The only criticism I really had for Gabby Douglas this year is that I thought it was somewhat unfair that she got a place on Team USA’s gymnastics squad even though she totally bombed at the Olympic trials. Once she got her place on the team and arrived in Rio, she has delivered. She was a big part of Team USA’s group gold medal, and she’s been turning in stellar performances throughout the Rio Olympics. It’s likely that Gabby was just having an “off” week at the trials, or that she was being primed to “peak” at the Olympics. Whatever happened, I’m glad she made the team.
But people have still been criticizing Gabby like crazy, just like at the 2012 Olympics. People just can’t let Gabby live and do her thing. Was she disappointed that she didn’t get to compete in the all-around because of a technicality? Sure, of course she was. Was she still proud of her teammates Simone Biles and Aly Raisman? Of course she was. But people have still been criticizing every little thing this young woman does. One of the biggest controversies from Rio was that Gabby stood at attention, with her arms at her sides, while the “Star Spangled Banner” played. As opposed to standing with her hand over her heart, which is what her teammates did. I didn’t cover it last week because I really didn’t want to give the issue the column inches – it’s not a requirement to put one’s hand over one’s heart for the song. LEAVE GABBY ALONE.
Now Gabby and her mother are both speaking out about the fact that it’s now a national pasttime to drag an incredibly talented African-American woman over nothing. Gabby’s mom Natalie Hawkins told media outlets:
“She’s had to deal with people criticizing her hair, or people accusing her of bleaching her skin. They said she had breast enhancements, they said she wasn’t smiling enough, she’s unpatriotic. Then it went to not supporting your teammates. Now you’re ‘Crabby Gabby.’ You name it and she got trampled. What did she ever do to anyone?”
Gabby had some words too:
“I tried to stay off the internet because there’s just so much negativity. Either it was about my hair or my hand not over my heart [on the medal podium] or I look depressed. … It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. It’s been kind of a lot to deal with. I’ve always said it was an honor to represent the U.S. You always do this for your country, and then, like people say, for yourself and other people.”
Douglas says she has also supported her teammates, Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, who won gold and silver respectively in the All-Around.
“I love them,” she said. “I always supported them. When I heard some of the comments, I was finally like ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, that’s far from me and far from my personality at all. I’ve been through a lot. A lot. Sometimes I sit back and say, ‘Wait. What did I do to disrespect people? What have I done to disrespect the USA?”
Yeah, I don’t know how to explain it. I would say that some/many people feel like there can only be one gymnastics-sweetheart and this year that sweetheart is Simone Biles. But I don’t even think that covers it! Gabby got the same kind of bulls—t in London and that time she was the “sweetheart.” People just love to drag this young woman and it sickening.
Photos courtesy of Getty.
I was reading about this and it hurt my heart and angered me. America’s particular brand of patriotism pisses me off because it’s incredibly hypocritical. It was very clear she wasn’t doing anything to make a statement, that’s just how she stood for the national anthem.
You Americans. We have a stupid german gold medal winner who danced, crossed his arms in front of him and even whistled while the anthem was played. Rude and arrogant. And this poor girl just didn’t put her hand over her heart and is grilled for it. I think it’s up to everyone if they want to sing along or put a hand over their heart. I don’t care as long as they behave appropriately and respectfully.
American media culture has completely disentigrated into this “Gotcha.” culture that draws instantaneous comparisons and conclusions about behavior. The smallest thing that can be found wrong with someone (usually women) is amplified to the infinite degree while others (usually men) have the advantage of having their major missteps downplayed or forgotten about it. The Anerican media and social media for that matter, can be insanely unforgiving. I just think Gabby was so harshly compared to Simone and that she was subjected to some of that sexist rhetoric too, perhaps her beauty made her a bigger target? She has a lot of heart and it’s so sad her talents were downplayed.
Phelps giggled through the anthem and no one had a problem with it. Hmmm.
He’s a man, and he’s white. Plus he has more medals than he knows what to do with. He;s the “winner-type” they want to associate themselves with.
Maybe because I was born in a country I detest, but I grew up looking at anthems and flags as BS. Unless you get your citizenship as an adult, you really don’t get any say whatsoever on your nationality. I “got” mine (was forced on me) because my ancestors have lived in the same area for 3000 years, before a country even existed (it’s in Europe, not Americas). I didn’t choose it,they didn’t choose it as such. I feel no loyalty toward what the country became.
What Gabby did was standing there, in attention. Said it before but the “hand in heart” thing is stupid anyways. I would do it…at gunpoint. So, those idiots have no ideal what “unpatriotic” or “hating your country” even is. She seems proud from being from the US. If anyone knows the difference, I do.
Yeah, it takes a special kind of idiot to refer to a gold medal winning Olympian ON THE PODIUM as “unpatriotic.”
I wish people would leave this beautiful, talented young lady alone. It is just awful how she is being treated…from complaining about her hand not being over her heart during the national anthem to her having a scowl on her face at one point during the meet. Honestly…as long as she isn’t flipping off the camera I just don’t care, and even then I probably don’t care either! She was standing respectfully during the anthem and one millisecond during a meet she is entitled to have a frowny face. Get off her a$$ people!
McKayla did the same thing and became a meme and recreated it with the President!
But McKayla is white and that makes all the difference for some Americans. The fact that Trump has any support shows how much racism still exists in the US. He has played on racial hatred and it has gotten him to be the republican candidate for president. Looks good on them.
That was kind of my point. Her “bad attitude” was cute and funny. Gabby’s is unforgivable and borderline treason.
You make a sound, sobering, somber point. I never understood the impulse to criticize this woman about anything. She’s a great champion, a strong female figure, and people–even black people–look to tear her down in order to fit in on Twitter. Twitter and Trump are the root of all evil.
–TheRealPinky
ITA. I just cannot with all the people criticizing American athletes (with the exception of Hope Solo who is awful)–their disposition, how they hold themselves, if they don’t clap when they should, if they don’t hold their hand over their heart during the anthem. JFC give it a rest already!
It’s like people can’t take one damn second to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. These athletes have literally devoted their whole lives to this moment. They are under immense pressure and are likely struggling just to stay focused, to remain in that competitive headspace. Leave them the hell alone and let them do what they do best: compete.
Yes, Hope Solo is a bag.
My theory is it’s an attempt to make ourselves feel better. “Top athletes – they’re just like us!” Because we might be petty, or depressed, or jealous, we impute those emotions to them. In truth, these are professionals who have long ago gotten over pettiness. I thought the same thing when NBC made a big deal of Phelps v. Le Clos. He’s Michael Freaking Phelps – he’s racing history and himself. He doesn’t have petty beefs.
Well, except for Solo.
So weird how this girl is being treated. I read about it in the Guardian. Utterly ridiculous!
The worst of it is that the comments did get to her, and upset her – it’s sad and infuriating.
I hope Gabby succeeds in whatever plans she has for her future – she did nothing to deserve all this hate.
She is very young yet and she needs to develop a thicker skin. She also needs to get off Twitter. That website is nothing but a troll magnet.
Meanwhile, people can support her by speaking up on her behalf. I called out a few of those trolls yesterday.
She wouldn’t have got where she is without a very thick skin – but going by what was said downthread it wasn’t just twitter, the hate struck closer to home than we think since the US team alternates were among the people liking and retweeting hateful comments about her.
And after all this, SHE is the one getting pinged for ‘not being suportive’ of her teammates? How much was one girl supposed to take?
Oh it’s not weird at all. Serena Williams gets the same kind of incessant obsessive criticism, guess what she and Gabby have in common.
+1
I did wonder if that was the subtext!
Nail on the head. +2
I feel for her. I think she is awesome!
This policing of young black girls bodies, hair, facial expressions etc needs to stop.
I was just saying to my husband last night after reading about this that it has got to get exhausting being black.
Here we have an elite black female athlete–one of the best in her field, a role model to young women of all colors and creeds, someone who has made more personal sacrifices than you or I could ever imagine to get to the Olympics and compete with the best….
..and all people can talk about is how she’s not “good enough”–not happy enough, not sweet enough, not polite enough, not BENIGN enough. I mean, give me a f*cking break already.
She just strikes me as a little more reserved and, honestly, mature than the other gymnists. People are criticising her for not jumping up and down and screaming in excitement for the others or for facial expressions and that’s just not fair because to me, it just seems like a quieter, more reserved personality. Must be hard to take and I feel badly for her.
Exactly. She just comes off as a mature and introverted person. I am in no way criticizing the other gymnasts for being girlish but I think that’s exactly what the media expects: girlish behavior and giggling over crushes in interviews and not a gymnast acting like a quiet, mature woman. Gymnastics is one of the few sports where they want “smiles” and “charm” in interviews instead of just letting the girls be athletes.
Gabby is fairly quiet and while she may have been “peppier” in 2012 she was never a super extroverted person. In addition, there’s a whole bunch of racism and sexism going on with it too.
Div@ “What the media expects: girlish behavior and giggling over crushes in interviews.” You’re completly right, it’s striking really. For example NBC is trying really hard to sell Aliya Mustafina as a diva, she doesn’t smile, blah, blah. The body policing of athletes is strong in gymnastic. Women aparently don’t have the right to control their facial expressions. For Gaby we have to had racism, of course.
She’s not ‘performing’ for the media and they don’t like that. As for her actual gymnastic performances, people criticizing her wouldn’t be able to do 1% of the training she does or have the mental strength to endure an athlete’s life. They’re pathetic for going after a hardworking, talented young black woman. They could only hope of ever being so strong and ambitious.
And she probably is more introverted/mature or however you call it but let’s not forget how she was treated when she was the darling. She knows how cruel the world can be and when the whole world is watching, you don’t want to hear the same bullshit you heard before while performing at the highest possible level. Of course you’re going to be more reserved. Is this her true personality or something she gradually grew into to protect herself…who knows? I hope she can be herself without being extremely bullied and nitpicked upon.
Once these athletes make their team, it’s like the entire country owns them. And they owe the country. Same here in Germany only on a smaller scale (we’re simply not that good). It’s ridiculous. I don’t think people understand that we as spectators will never be as sad and disappointed in a loss as they are themselves. And on our best day, we can’t do a fraction of the things they can do but apparently everyone’s a critic.
And they’re not entertainers, they’re athletes. And unless you’re a football/basketball/tennis player etc., you’re exposed to the media every 4 years, possibly more often if you’re world champion in between. They don’t have thick skin because they haven’t been able to develop it. Everyone who sh*ts on a young girl, a world class athlete, should be ashamed.
YES. So much yes to your last paragraph. I think people–Americans in particular–really lose sight of that. These people are athletes in the truest sense of the word.
Well partly she has made a decision to go into entertainment as she has a reality show about her life in the US.
Honestly not sure how I feel about this – I think she comes in for a lot of unfair criticism about her appearance – however her mother in particular is very fast to scream “bullying” and has used this several times in the past including twice as excuses for leaving gyms without paying her training fees
A-freaking-men to everything you said!
I think part of her issue, too, is resting bitch face, which she has no control over. When she’s sitting there watching, she looks disinterested whereas Laurie has resting super excited face. I’m sure they are both equally supportive and excited but it doesn’t play as well in a 2 second cutaway.
She’s been treated like Phelps’ game face is adorable, while Gabby’s is out of line in someway? They might be girls in leotards, but they are strong and determined athletes. They set high standards for themselves and when they don’t live up to it they are hard on themselves. They mentally toughen before competing, like other athletes. I think it’s unfair to expect her and others to be constantly chipper AND do these amazing physical acts.
oh dang I didn’t even think about that. Phelps’ game face is a meme. Gabby’s gets hurtful insults. That is just terrible.
I feel bad for her. She’s so talented and people are just tearing her apart.
Yeah, she seems introverted and there is nothing wrong with that. introverts are cool and that last pic is AMAZING!
It’s this kind of shit that makes it ever so clear how much more scrutiny women receive than men.
And I know a few people are gonna run in here and say things like, “Well, if RYAN LOCHTE did XYZ, I’d say the same thing!#$$!$” Maybe so, but that doesn’t disprove the big picture point that women have it harder in almost every single way. Young women are still expected by a lot of people, whether they are conscious of it or not, to look happy, to smile, to act “sweet” and grateful, at all times. It’s so goddamn infantilizing. She is an elite athlete, for god’s sake. Let her do her thing.
NOPE!!!
Phelps gets to laugh during th national anthem and he got zero sh*t over it. Gabby gets picked on over nothing.
That would be BS I have seen quite a few swimmers receive their gold and not put their hand over their hearts and mouth the words. Also, the statues they give them instead of flowers along with the medal case makes it a little awkward.
Ugh. Ryan Lochte. I get a headache when his name is mentioned.
I have had it with the self-proclaimed Patriots who harass others for not complying with their standards for how to behave patriotically while demonstrating that they are beyond ignorant as to what the standards actually are. You are not proving yourself a patriot, you are proving yourself a jingoistic moron.
1. We must stand during the National Anthem. We do NOT have to place our hands over hearts unless we are wearing a military or law enforcement uniform hat. All other hats must be removed.
2. Pledge of allegiance, hand on heart because that is part of the act of making a pledge. Also, don’t harass people in their 80s for not saying “under God.” When they learned the pledge, those words were not included.
3. I do NOT have to stand for God Bless America, America (the Beautiful), America (My Country Tis), or The Battle Hymn of the Republic.
4. I most certainly do NOT have to stand for Lee Greenwood’s jingoistic dreck “God Bless the USA”. Indeed, you should be happy I don’t toss whatever device is playing it under a hydraulic press.
5. Don’t get me started on proper flag etiquette or the inane requirement that candidates for the US presidency must wear flag pins made in China.
PREACH!! I never place my hand over my heart. I still love the US and I’m grateful to be an American. People look for any reason to start a fury and the media flames it. How horrible Gabby had to endure this as she is wrapping up her final games.
Thank you so much for all this! What next, people, loyalty oaths? Special salutes? Oh, wait, Donald Trump has that covered.
I am retrospectively uncomfortable that I had to say the Pledge of Allegiance as a school child. I couldn’t do it now. I’m a law-abiding citizen and I vote and am politically active, but hand-on-heart pledges make me deeply uncomfortable.
I also wouldn’t criticize anyone over or under 80 years of age for leaving out “under God.” That wasn’t supposed to be there in the first place, and it’s an unconstitutional intrusion of religion into national government.
When I call politicians these days, which is tons of fun, I describe myself as a “patriotic [swing state] voter.” The nerve of the right-wing to claim that they’re the only true Americans.
We had to pledge to ‘honor’ the Texas flag because you can’t pledge allegiance to both. Looking back that was odd. As well as the insistence on two flag poles because the Texas flag is the only state flag that can fly as high as the American Flag instead of below it.
I get why other countries find it so odd.
Not only over 80’s. I was nine years old when the words”under God” were added to the pledge on June 14, 1954. I refused to say it then and to this day still do. Actually, as an adult I refuse to say the pledge at all.
Oh god the flag pin. Was it 2008 that it became de facto mandatory? It’s so meaningless and yet it really does influence some voters.
I learned the pledge with ‘under god’ but when I found out later it was added as some sort of Red Scare tactic, I stopped using it.
http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1820023,00.html#ixzz2u1h721Vc
Apparently it started in the 60’s and 70’s and then after 9/11 they all had to wear them due to pulic pressure. Obama was given a hard time for debating Hillary without wearing one. The moderators even questioned him. It is very much a symbol of the ‘you are either with us or against us’ mindset.
When I mentioned people in their 80s, I was actually referring to something that happened in my family. My 87 year old great aunt lives with me. Every year on the 4th of July, there is a reenactment of the reading of the Declaration from the balcony of the Old State House in Boston (the Old State House was the seat of the British government here.) One year, I took my great aunt, who was in her late 70s at the time and her older sister, who was in her mid-80s to the ceremony. The ceremony began with a recitation of the Pledge, and these two women recited it exactly as they learned it in Catholic elementary school back in the 20s and 30s, which got the tourists near us all riled up that they left out the most important part and must be atheists or communists or something and started yelling at them. I was quite happy to inform them about the history of the pledge and that the handbag the woman was carrying appeared to have been made out of an actual flag and that was a flagrant violation of flag etiquette. She tried to counter with “but it was an old flag” and I then informed her that the proper disposal of an old flag was to burn it, not make accessories out of it. They were schooled.
Ignorant SuperPatriots make me sick. Good for you to school her.
Good for you! Patriotism and jingoism are very different things. Mind you, I personally, am not big on either. I think we should all be internationalists who love our countries because they are home but are open to understanding that nations can differ without one being better than another.
It’s weird how jingoistic attitudes manifest though. Here in Britland, millions cringe with second-hand embarrassment at seeing Americans on podiums doing the hand on heart thing. It’s excruciating that people do it in public! We like it when Bradley Wiggins crosses his eyes and pokes out his tongue cos we think that’s funny and irreverent. Yet, at the same time, we have a gazillion people who will stand in the street and wave little flags when an ancient old lady wearing a billion pound hat drives past in Cinderella’s coach. Imagine that!
I will never understand jingoism. At worst, it’s dangerous. At best, it’s plainly ridiculous.
PS and by the way:
In my spirit of internationalism, I would just like to give a big shout out to the US’s Christian Taylor, who has just won triple jump gold after also winning in London. Massive favourite in our house because he goes about encouraging and cheering on all his fellow competitors, even in the middle of competing. Brilliant role model for all athletes for sporting behaviour. And he trains here!
@Sixer, and I’m going to give a big shout out to Andy Murray for pointing out that both Williams sisters have more Olympic gold medals than he does when some journalist congratulated him for being the first tennis player with two gold medals.
Andy Murray is just about the only vocal feminist on the ATP tour and I love that grumpy man for it :p I was delighted by his repeat gold!
Lilac and Bex – that was John Inverdale. He has a name for sexism in these ‘ere parts. Everyone moans. The BBC never does ANYTHING about him. Most annoying. Good for Andy though – he set Inverdale right without even a nano-second to blink, didn’t he?
Sixer- Am I right in thinking that Inverdale is the one who made those horrendous comments about Marion Bartoli when she won Wimbledon? How he has a job still is beyond me. I saw Andy’s interview and he just calmly stated ‘Venus and Serena have four each’ without even blinking. It was wonderful 🙂
Bex – yes, you are. He has an entire back catalogue of similar, I’m afraid.
Bravo, lilac!!!!!
A thing that creeps me out is that I have noticed in recent years that several places where I hear or say the Pledge of Allegiance on a regular basis have begun running the words much closer together. You wouldn’t think it made much of a difference, but I grew up in the 80s and 90s dutifully reciting “one nation *pause* under God *pause* with liberty and justice for all.” “one nation under God *pause* with liberty and justice for all” is a VERY different feeling.
Well said, Lilacflowers, thank you. I never place my hand on my heart for the anthem either and have gotten glares from people at MLB games. Don’t get me started on “ignorant super patriots,” as Susanne Too called them.
Funny “under God” story, though. When my oldest started preschool one of the first things he learned, of course, was the Pledge. He was so proud to recite it for me. He stood there solemnly with his hand over his heart and said it perfectly, except for when he got to “under God,” he said “under dog.” It was awesome!
‘….must wear flag pins made in China’….
LOL! That says it all…..doesn’t it??
I may not have to stand or place my hand over my heart when certain “anthems” play, but I sure do have to stand up and applaud when you speak! Well done and brava!!!
–TheRealPinky
OMG that “God Bless The USA” song is the WORST SONG EVER. It’s jingoistic, ignorant and just plain obnoxious. The first time I heard it, I thought it was a joke and actually giggled at the ridiculousness of the lyrics, especially the “Where at least I know I’m free” part. To borrow from Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom: “There are 200 some-odd countries in this world and like 180 of them have freedom.”
PS, who remembers John Ashcroft’s “Let The Eagle Soar”?!?
I remember Ashcroft lost his Senate re-election bid to a dead guy. And he insisted that the Spirit of Justice be hidden behind a curtain because of her bare breast.
Honestly, I’m disgusted by the way social media has treated this young woman at Rio. One possible downside of the absolute dominance of the US gymnastics team in recent years is that some Americans seem to take the incredible talent of their gymnasts for granted, and treat them badly (especially Gabby, and I do not think for a second that her race and sex have nothing to do with it).
Like someone said over at the Guardian, Gabby Douglas has already made history. Social media trolls might have succeeded in breaking her spirit (and shame on them) but they can’t diminish her achievements.
No snark, serious question: is putting your hand over your heart EXPECTED during the national anthem? I was always taught that you put your hand over your heart during the pledge of allegiance but not the anthem. It’s not like she refused to remove a hat or something. If so, Gabby isn’t alone, a LOT of us thought just standing there was appropriate.
i think other athletes do not put their hands over their hearts. It’s noticeable at sports matches, when both teams are standing for the song. Some are standing at attention, some have their hand over their heart.
It is not required. Gabby actually did the military-style stance, since she was raised in a military family. It is acceptable to stand at attention during the National Anthem with hands at one’s sides. There is no obligation to place your hand over your heart. This is a big old-fashioned mountain from a molehill.
It is expected by jingoistic morons. You were taught correctly. The only people who should put hand over heart during the anthem are law enforcement officers and military personnel who are IN UNIFORM and wearing a hat as part of that uniform. All other hats must be removed.
This is repulsive, but unsurprising. She is a gifted athlete, hero, a role model. She is not an object that can be criticized because somebody doesn’t like its color, texture, or style.
I feel like there is a strong streak of racism and sexism in the criticism of Gabby. The public likes women to be extroverted or at the very least have a fake smile plastered on 24/7. I feel like that’s double as a black woman or man….we are always being slapped with the “angry black man/woman” stereotype unless we are constantly smiling. It’s something I’m always aware of when I am at work…that people could be stereotyping me that way (and it sucks). That “angry” stereotype is part of the basis Key and Peele’s sketch about the “anger translator” for President Obama. Gabby was clapping in the stands but because she wasn’t jumping all over the place they’ve deemed her ungrateful…such bullshit.
Also, over on one of the sub blogs of Jez a commenter said that the two alternates were apparently liking and retweeting nasty stuff about Gabby when she got the spot over them….and she had to train with those two alternates so that might have f*cked with her head and made her more introverted (and it’s perfectly okay to be introverted). Apparently McKalya Skinner’s coach had to even apologize for her comments but they hushed it up pretty good.
Edited: Also, there were plenty of white male athletes who were downright scowling and nobody gave them sh*t…because the media allowed them to be human and have an array of human reactions to a stressful, crazy competition.
Yes, racism is playing a very big part in this.
I was wondering. The expression on Gabby’s face and her reserve at showing any sign of any personality, preferences, allegiances, etc. is a sign of having been abused or harassed or just not feeling safe wherever you are. Been there. I recognize that face and the intense reserve. This breaks my heart for Gabby. She said only a little bit “i’ve been through a lot” and look what she did despite them? Way to go Gabby! Also i’m so happy her Mom spoke out for her and it was picked up widely by media. She has a good Mom. I’m so relieved about that for Gabby.
People sometimes tear down someone who is good at what they do and especially if they have a bright soul, if it’s something they wish they could do or be but know they just don’t have it.
Oh OF COURSE it’s that Boo, this is the typical bind of someone to ascends to that Level as an athlete, See Cam Newton or Sherman’s recent remarks and OJ Simpson’s Young College Interviews…The expected performance is Non threatening Neutered and pleasant
Damn smh, I hate how competition breeds not rivalry but wanting the destruction of your own fellow team mate.
It’s this type of thing that makes me believe people suck. 🙁
Gabby has earned her right to be there, she has done well there, she has represented USA with skill and incredible hard work. She can scowl, frown, be passive, quiet, whatever else she is for whatever reason, and people need to leave her alone.
Gabby has earned her success. People need to shut it if they can’t stand that this young woman is not carrying their projections for them.
Did she dance the Macarena and pull down her trousers?
Some americans are ridiculous. The way she is being treated is deplorable, especially by couch potatoes eating crisps while criticising olympians.
The visual on that last sentence is just wonderful, cheers!
All those haters should be embarrassed.
Gabby is wonderful and people need to leave her alone.
Ugh, this all made me so mad, especially knowing that these a-holes got to Gabby. Sure, it’s fine for Michael Phelps to yuck it up on the podium because his buddies yelled during the national anthem (which is also totally fine, apparently), but Gabby needs to be taken to task for not putting her hand over her heart.
I wish these patriotism police would move to North Korea, where their “talent” would be much more appreciated.
If this was a guy no one would bat an eye. Women are expected to smile and be pleasant to everyone at all times.
People Oughta be ashamed of going in on the PURE UNADULTERATED GOLD AND MULTIMEDALIST F*CKING AMERICAN TREASURE they have in Gabby Douglas, for the eff what not performing ‘Merican in the prescribed way?? Off of this incident alone (A Sh*t for Brains Pablum filled Commentariat that can shade a young ATHLETE Busting her behind performing crazy feats cause her Leave out of the Natural hair that grows in her hair is .. Unacceptable??, That Can’t accept TWO black young girls success as a Narrative, that communicates that she doesn’t do womanhood in an acceptable fashion or whatever the f*ck) WHY SHOULD SHE BE HAPPY AND PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN FFS!??!?! The fact she even has to DEFEND her Honor, HER PROVEN Record Is Absolutely Appalling and Disgraceful
(This goes for my POCs Too I saw ya’ll going in on that Child hair like our collective DEFINITELY TAUGHT internalized hate isn’t the root cause for us collectively not accepting that not all our hair types that grown naturally out of our hair is bound to be straight and pleeasingly-oh -so-easy-to manage- curly… when we shame and shade Gabby for her Naps and her kitchen we are telling on ourselves)
YES! (Especially to your last paragraph)
The attitude that only one black girl at a time is allowed to be appreciated and there can’t be two images and portrayals of black beauty and success is so evident! You even see this bull with Venus and Serena and they’re sisters!
I think heads are exploding because there are at least THREE wonderful, talented, amazing female athletes of color that are breaking down walls and barriers. Simone Biles, Simone Manuel, and Gabby Douglas are seen as threatening to some internalized status quo that these negative commentors seem to think is necessary. It’s repulsive.
Eternal… GIRLLLLL, can we do that for a second?
So Me and my sister are currently undergoing a bit of a come to Jesus moment about our hair, basically as it reflects to my Nieces ( her daughters, her oldest has this Honey colored wavy hair, that she actually hates and bemoans and it’s always fussing about ), like we’ve been having these deep chats about why were we always straightened and how come we don’t know what to do with the actual texture of our hairs (my sister just stopped all hair fussing when she got pregnant, LOL it looks amazing, but as soon as she gave birth my mom and aunt were constantly on her case about at least Texturizing it!?) or how the aim its to tame it and make it conform, It kinda occurred to me the reason why I straighten mine is ease, ease as in day to day, I prefer short haircuts but that ease comes from being a short hair child too, which was my mom’s initial Punitive measure for not liking to sit for hair styling of any kind/youre hair is much rougher than your sister type of thing? always obligated to make it lay better, to make it “pleasing”, pleasing as in my parents and their parents were Taught that whatever we come with is .. Unpleasant/difficult etc.. and well let’s just say we are both on the stages of these revelations
The criticism of her supposed lack of patriotism is coming from white Trump supporters. The harping on her hair is coming from jealous black women who should know better. One woman told me Gabby should show more self-respect by keeping her edges laid and her hair neater overall. I completely lost it. I told her she should do something about that over-processed, over-permed, zip-bang mess on top of her own head and leave Gabby’s hair alone. Her own hair probably looks like an explosion in a Brillo factory after a heavy workout.
She’s an athlete. She shouldn’t have to worry about what her hair looks like. I actually had a friend tell me I needed to put on more makeup when I run because I look like holy hell after. I’m running 5 miles in the heat. I’m not about to put on a face full of makeup because I apparently offend someone’s sensibilities with my sweaty ugliness.
After a strong round of aerobics my hair is standing every which way on top of my head and you know what? I couldn’t care less.
QQ for the gold!
*waves church hankie*
This was a pack of losers who were just waiting for the opportunity to screech at a talented Black woman. She is a crazy talented, dedicated professional and I will always HONK FOR GABBY!!
Gabby Douglas is a national treasure! This is racism, plain and simple.
And in regards to her being chosen for the 2016 team–that is what coaches are for. It’s their job. They make decisions based on many factors that we aren’t privy to. And they were right. Look how successfully Gabby has competed! It’s the Olympics, people! Racist trolls be damned, she is golden!!!
I read that she started crying after the news conference discussing the negative coverage. It’s sad that she never got the glowing coverage that Biles did, even though Douglas was the star in the London Olympics. It seems like people were actively looking for her to do wrong.
Otherwise you all said what I wanted to say.
I wouldn’t equate actual news coverage with whatever’s on twitter..I’m certainly not aware of the commentators or sports reporters saying any of this garbage. All this was news to me..but I haven’t used my twitter account in years..
It’s not just on Twitter. Bill Plaschke of the LA Times wrote a really ugly column about this last week — he couldn’t have sounded more pompous or arrogant while lecturing Gabby about slouching on the podium and needing to reflect on “what the National Anthem actually means.” It was disgusting.
Gabby deserved to be on that team. The team was decided long before Trials, which is more of a pony show than a deciding competition. After her falter on beam, Marta Koroyku considered Ashton Locklear, another UB specialist, but in the end decided on Gabby. Mykayla Skinner died beat Gabby’s AA score at Trials, but Gabby beat her iin at least two other comps in 2016. She earned her spot not because of Trials, but because of everything else she brought.
She is a great teammate and a gracious competitor, and this is BS.
Blame NBC’s Rio coverage. Every time the camera panned to her on my channel she was making sour faces in the audience and pissy. They were showing her not clapping, not standing, not smiling when her teammates were on their feet cheering Simone’s Gold and Ally’s amazing floor routine. If she was super happy for them, it certainly didn’t show in NBC’s coverage!!! I was so pissed when I saw that behavior toward her teammates, but different coverage has come out that shows she was in fact clapping, and smiling. NBC just chose to only show ‘crabby Gabby’. I was so upset she had a bad uneven bar mishap! Ugh. I think NBC just wanted a villain.
Look, but even if that was true, so what? does that deserve scorn and the things people @her with on Twitter? She doesn’t owe anyone performing happiness when probably she is naturally bummed not to be there performing as well!? Could she not have been tense? does she need to Constantly Taylor Swift it during someone else’s routine? I don’t get this at all What she “so Called” Owed us was to go do her work when she did
QQ, I didn’t say anything about having to smilie or Twitter. I’m not on Twitter. I’m talking about NBC’s coverage of her. The small fraction of moments they chose to show she wasn’t looking supportive of her teammates. Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m being honest. I was upset at first, then saw other coverage of her being fine. Blame NBC for villain coverage.
Michael Phelps makes an epic stink face at his showboating rival and he becomes an Internet hero meme. Gabby displays emotions other than rainbows and sparkles and she is a bad sport and un-American. Double standard much?
I’m sad for Gabby. It was a tough Olympics for her competitively and then on top of all that she receives all this criticism. I hope she realizes that some people are just garbage people and that she shouldn’t take this to heart.
@popup, I think if Phelps was doing that face at as a teammate won gold, he would have been raked over the coals. When NBC kept showing Gabby’s sour face it was the moments of her teams greatness. I don’t think you can compare the phelps face to this situation, if I’m being honest. I kept thinking as I was watching NBC’s coverage….omg she’s going to be torn apart for not acting happy for her team…but as other coverage ha come out she was happy for her team. NBC just chose not to show those moments.
I was so pissed and sad for her when I saw that interview with her mom and hearing that she was crying in the corner that I went on Gabby’s instagram and left a comment on the most recent picture that had been posted basically saying she’s an amazing gymnast and more importantly an amazing young woman who has nothing to prove. I was very happy to see that tons of people did the same thing…she got more than 3K comments last time I checked on just that one picture, 99.9% praising her and her accomplishments.
It’s so interesting that in America, “Home of the Free”, people are oppressed for simply not putting their hand over their heart during the playing of their National Anthem.
Sounds kind of fascist to me.
Tiny Martian – What’s even more apalling is that in the United States of America, people are still oppressed for simply the color of their skin and the texture of their hair.
As a caucasion American, I just am so disgusted and beyond outraged that this happens every day to people I know and love (and to those I don’t know and love)
Yes to both of these points.
She’s been treated horribly, and it’s not just Twitter trolls. NBC have been running with this nonsensical narrative that she didn’t really earn her spot on the team that people who don’t follow gymnastics have taken as gospel. She got her spot because she was needed on bars for the team and because she’s got a well documented history of stepping it up for major competition. She was 2nd in the world last year. She’s the first All Around champion since Nadia Comeneci to make it to another Olympics. That’s a significant achievement and it’s not been mentioned once in a broadcast. She also strikes me as a more introverted personality and NBC also don’t like either (see their disgraceful portrayal of Aliya Mustafina, an incredibly talented and determined athlete, as ‘evil Russian diva’). There’s so much sexism and racism at play here and I feel awful for her. She owes nothing to anyone.
Her teammates and USA Gymnastics actually haven’t said a word about this yet, and I really hope they do.
Unbelievable. First of all, standing at attention with your arms at your side IS acceptable. So those criticizing her should really become more familiar with what they are attempting to enforce before they do so. She wasn’t disrespectful. She didn’t turn her head or chomp on gum or talk or spit which I’ve seen many male professional athletes do DAILY with no push back.
Second of all, this woman is an Olympic Athlete, which does not translate to us dictating ***anything*** about her hair, skin, or breasts, for f*ck sake. Guess what? None of our business. Oh, and btw Ryan Lochte became a q-tip head and everyone just kind of giggled and didn’t flip out.
Yes, that’s what we do best in America: Treat women differently and rake them over the hot coles.
Personally I think when it comes to tolerating successful black women too much of this country has a Highlander attitude. “There can be only one!” In the end it’s about who gives the most FOR America. Last time it was Gabby and she was a little peach pie, this year its Simone and Gabby is relegated to the role of ABW.
The sad thing is I don’t take much enjoyment in the national adoration of Simone either because by next year when there’s a new ‘star’ every bit of coverage about her will also be negative and heart breaking.
They only love you so long as you’re winning for THEM kid, the only reason the dial flipped ever so slightly on Serena was because she kept making America the winner through her own achievements. Even then there was a level of resentment that THIS black woman could dominate the sport while all their pretty Lily white girls would lose to her. Some days the media doesn’t know whether they love her or hate her, same with the ‘fans’.
Everything you said esp, your Highlander quote. You just know they are people out there champing at the bit, waiting to knock Simone off her pedestal.
Gabby and Simone are both incredibly talented, hard working, committed young women with distinct and different personalities. Can we please let them both live?
I wish girl, it sucks too because they’re both so young and I can’t imagine it doesn’t screw with your head to do everything you can right and be criticized for all the most ridiculous offenses. Same with getting praised all over the place, I hope Simone doesn’t worry at night that she could end up being vilanized and not be sure whether to enjoy it now or toughen herself up for when the praise evaporates and she too can’t smile or frown or sit without being judged.
If her mother were to change her statement from “it’s now a national past-time to drag an incredibly talented African-American woman over nothing” to “drag an incredibly talented person over nothing” then I could agree with her statement. In case no one else is paying attention, that’s what the internet does to anyone and everyone that has a little popularity and success in their lives. People feel the need to sh*t on them, no matter what color they are. Sad!
Then you’d be incorrect. This is very much about her race.
Gabby did not “stand at attention with her arms at her sides”; she stood casually holding the Rio statue in front of her body. That’s not a criticism; just a fact. Her arms were not at her sides, they were in front of her.
Which is perfectly acceptable.
I feel so bad for her. She ‘s been getting flack every since she DE the team. As if she cannot be disappointed but still cheer for her teammates. None of that criticism came Wieber’s way in 2012. Poor Gabby was apparently crying at the press conference (towards the wall no less) and one journalist said it was hard to watch.
I’m a little sad that her teammates haven’t defended her either. It must suck to have the pinnacle of your career tarnished by internet bullies
As I mentioned above twice, and another poster did, NBC has been brutal. Shame on them. I’m not on Twitter and don’t know what was said, but Twitter is full of trolls from what I have read?? I don’t have a horse in the hand over the heart race because Indodnt see it happen. I highly doubt she was trying to be disrespectful at all. Maybe she was caught up in the moment and trying to not cry or pass out???? I do think this is comparable to Phelps hysterical laughter as he won his gold. That wasn’t a big deal so why is this??
there’s an odd/creepy preoccupation with the demeanour of female gymnasts; that they should be sweet, always smiling, agreeable little girls forever. very jon benet ramsey-esque. they are often treated like cheerleaders more than gymnasts. and anyone who doesn’t fit that exact mold gets RAKED. f-k all that paternal shit, these are incredible athletes who can behave and perform any damn way they please.
I completely agree. It’s weird that people expect these athletes to be so “pleasing and smiley” all the time. It’s a double standard to the point of being mysoginist.
Gabby has always struck me as a serious and calm person. I watched a doc about the girls recently and she just seems like the quiet one of the group, not overly effusive or bubbly. And there’s nothing wrong with that!!
It chaps my ever-loving hide how racist & sexist this BS is. No one ever talks about the male athletes looking depressed or grumpy. Somehow having the XY chromosome exempts one from having to please the world with their smile. And who the hell has the right to police their bodies & hair, etc? Infuriating!
What about attacking Hope Solo for verbally embarrassing the country with calling the Swedish team cowards. I love how she gets a pass from most.
She had the temerity to be a black woman and great, that’s what she did. You’re only allowed one, right?
This is fricking ridiculous, what she did was personal to her, she didn’t hurt anyone unlike Hope Solo who called the winning Swedish team cowards after her team loss to them. Now that is offensive and badly represents the country. I love how Twitter is attack Gabby but not Hope Solo.
I went to private school until 10th grade so I never recited the pledge of allegiance until my last two years of high school in a public school. I’m sorry if this offends anyone but I found it really weird to start off my day reciting it and I really didn’t enjoy it. I went to a bilingual French-American school for k-8th where the Pledge had no place at all so we never did it since the majority of students came from non-American households. Then I went to Catholic school where we would end our morning meetings/Assembly with prayer which I also found weird but it was a Catholic school, I had to take Christianity as a subject.
By the time I got to public school I didn’t realize the pledge was still recited. I have never liked it and have no plans to ever recite it again.
I’ll be honest & admit to thinking “A little salty eh Gabby?” while watching her watch some of her teammates compete individually. It was hard not notice the difference in body language – Laurie was jumping up and down & clapping & cheering for Simone & Aly when they won but Gabby was sitting slouched back in her chair with her legs up and her arms crossed.
The hand over the heart & the hair comments are just wrong. And I guess I’m wrong too for criticizing her body language but it was hard to not pick up on if only because Laurie was acting so differently so close to her.
Well she managed to put her hand over her heart in 2012.
I agree with you that part of the problem is that she was sitting right next to Laurie who is so bubbly, and her demeanor was definitely subdued in comparison. I get that she’s an introvert, but she knows the rules of the game, yes? She is a millionaire based on some pretty sophisticated corporate endorsements, so she understands what is expected of her. Her protests after the fact seem a little disingenuous.
Some of NBC’s coverage has been questionable, and it’s frustrating that there are no apparent consequences. Simone Biles was adopted by her grandparents at the age of two, and refers to them as her parents. Yet Trautwig repeatedly referred to them as her “grandfather and his wife”. When he was questioned on SM, he doubled down and insisted they were not her parents. The ignorance is staggering. As an adopted person I find it enraging. She calls them her parents. They are legally her parents. But NBC’s commentator feels he has the right to deny those facts. Some feel it smacks of racism.
The negative comments was akin to cyber bullying. She didn’t deserve it in 2012 nor in 2016. I say live your life, compete for the US if you desire to continue. If not, I look forward to seeing what great accomplishments you make next.
Mom, keep supporting your daughter in the way that you have.
There are more positive supporters than negative I’m sure, we just need to speak up.
Go Gabby!
These policing behavior are so discouraging. I’m an introvert at a job with extroverts, my career is pretty extrovert based. It takes so much extra energy just to seem normal to those people. I’m not going to clap excessively during “family news/celebration” and I’m not going to be happy go lucky during the forced co-worker games. My resting face is b*tch face mode and my comfort stance is to cross my arms against my chest– all of this registers to others as “salty” or “mean”. I basically have to pretend and act like a different person at work all day just to not get these types of comments, so I felt bad for Gabby b/c to me when I saw the footage, I saw a reflection of myself. She seems like a quiet person, who is in her head a lot thinking, that means sometimes her facial expressions may appear “salty”.