I am so elated and overjoyed about Gabby Douglas’ win last night, becoming only the fourth American (young…she is only 16) woman and the first Black American (young) woman to win the Olympic all-around title in Gymnastics. She joins the ranks of Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin.
She also won gold with the team (called the Fab Five) in the team finals.
Two gold medals aren’t shabby at all!
And, despite the sometimes questionable, sometimes White privilege-tainted, and sometimes straight up bigoted media coverage (which MANY bloggers on Tumblr and elsewhere have articulated on SO WELL, including Crunk Feminist Collective, which truly comforted me in knowing that I am not the only one who clearly sees this) that she has had in the traditional media, including both print and television, she is a CHAMPION.
Despite a few Black people being more concerned about dead protein (her hair…all hair is) than her physical ability, mental acumen and strategy, hard work ethic, poise, grace and passion, she is a CHAMPION.
As I said on Twitter:
Black hair has history/politics, but sometimes it really needs to just be dead protein. Messy hair is not like a bad heart valve or cancer.
— Trudy (@thetrudz) August 3, 2012
Despite people (including the supposed sports commentators themselves…they’ve been truly disgusting at NBC) who really wanted this for Jordyn Weiber and no one else on that team, she is a CHAMPION.
Despite any of the negative framing by the media, negative words—any of that…it doesn’t matter. She exudes EXCELLENCE. She embodies success. SHE IS A CHAMPION.
Do you Gabby! We will sit back here so so proud…filled with so much awe and love for you.
