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.
Im Disappointed In Serena! That White Boy Can't Handle All That Ass! She Know Better! 😕
— 𝕖𝕪𝕖𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕪.🍭 (@_EnvyT_) December 29, 2016
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.
https://twitter.com/LudeyLu/status/814591216394399748
@Tweetcubey blamed Black men for allowing Williams to get engaged to a white man.
Black men really let a white dude steal a Gem like Serena Williams…smh
— Abu-Fatah (@Tweetcubey) December 30, 2016
@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.
Serena engaged to a white dude!? He the cofounder of Reddit tho? I mean I can't be mad at her pic.twitter.com/fuHonjToqP
— Lawerence, but Hefty (@ShefSensei) December 29, 2016
@Juan_Migg seemed surprised by the athlete’s fiancé.
SERENA WILLIAMS IS NOW ENGAGED TO THE PASTY WHITE MAN WHO MADE REDDIT. WHAT???
— juan (@Juan_Migg) December 29, 2016
Rod injected some humor into the discussion.
Serena got engaged. That's the first white person to hold her to love in tennis history. pic.twitter.com/pD5c0jJxHK
— M’BlockU (@rodimusprime) December 30, 2016
