PREACH IT! Venus Williams: Full-court ugly

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By now, you’ve probably seen Venus Williams’ butt -- or, at least, what the media, for the sake of click-throughs, would like to pass off as her butt.

During a recent match at the French Open, much news was made off Williams’ skirt ensemble, which included, among other elements, (1) the bustier that Cher donated to Out of the Closet at the end of her Bagel Boy phase, (2) a 17th century child’s mantilla re-purposed as a skirt and (3) this sort of nude-brief-underwear thing that peeked out every so often, you know, during moments of competitive vigor.

The brief-underwear thing was the same color as Williams’ skin, and it hugged her behind. The media decided this was close enough to actually be Williams’ butt, and they posted the photo everywhere. Nearly 2,000 times, to be precise. Pseudo-controversy ensued.

But in harrumphing over Williams’ derriere -- which, for the record, is a pretty legendary rear end -- the media missed the point. Figure skaters wear that nude brief material all the time, sometimes all over. Britney Spears has worn it -- several times -- with little spanglies all over it; nobody cares.

Here’s what should concern you: that Williams wore the bustier that Cher donated to Out of the Closet paired with a 17th century child’s mantilla. If we’re going to be offended, let’s focus on what’s offensive, people.

-- Leslie Gornstein

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