Mark Knight's caricature of Serena
Following the 2018 US open where Serena Williams expressed her discontent with the umpire's decision, a controversial cartoon depicting Serena emerged. The Australian cartoonist, Mark Knight has been under fire for his illustration.
Above is Mark Knight's caricature of Serena.
Many have argued that this piece resembles the crude Jim Crow era of segregation. The image is typical of other works of art depicting the angry black woman. During such an era, black women were depicted as ugly, masculine, crazy,temperamental and ill mannered. Critics believe that the cartoonist could have found a better approach to depict the tennis player.
He on the other hand, refused that it was racially inappropriate. A caricature is defined as "a picture, description, or imitation of a person in which certain striking characteristics are exaggerated in order to create a comic or grotesque effect." It is satirical in nature.
Artists have emerged with their own versions of the event and they are better than Knight's. See Knight's depiction, shows the undesirable stereotypical qualities of a black woman.
And I am somehow bugged by people such as Knight, as they refuse to acknowledge the stereotypes their actions perpetuate. There's an African proverb that says; " Only the pot knows how hot is the fire!"
Each time I hear a white person in particular saying that racism doesn't exist, I feel a bit overwhelmed. They have always allowed themselves to live in utopia and feel as if we exaggerate the effects of their actions. Even when countless racist encounters emerge, people still dispute its effects. Mr Knight believes he was depicting a petulant bully with childlike tantrums.
I know and value individualism in art, but years of oppression have actually created stereotypical portrayals of the black community. It is therefore, the responsibility of the artist to tread with care. Such depictions from him do no one any justice. I know I might sound sensitive at this moment, but I can borrow you my skin and have you return it after two days. Feel the fake forced smiles I receive in a what you call rainbow nation each time I step in a fancy place.
The thing here is not about intentions, but about the decoding process. The artist should be held responsible. I have always heard how one should stop worrying about intentions, but face the fact that their actions hurt someone. I can't dispute that Serena's actions were inappropriate, but there should be a responsible approach to presenting her actions.
I know supporters of Mark Knight and other insensitive subjects we have blown a whistle on might question why everything has to be about race, but I think they should actually look for ways to not offend us. I am not playing victim here, but just being an individual who acknowledges the misfortunes of her tribe. If racism was truly abolished, then people wouldn't have to be reminded that black lives matter. South Africans wouldn't have to rant. We throw tantrums at things such as being called the k*****word at this day and age. And then people say we like playing victims. Mark Knight as part of a team from a big media house, needs to know the impact that newspaper as a medium has on the general public. The fact that it's consumed by many indicates a need for amendment. Was the caricature offensive? Yes, when it comes to race people need to be careful. Our ancestors didn't fight for us to let subtle offences be overlooked. We can't be fooled by this fake freedom and let things slide. Whistles need to be blown in order for old depictions to be abolished. Artists need to birth new images that don't bear any similarities to the past. It is useless then, to have the same images of the past in an era where people state that equality is attained. We shall continue to be sensitive until new images of us are drawn. And if you believe Serena should act better if she wants a better illustration of herself then you have drifted on the fact that the center of the caricature was the action and not the person.
People use words to assure us that we have freedom, but their actions speak otherwise!
I hope you find peace in the fact that Serena is beautiful and unapologetic about her looks.
Aluta continua!
Please click on the below link for more about the event that led to the caricature:
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