Blackness at the U.S. Open

Many have noted the treatment and punishment of Serena Williams at the U.S. Open as an extension of racism and sexism in America, noting that her white male counterparts have received far less punishment for far worse behavior.

Among this necessary discourse, champion Naomi Osaka's biracial identity has been whitewashed, said a HuffPost Black Voices op-ed. Though Osaka represents the country of Japan in tennis, she strongly acknowledges her Haitian side and does not identify solely as Japanese.

"Osaka's biracial identity is inconvenient in a racist narrative that turns Williams into a stereotype," the article said. Thus, it is easier for people to focus on Osaka's light skin and hair to make her, "a more acceptable and palatable version of blackness."

Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams at the U.S. Open. Photo by Tim Clayton.

The media coverage of Osaka, a champion, to that of a confused woman who does not fit into the appropriate boxes that the media would like her to. She lies somewhere in the realm of not black enough and not white enough, and has to carry the burden of the model minority stereotype.