Serena Williams Called Out For ‘White Husband’ After ‘Crip Walk For The Culture’ At Super Bowl

Serena Williams, Culture, and the Internet’s Selective Outrage: A Tale of Double Standards

The internet is undefeated when it comes to stirring up controversy, and this time, Serena Williams is in the hot seat—again. The tennis legend, business mogul, and cultural icon found herself at the center of an online storm after appearing in a Super Bowl commercial where she did a celebratory Crip Walk. What should have been a lighthearted moment quickly turned into a debate about authenticity, cultural ownership, and—somehow—her white husband.

Yes, you read that right. The same Serena Williams who has spent decades breaking barriers for Black athletes and advocating for Black culture was suddenly under fire for, apparently, not being “Black enough” in the eyes of the internet jury. The crime? Showcasing a dance move with deep West Coast hip-hop roots while being married to Alexis Ohanian, a white tech entrepreneur.

Because, obviously, the cultural police have decided that Blackness is now measured by one’s spouse rather than a lifetime of contributions. The irony would be hilarious if it weren’t so exhausting.

The Crip Walk Controversy—A Brief Recap

Williams first made headlines for the Crip Walk in 2012 when she did the dance after winning gold at the London Olympics. The move, historically associated with gang culture, has since evolved into a mainstream dance step embraced by hip-hop and sports figures alike. Back then, people clutched their pearls about whether it was appropriate for an athlete on the world stage to perform it.

Fast forward to 2024, and the same debate resurfaced—but with an added layer of marital discourse. Critics argued that by doing the dance at the Super Bowl while being married to a white man, Serena was somehow “playing up” Black culture for clout. Others claimed it was hypocritical to “dance for the culture” while not being fully immersed in it.

But let’s take a step back—are we really saying that a woman who grew up in Compton, shattered racial barriers in tennis, and has used her platform to elevate Black voices is not “immersed” in Black culture because of who she fell in love with? The logic is flimsy at best and deeply problematic at worst.

The Selective Outrage Problem

The internet has a habit of shifting goalposts when it comes to cultural discussions. Black athletes and celebrities are often held to impossible standards, expected to both represent and defend their culture while being criticized no matter what they do. If Serena had married a Black man, would the same people now calling her out suddenly give her a pass? Or would they find another reason to scrutinize her every move?

There’s also the issue of who gets to participate in cultural expression. The same critics who drag Serena for doing the Crip Walk likely have no problem with non-Black celebrities adopting hip-hop slang, wearing cornrows, or profiting off of Black culture when it suits them. The inconsistency is glaring.

Let’s Keep the Same Energy

If we’re going to have conversations about cultural authenticity, let’s make them meaningful. Serena Williams’ marriage does not negate her Blackness, nor does it erase her right to celebrate a dance move she has embraced for over a decade. Instead of policing who gets to participate in cultural moments, maybe it’s time we start addressing the real issues—like systemic barriers that prevent Black athletes and entertainers from fully owning their narratives.

Serena Williams owes nothing to the internet’s moral gatekeepers. She’s been fighting battles far bigger than Twitter debates for years, and if she wants to hit a Crip Walk at the Super Bowl, that’s her business. Maybe the real issue isn’t Serena’s authenticity, but rather the discomfort people feel when a successful Black woman refuses to fit neatly into their expectations.

And that? That’s the conversation we should be having.