For the past 24 hours the world has been buzzing about the new Nike advert. Why? Well, it’s only gone and created a kick-ass, feminist story voiced by the one and only tennis queen Serena Williams.
The ‘Dream Crazy’ video, celebrating 30 years of the brand’s ‘Just Do It’ slogan, was revealed during the 91st Oscars ceremony and for 90-seconds captured history-making female athletes and coaches – including hijab-wearing fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad, Olympic gymnast Simone Biles and runner Caster Semenya, who was forced to undergo gender-confirmation tests after breaking the world record for 800 metres, in all their raw glory.Â
These iconic clips of women ran alongside an emotional and powerful speech by mother-of-one Williams. Here’s what she had to say:Â
“If we show emotion, we’re called dramatic. If we want to play against men, we’re nuts. And if we dream of equal opportunity, delusional. When we stand for something, we’re unhinged.”
Serena goes on to discuss the negative portrayals women are given in the sporting industry…
“When we’re too good there’s something wrong with us. And if we get angry, we’re hysterical or irrational or just being crazy. But, a woman running a marathon was crazy. A woman boxing was crazy. A woman dunking? Crazy. Coaching an NBA team? Crazy.”
“A woman competing in a hijab, changing her sport, landing a double-cork 1080 or winning 23 grand slams, having a baby and then coming back for more? Crazy, crazy, crazy, crazy and crazy. So if they want to call you crazy? Fine. Show them what crazy can do.”
The ad “marks the start of Nike’s push ahead of this summer’s Women’s World Cup soccer tournament” and The has received mega positive feedback for inspiring women to be strong. Too right.Â