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After Serena Williams’ Surprise Engagement, Social Media Reacts In Fury, Humor to White Fiancé

By | Published on December 30, 2016 | Updated on June 28, 2018 3:51 PM EDT
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When Serena Williams announced she was engaged to Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, social media lit up with reactions, with many questioning why she decided to settle down with a white man.

The 22-time Grand Slam champion revealed the news on Reddit Thursday, Dec. 29, in a poem called, “I Said Yes,” which told the story of how Ohanian proposed. While many fans congratulated the soon-to-be spouses, several Twitter users shared their irritation about Wiliams’ choice in a life partner.

@oliviazao hoped the applause was strictly for the engagement rather than her impending nuptials to a white man.

https://twitter.com/oliviazao/status/814766642387357696

Yogi reflected on Williams’ past relationships with Black celebrities, including rappers Drake and Common. Then, she deemed Ohanian, whose parents have ties to Armenia and Germany, demonic.

https://twitter.com/yogihoagie/status/814559629564932096

@_EnvyT_ expressed frustration over the matter.

Lu-Senpai wondered when the discussion would begin about Williams’ apparent inability to sustain a relationship with a Black man, thus leading her to choose a white partner.

@Tweetcubey blamed Black men for allowing Williams to get engaged to a white man.

@GloccRivers recognized the day as a time for grief.

https://twitter.com/GloccRIvers/status/814559204933566464

Saba was far less ambiguous in his reaction.

https://twitter.com/SabaSoulchild/status/814629113692450816

Such responses led many to defend the tennis pro and Ohanian.

Neechi Sosa thought the anger was a relic of another decade.

https://twitter.com/BigNeechi/status/814587925820309505

@xjetblackqueenx called out the hypocrisy of Black men slamming Williams’ fiancé.

https://twitter.com/xjetblackqueenx/status/814592207189442560

However, not everyone reacted so fiercely.

Stank Castle could see why Williams would be attracted to an entrepreneur.

https://twitter.com/Mr_Trilliam/status/814561369060155393

@Juan_Migg seemed surprised by the athlete’s fiancé.

https://twitter.com/Juan_Migg/status/814570496847179776

Rod injected some humor into the discussion.

https://twitter.com/rodimusprime/status/814687222674980865

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