Serena Williams made waves recently with a Facebook post denouncing police brutality, which was met with an expectedly high level of resistance.What was surprising were those who said Williams was trying to capitalize on this moment -- those who wondered why she chose now, when Colin Kaepernick has been the catalyzing image of this issue.Heres what she posted:Her perspective is a sobering look into the existence of Black America, including, but not limited to, a black woman who experiences those fears while being one of the most prominent athletes in the world.Despite the publics selective memory, Williams is not capitalizing on Kaepernicks protest. She has made it a point to speak out about the Black Lives Matter movement in the past few years.?In November 2015, she wrote for Wired on this very issue: Im a black woman, and I am in a sport that wasnt really meant for black people. ...So to those of you involved in equality movements like Black Lives Matter, I say this: Keep it up. Dont let those trolls stop you. Weve been through so much for so many centuries, and we shall overcome this too (see Get Up, Stand Up). To other people, I say: When someones harassing someone else, speak up!Serena also spoke about this in July, after she?raised her fist in pride and later won Wimbledon, having just tied Steffi Graf with the most major wins of any tennis player, and mirroring John Carlos and Tommie Smith at the 1968 Olympics. After she gave us that powerful image, she spoke about the spate of murders of unarmed black men, such as Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, while denouncing the then-recent shootings of policemen in Dallas, expressing the fear she had for her nephews. She told reporters:Perhaps the fact that youre only hearing her now indicates the effectiveness of the broader protest in amplifying her voice. But with all the evidence that Williams has spoken up about Black Lives Matters in the past, its quite an incredible spectacle to see a movement spurred by Kaepernick (a backup quarterback, as the least vitriolic critics refer to him) elevating the voice of the highest-profile woman in sports. It took a backup quarterback -- and a man -- for the general public to listen to her.Of course, this isnt the first time womens activism has taken a backseat to mens. In July, a group of prominent NBA players including LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Paul and Carmelo Anthony opened the ESPYS with an impassioned speech on Black Lives Matter. But, just a few days before the award ceremony, members of the Minnesota Lynx wore warm-up T-shirts declaring that Black Lives Matter and calling for Change and Accountability.The next day the New York Liberty followed suit, also donning?shirts?reading #Dallas5 to honor the slain officers, and in the ensuing weeks several other teams joined in. A week after the ESPYS, the WNBA tried to fine a few of these teams, but ultimately decided not to after several pointed out that the men had not been similarly punished for wearing I Cant Breathe shirts following the death of Eric Garner.You could easily say that the platform of the ESPYS combined with the much higher profile of the NBA players accounts for them making bigger headlines than their WNBA counterparts. But its pretty telling that Serena, whose every move down to her manicure choices is endlessly scrutinized, went largely unheard on this issue until now, until Kaepernick focused everyones attention.Her sister Venus, also among the most prominent women in sports, unfortunately made headlines by saying all lives matter after being asked about her Serenas post, which she said she hadnt read. This isnt the space to go into why those words are hurtful and unhelpful -- here?and here?are some links to help you with that -- but her use of those words is disappointing in their dismissiveness nonetheless.That said, the vitriol leveled against Venus in response -- disparaging her as the lesser sister, tearing down her successful campaign for equal pay, even questioning her athletic achievements -- only displays the ways in which the fight for equality often comes in terms of contradiction rather than necessary intersectionality, and even perhaps reluctant compromise.Its true that the feminist movement has often, if mostly, manifested in white terms, leaving behind racial equality among women in the name of furthering some nebulous, homogeneous sense of womanhood. But we dont need to bring down women in order to raise up the cause for civil rights, and if anybody knows that truth, its women of color, particularly black women. If anyone has been at the forefront of furthering both causes simultaneously, its the Williams sisters -- both of them.Venus has had to endure every argument of female athletic inferiority in her fight for equal pay. Meanwhile, Serena has been projected with every negative aspect of not only athletic inferiority, but of feminine inferiority, body image, achievement, success, etiquette, high expectations, low expectations, celebrity, fame, dating -- all of which have been informed by notions of race.That extends to her voice, which she has used in the past but is only being heard now.That doesnt stop with Serena. As The Undefeateds Mark J. Spears covered extensively this weekend, Warriors power forward David West has also publicly protested the national anthem for years. As West said, his stance is about much more than police brutality against the black community -- its about the various ways he sees his community being subjugated, far beyond issues of civics.What about education? What about infant mortality? How about how we die younger and our babies die sooner? West said. We die. [Black men] have the shortest life expectancy. Cmon, man. The health care system? There are so many [issues]. ...I cant start talking about civic issues. I cant start talking about civility and being a citizen if m--f-- dont even think Im a human being. How can you talk about progress and how humans interrelate with one another when you dont even recognize our humanity?West told Spears he doesnt see Kaepernick, et als, protests having a lasting impact. Its an understandable perspective from one of many voices who have gone unheard for so long -- until now. Wholesale Shoes Australia . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. 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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Mike Trout took slight comfort in reaching a couple statistical milestones on the final day of the Los Angeles Angels worst season of the 21st century.Hes determined to make sure next October means a whole lot more.Trout stole his 30th base and drove in his 100th run, and the Angels wrapped up just their third losing season in 13 years with an 8-1 victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday.I knew about them for sure, and its always cool to get 30 stolen bases, Trout said. Its not where we want to be, but its good to end it on a positive note.Jhoulys Chacin pitched seven scoreless innings of four-hit ball for the Angels (74-88), who won nine of their final 11 games and still finished 12th in the 15-team AL.We finished strong, said Trout, who completed his second 100-RBI season. Theres a lot of positive things we can take away from this year. It seemed like every other week, our lineup or our pitching staff took a big hit, but we played good for the last few weeks.Trout concluded another MVP-caliber campaign stuck on 29 homers, but he got his stolen base in the first inning and an RBI single in the sixth before leaving to a standing ovation. Trout went 1 for 2 and added two walks to his Angels-record total of 116, tops in the majors.This guy is the MVP, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. I dont think theres any question.Los Angeles finished fourth in the AL West, failing to finish in the top three for the first time since 1999.The Astros (84-78) missed the postseason for the 10th time in 11 years, though they won only two fewer games than last seasons playoff team.Houstons Brady Rodgers (0-1) gave up five hits and four runs in his first big league start for his hometown team. The 26-year-old farmhand, who made his MLB debut last month, relished the chance to face Trout.It was pretty cool, a pretty special moment that Ill always remember, Rodgers said. Hopefully we have a lot of battles in our future. Im definitely looking forward to the coompetition between him and I.ddddddddddddose Altuve went 1 for 4 with a broken-bat single in the ninth inning, ensuring his second AL batting title at .338.Its nice for him to end on a high note, Houston manager A.J. Hinch said of Altuve. The bat breaking is probably not his favorite. He loves his bats. But what a sensational season for him.Carlos Perez had a two-run double during the Angels four-run second inning, Kole Calhoun added a two-run double in the sixth and Jefry Marte homered in the seventh.NO EXTRASThe Angels became the second team since 1913 to play an entire season without an extra-inning win. Only the 1969 Montreal Expos have done it in that stretch. Los Angeles played only four extra-inning games, the second-fewest since 1913 behind the 1936 St. Louis Browns (3).JHOS SURGEChacin (4-4), a midseason acquisition, finished an inconsistent year with a dominant effort in his first victory since Aug. 21. He improved to 4-2 with a 3.37 ERA in his career at Angel Stadium.DAVIDSONS FAREWELLBefore the game, the Angels announced home plate umpire Bob Davidson is retiring after 28 seasons. The 64-year-old Davidson saluted the stands during a warm ovation. Davidson, who broke into the majors in 1982, is perhaps best known for his aggressive balk calls.TRAINERS ROOMAstros: RF George Springer played in every game this season, although his finale was brief: He led off the game with a single and promptly left for a pinch-runner. He is the first Houston player to appear in every game since Carlos Lee in 2007. Springer led the majors with 744 plate appearances.Angels: RHP Jered Weaver took a curtain call when he was recognized on the scoreboard. Weaver, who skipped this start with back pain, is a free agent this winter who might not return to the Angels, his only big league team for 11 seasons. Hopefully theres more, Scioscia said. ' ' '