Using the "N" word in any context, whatever your skin color is, is insulting and incendiary. No one has the right to use it. This so-called "rapper" needs to clean up his act. As far as being a Grammy nominee, that shows me that the Grammy awards ceremonies are self-important, pretentious events.

There is disagreement even among Blacks as to whether or not it is okay to use the N word. I know as white person, that it is not okay for whites to use it. I'll let the people of color make the decision on whether or not there are situations where the word is okay to use. Be that as it may, the poster was insinuating that because the singer is a rapper, uses the N word, and is an activist, that he is somehow going to "bring down" Naomi. If you take the N word out of the equation, I don't see the problem. He's a gifted singer with a bright future.

NOW I remember why I seldom jump in and give my opinion on anything. For a moment there, I just lost my mind!
In hindsight, I shouldn't have even mentioned her boyfriends color, because his color doesn't matter to me. And winning awards doesn't mean he has real talent. His actions and lifestyle say a lot about him. The fact that he makes music using F words and N words is enough to turn me off, and I don't care if he is white or purple. I have friends of all color!
Osaka has always seemed like a gentle soul and I was taught that it isn't smart to keep company with people that speak like her boyfriend. Her tennis career seemed so very important to her, and she was successful and making millions. I fear it might be hard for her to be an activist and maintain her fan base. However, she is obviously making decisions that might change her life.
Oh, by the way, I get the feeling that some of you seem to think that she has quit tennis. She never stated that. She simply dropped out of the French Open. Again, just my humble opinion.

1. It's never ok to use it
2.The decision for decent people is to never use it.
3. I don't believe she'll quit because she doesn't want to give interviews
4. Everyone in some kind of spotlight is an activist.
5. A gifted singer with a filthy mouth.
6. Naomi: Get your head straight, dump this "gifted singer" and forge your own future.

The topic is Naomi Osaka…withdrawal from French Open and mental health issues.

Please don’t turn this into another polarizing discussion about race or the thread will be closed.

Moderator

I question the authenticity of being "unable" to give interviews. This link will take you to an interview she gave in 8/2020. Can it be that anxiety is so great she can't do interviews that promote her career, but less so when she discusses her activism? I struggle with that. Naomi Osaka: She Wore BLM Masks to '''Make People Start Talking''' | Time

Mmmm? do I see similarities to Whitney Houston here (i hope not?) Clock ticking? Or snowball heading down hill? If I was her I’d get help quickly cause don’t take long to be forgotten on pro tour? Every tournament missed the field gets stronger?

I think Osaka has some very odd opinions and she may have social anxiety and I feel for her but voicing these opinions will hurt her endorsements.

I feel sorry for Naomi because it's stated that she's going through depression. That's something that goes far beyond interviews.


It would have taken a verrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrry strong person to get through the debacle of her US Open final against Serena--her first major final win, and the crowd booing despite Serena trying to calm everyone down and turn the situation around. It's said that Naomi hasn't been able to overcome that.

Nonetheless, I hope she comes back. My suggestion, and I am only half joking, is that she take lessons from some NFL quarterback--Ben Roethlisberger comes to mind--on how to answer interview questions without actually answering them. "Yes, I have a great team, and we all pull together," "I always enjoy playing here; the crowd is great," "Thank you all for coming." No matter what the question.

I'm serious. She could get some coaching on this.

See Post #9.

Simple. Accept the sponsors rules, or don’t take their money.

And that's exactly what happened. She couldn't accept the sponsor's rules, and so she bowed out of the race.

Completely agree. This girl knows the requirements. She has been on the circuit for some time so it's part of being a athlete. She will be asked tough questions as well as silly ones. For $55 million, easy. Good luck, kid, you'll certainly need it.