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Every few years, a video of Venus Williams having her confidence questioned by a reporter, and her father, Richard Williams, stepping in to defend her, resurfaces. But this time around, with the help of Chicago-based rapper and activist Ric Wilson (check out his recent EP, BANBA), it’s gone viral and been shared by a number of celebrities, and for good reason.
The interview happened back in 1995, and took place for the ABC News program, Day One. A then 14-year-old Venus conversed with correspondent John McKenzie about what she feels inside when she’s on the court, and her confidence when it comes to playing opponents who, at the time, were much older than her. When asked if she thought she could beat a player who isn’t identified in the resurfaced clip, she says, “I know I can beat her,” to which McKenzie responds, “You know [you can beat her]? Very confident.”
When she replies that she is indeed “very confident,” he then begins to quiz her about the reason she’s so comfortable in her abilities, asking, “You say it so easily. Why?”
From there, Richard steps in.
This video of Richard Williams defending Venus's confidence when she was 14 yr old is the best video on the internet pic.twitter.com/NqnCRJsLLf
— disco ric (@RicWilson) August 29, 2018
“What she said, she said it with so much confidence the first time, but you keep going on and on,” he said.
When Richard interrupts the interview, McKenzie tries to tell him that they can’t continue with his interruptions, but Richard lets him know they won’t continue if he keeps trying to break the spirit of a child.
“You’ve got to understand that you’re dealing with the image of a 14-year-old child,” he said. “And this child gonna be out there playing when your old a– and me gonna be in the grave. When she say something, we done told you what’s happening. You’re dealing with a little Black kid, and let her be a kid! She done answered it with a lot of confidence, leave that alone!”
McKenzie probably could have formed the question in a different way, but definitely, hearing him sound not impressed, but rather, a tad puzzled by her confidence is disappointing. Interesting enough, the segment actually earned him an Emmy nomination.
As for Venus, now 38, she certainly had a reason to be confident. She went on to win seven Grand Slam singles titles. Along with sister Serena, she is known as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, so it’s clear that Richard was right when speaking on the importance of not trying to interfere with a child’s confidence. This is particularly important for a Black child, who in this world, often struggles to be treated as a simple, innocent kid.
With that message in mind, plenty of people online reposted the clip, including Gabrielle Union, Kanye West and more. Check out the reaction to the interview, 22 years later.
The goal was to get @Venuseswilliams to doubt herself. To not be so confident. To break her. DO NOT LET THEM BREAK YOU. And do not let them break our children! Confidence rooted in excellence & by birth right. We were born worthy. Never forget that. https://t.co/fC8Kj20Ggn
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) August 29, 2018
View this post on Instagram#ThisRIGHTheeeere #SaluteToAllTheFathersThatProtectTheirChildren 🙏🏾 #WeAreBornWorthy ✨
A post shared by Meag G,Mrs.Franklin~IfYaNasty (@meagangood) on
View this post on InstagramA post shared by laverne cox (@lavernecox) on
Salute to Richard Williams for checking an adult over his daughters words of determination, parents and minorities we must protect and nurture the confidence that our children have in themselves. If we don’t who will? #venuswilliams #tennis pic.twitter.com/ZmGeiWrjfw
— HBCU Buzz (@HBCUBuzz) August 30, 2018
If this video doesn't tell the story of how some white ppl resent the confidence & abilities of blk ppl! This is so indicative of the treatment of blk ppl who simply want to be their best selves! He felt the need to "bring her down a peg or two." I love that he was checked!
— Vote Blue No Matter Who!!! (@Phrozensolid06) August 30, 2018
Speak greatness into your children so they’ll be prepared for people who want to break them like this journalist. If Venus Williams was a white boy he wouldn’t have questioned her confidence. They don’t want us to know our greatness. https://t.co/3MpUOE65fx
— Jenee Darden (@CocoaFly) August 30, 2018
14 years old @Venuseswilliams ’s confidence❤️I will make sure that my 3 daughters feel that they are capable of doing anything just like Venus.
As a father of 3 girls, I loved what Richard did. I would’ve done the same thing. Rise the kids up instead of bringing them down. https://t.co/SkZBYfI22S
— Jason Coleman (@jasonScoleman) August 30, 2018
The goal of the interviewer here was clearly to get Venus Williams to doubt herself. To not be so confident. To break her.
DO NOT LET ANYONE BREAK YOU OR YOUR KIDS.#confidence #strongdad https://t.co/jiS0JY1ETo
— Jean Paul Laurent (@mayorofsmile) August 30, 2018
such a touching and powerful video!! Baby Venus Williams! I aspire to instill this kind of confidence in my children, this was so beautiful to watch! https://t.co/xLPtehbTBN
— Jay Vëë (@FiloSophiaJay) August 30, 2018