I was excited to watch King Richard a couple weeks ago when it was released because 1) Will Smith is iconic and 2) I’m here for anything that celebrates Venus and Serena Williams. And although I enjoyed learning more about the superstars’ upbringings (especially Venus’s journey), I was pleasantly surprised to see that a different star was publicly recognized throughout this film: fatherhood.
For those unfamiliar, King Richard is the real-life story about the humble beginnings of Venus and Serena Williams, two of the greatest tennis players in the world. The movie focuses heavily on their father (and coach and manager, among other things) Richard Williams, Jr. and his perspective as he helps lead his daughters to worldwide superstardom.
This decision to center the story around Richard Williams hasn’t gone over well with some folks. In fact, Black Twitter had to defend the movie after it was labeled “sexist” on social media. Aside from the very important facts that Venus and Serena served as executive producers for the film while a couple of their other sisters appeared on set to oversee familial inaccuracies, I think those who only saw a story based around a man failed to see the greater picture.
King Richard is a story about the importance of fatherhood, and a much-needed depiction of black fathers at that.
The real-life Richard Williams had his flaws and controversies, as all fathers do, but what I appreciated about this film is that it showed the world a different image of black men navigating fatherhood. And I believe most of us in the black community would agree that we are in dire need of positive images of black men being present and active fathers to their children.
This movie gave us such a great representation of this, and I want to highlight three ways King Richard demonstrated the importance of black fatherhood.
A father speaking affirming, validating words to his children.
I immediately caught this image from the first couple scenes with Richard and his daughters. I loved how he always had them repeat affirming words about themselves, their talents, and future accomplishments. He even encouraged all his girls to write goals and dreams in their journals at night, which I am sure increased their beliefs that they could truly accomplish any goal.
Parents truly create a foundation for their children’s lives and they help shape their identities, and that is why it’s so critical to have a father who speaks positive words over his children. As children grow into adulthood, the world is going to tell them to base their identities on all kinds of things (careers, relationship status, money, etc.) but it makes a world of difference when that person is rooted in their identity because it was positively shaped for them early on. It also helps develop self-confidence when encouraging, positive words about who they are and what they’re capable of have been spoken over them throughout childhood. No wonder Venus and Serena went on to be two of the most decorated tennis players in history. Their father constantly told them they were great athletes, and this helped build their confidence to walk in that greatness.
A father protecting his children.
In the film, Richard Williams protects his girls in various ways. He guards them from men’s sexual advances, he protects their innocence and childhood by refusing to train them so much that they burnout, and he even works to protect them from pride and getting a “big head” as they accomplish things.
There’s a certain level of peace and comfort you have when you know you’re safe and someone has your best interest in mind, and biblically speaking, fathers were designed to offer this type of protection. Unfortunately because of sin, many people within the black community did not grow up under the protection and security of a father. That is why this image of Richard Williams and how he protected his family is so critical because our community needs to be reminded that 1) a present, active father who protects his family should be the norm in black households and 2) despite what we may see on TV or even in our own lives, there are black men working hard to keep their families safe.
A father who has a vision for his children.
I couldn’t stop laughing every time Richard Williams mentioned the 78-page plan he drafted for Venus and Serena Williams. That man was on it, even before they were born! Now, this may have seemed excessive or controlling to some, and the movie did a good job of showing how Richard Williams had to include his daughters’ desires into the plans he envisioned, but I believe this showed us the impact of a father who believes in his children. Richard created a plan for their tennis careers because he saw the greatness in them. He believed in it and fought hard for it, and there is nothing like having someone in your corner who not only believes in you, but will also fight to get you to your greatest potential.
We can debate about the harshness of Joe Jackson or the stubbornness of Abraham Quintanilla Jr., but no one will deny that the Jackson Five, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Selena are household names because their fathers believed in and had visions for them.
Watching this movie made me proud and encouraged to see a black man fathering his children so well. I’ve seen many examples of this the older I get, and that also encourages me about the growth and change within my community.
However, it also struck a chord with me, because as I’ve previously shared, I didn’t grow up being super connected with my father. I’m so grateful that we’ve developed a good relationship in my adulthood, but this movie reminded me of how impactful it is to have a father speaking life, protecting, and creating visions for his children during their childhood.
So, if you watched King Richard and it pulled at your heartstrings for various reasons, I hope to encourage you. If you can relate to the story, I hope it reminds you to appreciate your father and encourage his efforts. If you cannot relate, I hope you’ll be reminded that you have a heavenly Father who does all Richard Williams did for His children, and more.
Our Father God speaks life into us and calls us his “workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”-Ephesians 2:10
He protects us and tells us, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”-Isaiah 41:10
He has a plan for our lives and promises that “all things will be added to us” if we seek first his kingdom and his righteousness. –Matthew 6:33
King Richard showed us the power of a father’s love, dedication, and influence on his children—necessary images for our community. Although I’m grateful for this movie’s message, I am even more thankful that we have a greater visual of a father’s love for his children—a love so powerful that it sacrificed life for us. King Richard’s depiction of fatherhood is undoubtedly important, but God’s is life changing.