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Is 'King Richard' sexist? Will Smith film faces heat as fans bash white feminists

A Twitter user questioned the name and the concept of the movie saying why the movie was named and based on a man

While the Will Smith starrer ‘King Richard’ is busy raking in the rave reviews at home and abroad, a Twitter thread claiming the movie to be sexist created quite a stir on the micro-blogging site over the weekend. The film stars Will Smith as Richard Williams, the father, and coach of world champion tennis players Venus and Serena Williams.

A Twitter user questioned the name and the concept of the movie saying that why the movie was named ‘King Richard’ when it was about the success story of Serena and Venus Williams adding that why it focused on their father Richard. The fans of the actor and the tennis players then stormed Twitter as a debate over white women raising questions on the intentions of Black women brewed quickly.
 
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Is ‘King Richard’ a sexist movie?

‘King Richard’ has been executively produced by Venus and Serena Williams, something which the social media users said repeatedly while debating on Twitter. The social media user who kickstarted the entire controversy first stated, “Did they seriously make a film called ‘King Richard’ about the success of Serena and Venus Williams - but it’s about their dad, Richard?”

The user added, “I get this has annoyed people but I genuinely didn’t expect a film about two of the most powerful, successful and amazing black female athletes to be named after a man, or centre a man. I would have loved this film to be all about them, and not a man. That’s it really.”  These tweets led to a whole new drama on social media as fans slammed the white women for having opinions on Black culture when nothing was wrong with the movie. For the unversed, the biographical drama flick was released on November 19 and Will Smith has been praised for his Oscar-worthy performance in the same. 

‘White feminist takes are exhausting, lazy and always so loud’

While slamming the sexist remarks, one user posted, “Wait a minute. Some white women have a problem with Venus and Serena producing a movie that centers their dad? THEIR DAD. Is that what I’m reading on the timeline? That can’t be what’s happening right now.” Another, on similar lines shared, “I find it amusing that it’s white women writing think pieces about King Richard.” One user added, “Those takes are so fake & performative. As if they were going to even watch the movie anyway — “well if it were about S&V as women & not centering a man…” Tf they think a movie called King Richard was gonna be about? White feminist takes are exhausting and lazy & always so loud.” The next one tweeted, “If two world renowned and powerful Black women want to honor their Black father via a film for his critical role in their success, why disparage that? In particular, why would a White woman deem it her role to disparage that?”
 
One user added, “Seeing the response to King Richard from critics who identify as white feminists and lack an intersectional lens, I pray that my next book is only reviewed by Black women and women of color.” Another said, “I saw one white woman refer to King Richard as “benevolent sexism.” But what I find interesting is how white feminism often treats Black women as mascots of feminine strength w/o agency. (It also reminds me of that period when ppl were calling different BW their “spirit animal.)” Meanwhile, one stated, “I swear to God, white women wonder why black people don’t trust them…well the release of “King Richard” is a perfect example, this movie was Executive Produced by both Venus and Serena. What’s your issue? They haven’t retired, their stories continue…so WHAT IS YOUR ISSUE???” And, another person concluded, “These Twitter think pieces on how the movie “King Richard” is sexist, when Venus and Serena were executive producers for the movie is very weird.”

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