A week after promising to use her growing platform for good, Coco Gauff has stepped up her game in the fight for social justice. The 16-year-old gave a speech to peaceful protesters in her hometown of Delray Beach, Florida, telling them that they need to make sure they have their voices heard, no matter how big or small their platforms are.
“I’m here to tell you guys that we must first love each other no matter what,” Gauff said. “We must have the tough conversations with our friends. I’ve been spending all week having tough conversations, trying to educate my non-black friends on how they can help the movement. Second, we need to take action.”
The current World No.52 is calling for action and playing a pivotal role at mobilizing her peers, both inside the sport and out.
“You need to use your voice, no matter how big or small your platform is, you need to use your voice,” Gauff said. “I saw a Dr. [Martin Luther]King quote that said, ‘The silence of the good people is worse than the brutality of the bad people.’ So, you need to not be silent. If you are choosing silence, you’re choosing the side of the oppressor.”
Gauff has received praise from her WTA elders, including Kim Clijsters and Chris Evert.
“Thank you for being a girl that my daughter will learn from and look up to,” Clijsters tweeted. “I promise that we will keep on teaching our kids the right thing to do so that they can pass it on too. It all starts at home!”
Evert called Gauff “A role model, leader, visionary in the making,” on Twitter.
"I believe we have a future leader, role model, and activist in Coco Gauff," she posted. "At the young age of 16, she is showing up in the fight against racial prejudice. She could champion human rights and still be a champion in tennis. I believe she can be an inspiration and do it all."