragically prevalent, problem of racism in America and trivialized it into a cover for his own questionable personal behavior. What is especially shameful and dangerous about such actions is that, when another real and horrific case of racism rears its ugly head (as, sadly, it assuredly will), there are those who will tend to take it just a bit less seriously due to Mr. Williams’ ill-considered outbursts.
Racism is a serious matter. An accusation of racism is a serious charge. Mr. Williams does not help his talented daughters, or anyone else, by pulling the race card to play silly, self-serving games.
STEVEN KORBAR
Torrance
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I don’t normally read articles by Diane Pucin, but her article about the Williams family [March 26] was one of the best-written I have read in a long time. She certainly used her words wisely, in telling Richard Williams that he is the racist, not everyone else.
TOM BUTLER
Azusa
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While I concur that Richard Williams can be over the top on occasion, Diane Pucin’s excuses for the crowd’s reaction to the Williams family are flimsy at best and smack of racism itself.
What competent doctor would diagnose and conclude about an athlete’s soundness by watching them move around, especially knowing that most will play hurt? What did Serena do to get booed?
Ms. Pucin, you have diminished your own credibility by protesting too loudly. I suggest you get over it. This little tempest is already old news, even though racism in America never is.
F. DANIEL GRAY
Los Angeles
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Mr. Williams, if your girls have problems playing each other, don’t make it our problem too. Take some time off and let them work out their angst in therapy. And if all the injuries they’ve had in their short careers are actually legitimate, then maybe they should consider retiring, because apparently, their bodies are even more fragile than their psyches. Either way, the ticket-buying public’s reaction to your girls is not racism. We simply want some good tennis. Period!
GARRY KLUGER
Los Angeles
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The Williams sister controversy is another example of women’s sports not getting enough credit for being innovative or groundbreaking. The idea of taking turns winning should be integrated into every pro sport.
Shaq and Kobe could just take turns being “the man.” Red Sox and Cub fans would have a celebration that would end all celebrations because they would already know when their turn to win the World Series would be. Tiger could take more time off because he wouldn’t be winning every week. Boxers would never retire because they would always have a turn to be champion again.
It would be like when you were a little kid and the coach would say, “Everyone gets to play!”
ALVIN M. OKAMURA
Encino