THE EDITOR, Sir:SOMETIMES WE just have to forget the negative things happening in our society, and seek some inspiration. There is no greater inspiration to us as black people than those who had fought against racial barriers. Such a person is Althea Gibson.
Gibson was such a wonderful black heroine, a tremendous role model even when she came upon the numerous setbacks she faced in the tennis arena, and when the white monarchy was questioning the idea of allowing her to play in many of the top tennis tournaments, she showed resilience and stood firm. Gibson who won her first grand slam title at Wimbledon in 1956 was seen before the tournament as a player who was only making up numbers and was not even seen as an underdog. At that time and even now, the Wimbledon title is seen as the most prestigious of all tennis titles.
MERE FLUKE
After her triumph at Wimbledon there were those who were saying that her victory was a mere fluke, but she silenced all those critics in the most emphatic manner by winning the US Open a few months later and went on to win back-to-back titles in both competition in 1957 the year after she became the first black female champion in grand slam singles.
She has inspired most who has followed, including Venus Williams who followed in her footsteps many years ago. Let us remember Althea Gibson not as an American but as a black woman who had enormous courage and determination even when they tried to restrict black players' participation in what was considered a sport only for white players.
As a nation let us use her legacy to inspire us, to work hard. Even when we are put down, let us bounce back and rise up stronger than we have ever been before.
I am, etc.,
CRAIG C. DAVIS
ccraig73@yahoo.com.
