Caster Semenya: a story in which black excellence is oppressed to impress white averageness

A ruling by the Court Arbitration for Sport to prohibit Caster Semenya from racing against women in IAAF Diamond Doha unless she reduces the level of natural testosterone in her body. Semenya responds- in the most empowering way- by hauling a victory over an elite field in the 800 meter race.

The ruling and her response encapsulates Semenya and her determination, hard work and charisma. A black homosexual women from a South African town has, due to her physical appearance, dealt with the most unimaginable online and offline abuse. “She- male, transgender, a man, not woman- like” are descriptive words that still rank on the ‘nice comments’ side of the spectrum.

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Semenya was born with both sexual organs and has both XX and XY chromosomes, but was and still identifies as a woman. Her physical appearance is, when comparing her to her sport colleagues, more toned, strong with a larger presence of muscles. She stands out.

Where it is taught that standing out and being unique is a strong and good trait to have in sports, she is scrutinized and abused for it.

While there is a huge underlying debate about who should and shouldn’t belong in women’s sports, and who shouldn’t and should debate about this (spoiler alert: men shouldn’t), it seems and is unfair for Semenya to endure a toxic combination of racism, sexism and homophobia. A black woman winning races, trying to do what she does best whilst being exposed and used as a debate topic in all sport channels and online news, must to some extent create damage on one’s confidence and happiness.

Unless you’re Semenya.

Because where toxic abuse is hurled, racial slurs are yelled and sickening comparisons are made, Semenya keeps quiet. She races, does her job, wins and shakes her opponents hands. A rule follower. Because if she would do anything else, it is only a matter of time before the pile of racism, sexism and homophobia stacks up.

Her ability, strength and determination should be celebrated, not oppressed. Her fight is just like others. Her runs are just like others. Her ability to do the best she can is just as others.

She is just as others...only better.

In the days where she is told she can’t become a female athlete, she has become one of the world’s most visible. In a world where she is told to be less strong and fight less, she has shown an athlete’s greatest fight and strength. In a world where the sport system creates a ruling to oppress her black excellence, she overcomes and dominates above white averageness.

Forcing her to take drugs to lower her testosterone levels, just so she can be ‘just as strong’ as her other athletes is an insult and degradation to her legacy.

It is not her responsibility to lower her standards just so she can stoop down to others’ level.

Make the others work harder, in order to even adhere the tiniest bit to her standards. Black excellence is present and Semenya is the physical embodiment- don’t punish her for moving the body.

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Written by: Salem