Serena Williams: Video Analysis

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This paper analyzes the short video of Serena Williams produced by CNN in 2015. The video was released after she won the three slams and left the US open to complete Grand Slam. It is important to know how media described her, who succeeded as an African American tennis player in the world because this video as media took an important role, encouraging people and showing up the racial discrimination still existed in modern society. Briefly discussing about what are on the video. This video was released by CNN before the US open match in 2015. If S. Williams won the US open, she would achieve the Grand Slam at that time. This video is about story of her life as a tennis player, her powerful and active play with praise of experts such as …show more content…

In this video, S. Williams described as a tough and strong African American tennis player. We can see this from three descriptions of her. The first is her childhood. This video emphasizes on how tough the place, Compton, where she grew up. Not only showing the rough street of Compton with background music but also commentator’s saying that Compton is the toughest part of LA are clarified the less secure situation of the place. Besides, her coach was her father Richard, and her rival was her sister Venus. She practiced playing tennis not in professional way but in original way. It does not mean she isn’t a good tennis player. As journal said that “Venus and Serena openly declare that their family is a key source of their strength, support, and love (Douglas, 2015, p132)”, we can see their intimate relationship in this video. These situations might be different from other tennis players, and these situations made her a powerful and tough player. The second is her powerful play. In this video, so many videos and images of her strong services and strokes are included. In addition to her powerful play, we can see her confidence even just her walking and talking. Her powerful play represents strength of African American. The third is her interview in 1999. In this interview, she said “It is good news for minorities and different group of people.” It refers to her winning major title in 1999

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