Serena Williams’ triumph at the 2012 Olympics was celebrated with a distinctive dance: the C-Walk or Crip Walk. 

The “C” in C-Walk stands for Crip, a gаnɡ originating from the coastal regions of Southern California. This dance was popularized by the Crips long ago, though its origins have faded over time. Williams, who is from Compton, a suburb in that area, performed this dance after winning the gold medal by defeating Maria Sharapova in just over an hour.

What appeared to be a simple celebratory dance to Williams drew significant media criticism, particularly from Fox Sports. The outlet remarked, “She was in the city of kings and queens. People were sipping champagne and eating strawberries and cream … and there was Serena crip-walking all over the most lily-white place in the world.”

During press conferences, reporters questioned Williams about the dance’s gаnɡ affiliations and whether she had any regrets performing it on such a prominent stage. One asked, “All people know that the crip walk is not just a dance. Do you have any regrets doing it in front of everyone?”

Williams, clearly baffled, firmly defended her actions, stating, “First of all, it was just a dance. I didn’t know that’s what it was called.” She then criticized the journalist for the assumptions and suggested that questions should be supportive rather than nеɡɑtiᴠе. “Why are you asking me that? You should be asking questions to lift me up, not bring such things… I’m done with that question,” she concluded.

In the aftermath, Californian native and legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, among others, defended Williams. Snoop Dogg, who helped popularize the move, tweeted his support: “Shout out to Serena Williams. C walking at the Olympics Cpt style hahahahah! Go girl.” 

Clinton Yates of the WаsҺinɡton Post also came to her defense, questioning the selective outrage by pointing out the dance’s previous acceptance in popular culture, such as in the movie “You Got Served.” 

Chris Chase of Yahoo! Sports downplayed the controversy, writing, “This makes it seem like Serena crip-walked away from the Queen after ꜱtеaling the crown jewels. She broke out the dance for three seconds, while looking at her sister sitting in the player’s box! It’s a dance move, not a political statement.”