Racist? Caroline Wozniacki imitating Serena Williams

Was Caroline Wozniacki's joke racist?

1. It was just a joke. 

After viewing the video myself, I honestly do not believe that Caroline was acting with the intent to hurt or offend. Although the joke was in very bad taste and incredibly unprofessional, she appeared oblivious to what effect it could have caused. 

2. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

Who wouldn't want to be Serena Williams? She has an amazing track-record in tennis and she's in her early thirties and already regarded as one of the greatest tennis players in history. 

Aside from her great achievements, Serena Williams also has a body that will make you want to go to the gym:

Caroline...

I guess you can tell why she imitated Serena's body. 

3. They're friends.

I know that to a lot of people, when a racist act is committed and the 'friend' excuse is being used ('we're friends' or 'I have a black friend'), it's seen as a cop-out for taking any responsibility for committing that racist act. 

While that may be the case in many cases, Serena and Caroline are said to be friends, so they probably make all kinds of jokes in private. 

4. Serena hasn't responded.

Why she hasn't (publicly) responded, is open to interpretation. Maybe she knew it was a joke and didn't care? Or maybe she wanted to keep her non-black fan-base happy?  

Either way, if she hasn't publicly responded and if she's been offended, I'm sure she talked to Caroline about it in private.

5. Caroline is ignorant.

I mean it in a 'nice' way. 

It is very likely that Caroline (like most non-black people and probably some black people too) is unaware of the history of black women; particularly their portrayal. 

6. White privilege.

White Europeans have never had to endure any race motivated marginalisation, discrimination or negative portrayal. She doesn't know what it's like to be on the receiving end of racism, therefore she may not even think she's committed a (possibly) racist act. 

6. Less of the accusing, more of the educating.

We need to think before we start accusing every single act as 'racist' without thinking that it may have not been done maliciously.

Indeed there are zero excuses for people not knowing our history, but how can we expect other people to know our history and be sensitive towards us when many of us don't know it ourselves? 

Let's educate, not berate.