It's Tough to Do the Right Thing

Last week, Venus Williams won the Dubai Open, but Shahar Peer was not allowed to play.  No one on the women's tennis tour, apparently, protested.  It's hard to do the right thing when there's so much money involved, and so many people who will be disappointed, or so the story goes.

Peer was part of the main draw for the tournament, but was denied a visa because she is an Israeli.  They cited security concerns.  (Today, the men's tournament begins, and an Israeli men's doubles player, Andy Ram, will be granted a visa.  Apparently it's easier to provide security for a man than a woman.  Why the double standard?)  The UAE waited until the other players had flown in from all around the world before they denied Peer's entry into the country, thus making it difficult for the tournament directors to protest by canceling the tournament.  The WTA expressed "deep disappointment" about the situation, but did nothing at the time to address the injustice.  Venus Williams spoke a few platitudes about the situation, but even then said she didn't "want to rock the boat or upset people."  She spoke of her father's battle with racism in the USA, but wouldn't speak up about this injustice.  I was disappointed with her response.  Not surprised.  Just disappointed.

The other players didn't pass on the opportunity to play in the tournament with extremely lucrative prize money.  Some said they didn't want to disappoint fans, and, besides, they were already there ready to play.  Not a single player withdrew in support of Peer.  Apparently there has been no word from the various sponsors, either.

It's not easy to stand up for injustice, to stand against big money that's offered, to fight against the system.

It's not easy, but it would have been great if someone had done it.  Anyone....