Madison Keys has been on fire.  She lost in the semi-finals to Serena Williams but put in a solid effort.  Lately she’s also making headlines for claiming the middle-ground in matters of race.  She is quoted in the New York Times as saying: “It’s something that’s always there obviously, but I’m very much right in the middle,” she said. “I don’t really think of it. I don’t really identify myself as white or African-American. I’m just me. I’m Madison.”

The statement has created some flack from fans and detractors alike.  But why?  Why can’t she claim the solid middle ground on race when she is both black and white?  She wants to speak to the whole of her experience and America’s race labels don’t tell her complex story.  Agree or disagree?–Heidi Durrow