Gabby Douglas draws fire for racism claim
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Has Gabby Douglas gone from America’s sweetheart to America’s lightning rod?
The Olympic gold medalist is under fire after she said in an interview with Oprah Winfrey that she was the victim of racism at the gym where she trained in Virginia Beach.
She told Winfrey about one incident in which a teammate at Excalibur Gymnastics told her to do something because she was their slave.
“I definitely felt isolated,” Douglas said in the interview. “I felt, ‘Why do I deserve this? Is it because I’m black?’ ”
Her former coach and others associated with Excalibur blasted the claim.
“Really, I was shocked and very hurt,” former coach Dena Walker told NewsChannel 3 in Hampton Roads.
Gustavo Moure, CEO of Excalibur, went even further, suggesting that Douglas was lying.
“I wish to defend the children that trained with her and supported her when she attacks them with these allegations,” he told E! News. “Is Gabrielle a credible person just because she is an Olympic champion? She is not giving any names or dates, leading us to believe that the accusation is fake.”
“Gabby’s remarks were hurtful and without merit,” he told GymNewstics.com. “We’ve had more African-Americans in elite and on the national team than any other gym in the country.”
Former teammates also blasted her.
“This is absolutely ridiculous,” Randy Stageburg, a former National Team member, told GymNewstics.com. “Gabby was never a victim, in fact many would say she was one of the favorites. I am not saying that she never felt bullied because when you are in a sport with a bunch of girls it is bound to happen. However, anything that she may have felt was never about race and I can assure you everyone at some point has felt bullied.
“I watched Dena open her home to Gabby, feeding her, taking her to gym, and allowing her to stay over her house whenever Gabby wanted to,” he said.
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306 comments Add your comment
stopthemorons
August 29th, 2012
11:24 am
Could her comments be because of the negative comments (heat) she received from the black community because she straightened her hair and other comments about not being ‘Black Enough’.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:25 am
I never received nor wanted one of Oprahs lame pontiacs. Besides she didnt pay for them, Pontiac did.
phyllis murray
August 29th, 2012
11:26 am
From “The Olympian Within Us” by Greg Woodburn: “The world needs us to manifest our full potential for empathy and generosity more than it needs new world records. We must seek to be not only faster but more patient, not only stronger but gentler. We must strive to not only go higher ourselves, but to bring others with us to new heights. The Olympian inside all of us represents our country and community, world and self, through the journey.”I will bring these words with me into classroom in September. Phyllis C.Murray UFT NYC Teacher
matt
August 29th, 2012
11:27 am
Accusing racisim is the same as accusing rape. It’s the same with teachers too. You only have to be accused and you are screwed.
Just because someone bullies you doesn’t mean it’s because you are black. It only becomes a racial issue when you turn it in to one.
Blacks constantly set themselves apart yet want to be accepted as equals. Calling yoursleves African Americans? Black colleges? Crying racism?
Smarter than ANY Republican
August 29th, 2012
11:28 am
WHY OH WHY do WHITE people have to start singing the infamous RACE CARD song everytime someone who is NOT white speaks on a race issue. Ms. Douglas did not say that it was because she was black but wondered if that had anything to do with it. Point blank, someone who cannot see that a black person being called a SLAVE might, just might be connected to race is THICK. People who think racism does not exist are usually in the greatest denial or are the greatest racists.
Bottom line, she spoke on an experience that happened to her. She didn’t say the gym was racist but the situation made her feel uncomfortable. Only a dimwit would berade this young girl for her experiences and thoughts…..OMG
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:28 am
Carz
August 29th, 2012
11:19 am
Agreed. I thought Gabby was beautiful, talented and intelligent. I still think so but with these comments, she has screwed the pooch. Most likely she will make the talk circuts, be seen on wheaties, cornflakes boxes then vanish into mild obscurity.
She will be only a shadow of what she couldve been, *sigh*.
2@10
August 29th, 2012
11:28 am
More BS..when will everyone stfu and get a life.
Winfrey already showed her IQ with Obama as Pres….what a joke. Thats not racist but a fact, Obama white, Bk & Arb whatever is a joke.
Kay
August 29th, 2012
11:28 am
Reading these post really gives me a good laugh, Middle and Upper Class Whites used to love Oprah before she went and did the upthinkable and endorsed our president, Now she is the reason behind our president for everything wrong in the world.Gabrielle is an intelligent young woman who gave her opinion on her experience,she never named any names, Like the old saying hit dogs holler, when you are hit with the truth, you holler the opposite.
TNT65
August 29th, 2012
11:29 am
to “stopthemorons”
Could it be that she only spoke the truth in answer to a question?
Without your slanted vision that seems to be the fact.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
11:29 am
The problem is that white people has spent 300 years of practicing to say that racism do not exist. They are upset now, because someone young, credible, famous, and in your face is saying it does exist. It is not Jesse Jackson saying it. It is not Barack Obama saying it. It is not Harold Ford saying it. It is a sixteen year old former nobody. White people have steam coming out of their ears about this, because 300 years of training is no match for this little girl. White folks refuses to let even the truth set them free.
This is a red herring. This little girl is one of the most credible public figure to face international media scrutiny in over thirty years. She is direct, quick, detailed, unscripted, and does not ramble. The media loves her, because she is a sharp shooter.
darknlovely
August 29th, 2012
11:30 am
What we are failing to realized is that this is a child, and as a child this is how she is saying she felt. We all know that children can be cruel at times, I’m sure that everyone has during their childhood has felt “isolated at some point.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:30 am
“WHY OH WHY do WHITE people have to start singing the infamous RACE CARD song everytime someone who is NOT white speaks on a race issue.”
Because its the “popular” thing to do?
Your comment proves racism exists…No need ot thank me, You’re Welcome.
Smarter than ANY Republican
August 29th, 2012
11:31 am
“It only becomes a racial issue when you turn it in to one.”
REALLY….so only if I turn it into a racial issue does it become one. So if someone says the N word to me, then it’s only bullying, not racial? And as far as calling ourselves African Americans, ummm….what should we call ourselves??? Caucasian????
Ethics Advisor
August 29th, 2012
11:31 am
Racism is and will always be with us, because of its unholy past and its future Hot Button stopping power when used to exert power. It can be contained though. When any type of media uses a story such as this one. Be strong, refuse to let it grow by not providing any comments. Without these comments, right, wrong or indifferent, the issue will be dropped; if the media finally gets it that pandering for a story causes so much pain to all people.
joe
August 29th, 2012
11:37 am
Can’t we all just get along???
Carz
August 29th, 2012
11:37 am
Why do blacks get so mad when we express our opinions. I will back people who are victims of racism. I’ll even fight for their rights. I just won’t believe every false claim. We all have opinions on truth. Who is telling the truth and who is lying. I am not always on the side of white or black , just what i think is true.
matt
August 29th, 2012
11:37 am
“Making this comment an occasion to criticize Gabby is ludicrous. She related one instance (How many times do you think she has experienced racism….thousands?) and you say SHE is racist.
It may work in you warped mind, but it is without logic, truth or compassion.”
Just because she is black she has to have experienced racism thousands of times????? THis is not the 1950s. This is exactly what I’m talking about. You think a white mechanic in Forsyth County Ga is going to refuse the business of some black patrons?!?!?!? NOT IN THIS DAY AND AGE!! The all mighty dollar speaks way too loud.
Is it not interesting that you never hear of whites, asians, hispanics and middle easterns crying racism?
RT(Riverdale)
August 29th, 2012
11:38 am
What make you think that Gabby is lying? There is racism in this country. Jessie Jackson, Al Sharpton and Oprah has nothing to do with it. You know the cause.
x- democrat
August 29th, 2012
11:39 am
@ 11:28 smarter than a republican? Yea, got to be a smart a@@ liberal Demo. The sin party anything goes.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:39 am
Stick and stones.
Words only have the power given them by the pseudo “victim”. Call me honkie, crackuh whatever ya want. Im making money, enjoying life while you whiners wallow in self-loathing.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:39 am
Stick and stones.
Words only have the power given them by the pseudo “victim”. Call me honkie, crackuh whatever ya want. Im making money, enjoying life while you whiners wallow in self-loathing.
Sandee
August 29th, 2012
11:39 am
Annie, you are simply misinformed. The information I relayed is available in YouTube videos, and straight out of the mouth of Gabby. You need only take a look at Gabby’s interviews on YouTube, done prior to the Olympics to see that her most recent allegations about her father are blatent lies.
Also, having servicemen and women in my family, I am offended by your implication that deployed service people have the ability to stay connected to their family. War is a pressure cooker and until you are a foot soldier in Afghanistan, without your iphone, wifi and other communication necessities reframe from judging his ability to contact his family. Our servicemen and women sacrifice a lot for this country so do not be so flip-it about the restraints of war.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
11:40 am
White folks are steadily waiting until all the black people get on the bus to go back to Africa. It is not going to happen, and if the bus to Lagos leaves there is still Latinos to send back to Mexico City, and after that another bus will be needed to go to Beijing, and then there will be Indians on the reservations. Where is their bus supposed to go?
Get real white folks! tackle racism among yourselves. You started it, and you have to end it. Everything the West knows about racism is a white people invention, so don’t play the feign and denial game.
Little Gabby Douglas was made to feel like a little black nothing at the gym in a racial hell hole called Virginia. Virginia….Oh, Virginia. I am not fooled by this nonsense.
matt
August 29th, 2012
11:40 am
Smarter than any Republican- I call myself a white American. Should I call myself a European American?? Or if my ancestors from 150 years ago were from Ireland shoud I call myself and Irish American????
The point is that a woman can make a claim of sexism everyday, a black person a racist issue every day etc. doesn’t mean it actually is one. And by the accusation you just made it into one.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:41 am
“Why do blacks get so mad when we express our opinions.”
Because the majority have been brainwashed by the like of Jesse and Al and are too ignorant to realize it. Ignoring them and letting them enjoy their urban mess they created is the best thing.
“YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH”.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:43 am
“Get real white folks! tackle racism among yourselves.”
Nah…its “your” obsession so you tackle it.
Jenna
August 29th, 2012
11:44 am
Anyone else notice the blandness of Oprah’s expression while Gabby is making these remarks? If she could look more bored or disinterested, I’d be amazed. Makes me wonder if even Oprah (whom I have zero love for) is uncomfortable with Gabby making vague remarks without any definitive names, dates or other specifics regarding racism. This is a very young girl that made a very poor choice in making this claim, real or not. I can see endorsement deals drying up as we speak.
The pure, unadulterated truth is that almost every person on the planet has been the victim of some form of bullying and/or other isolating incidents at some point in their lives. Is it right? Nope. But sh*t happens and there will always be jerks out there who talk smack in an effort to make themselves seem better/smarter/etc. Whether these remarks really happened or not, it’s in the past, it was young girls being jerky and it was best left back in adolescent hell. Someone should have told Gabby this.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
11:44 am
“There is just no bar in the black community.”
Im somewhat agree, however, will state there is a “bar” but its so low many cant see or find it.
See Clayton County, Cook County IL, S. Fulton, APS…the list is endless.
bigboomNY
August 29th, 2012
11:46 am
I believe her, these rednecks always over stepping their boundaries
Dawgnlex is a complete tool
August 29th, 2012
11:46 am
playing the “RACE CARD” ???? wow that’s original.
Look at the home
August 29th, 2012
11:47 am
Funny stuff. Just look to the parent(s) and family and you will understand where she learned to feel ‘isolated’.
What was even funnier is how Obama acted like this girl was the greatest of all time, even though other black American’s have won gold medals and dominated for decades. Really sickening.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
11:48 am
White folks are in deep denial about racism. That is understandable when you started an abomination that won’t go away. However, there is help. Admit that racism exists. Educate your children and your friends and family about it. Be a bulwark against racial jokes, stereotypes, prejudices, and innuendos. Take a stand against racism in all quarters where you have anything to do with it.
The more you say it don’t exist is the more you will get engulfed by it. The more fearful your communities will become. Remember; now- this is an enemy you say don’t exist, so you won’t even know when it is your own house until it eats you alive.
John in Atlanta
August 29th, 2012
11:48 am
Welcome to the powder keg of American Society. When something is said that might possibly be seen in a racial light, people scramble to the side of the issue they want to take, based on their emotions. I understand why she said what she said. I also understand (although don’t agree with) those who feel hurt by it. But a fair assessment of her statement simply shows she is VERY sensitive (perhaps overly sensitive in light of how she has been honored) to the issue – as were all those who rose up in dispute of what they THOUGHT she was implying. Perhaps it is acceptable to be black now, as long as you don’t talk about racism.
matt
August 29th, 2012
11:51 am
eazye- Uuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm how many black athletes have been given multiple chances to correct their idiotic behavior???????????? Black singers????????? Don’t even go there.
bradcarter01
August 29th, 2012
11:51 am
Blah, Blah, Blah, WHO CARES??? EVERYONE EXPERINECES RACISM IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER. GET OVER IT FOR GODS SAKE. ENough.
Smarter than ANY Republican
August 29th, 2012
11:52 am
“Hey Stupid Whites (I’m one). When, are we ever gonna learn. Blacks will rally around blacks regardless (Vick, Sheriff Elect-with 37 pending felonies in Clayton, Marion Barry, Shirley Franklin, Bill Campbell, and now Gabby).”
There is just no bar in the black community.
How in the heck do you put Gabrielle Douglas in a group with Bill Campbell and Marion Berry and Michael Vick???? A cherished Olympic Athlete????
Ummm….there is a bar in the black community. Some black people think situations are racist quicker than others, some never think its racism. Me….I KNOW racism exists, I don’t let it govern my life. I see racist situations on a daily basis. I don’t always speak on it, because that only empowers the ignorance.
“@ 11:28 smarter than a republican? Yea, got to be a smart a@@ liberal Demo. The sin party anything goes.”
Tsk, tsk…name calling rather than intelligent discussion…yep,…..I’m sure you have a valid point???? *rolls eyes*
Carz
August 29th, 2012
11:52 am
It exists, just not here, or in most sports these days.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
11:53 am
No wonder white people want more guns, because they have painted themselves in a corner- only violence, which they understand better than any one on the face of the earth, seems like a good
option for them, but it does not have to be that way. Just set fire to the racist plantation you have
built, and maintain your economic status on the basis on equanimity not on making sure that some children don’t eat.
SBinF
August 29th, 2012
11:53 am
“She is just playing the race card for attention.”
Because the Olympic gold medals and $90 mil Wheaties contract aren’t getting her enough attention.
You sir, are brilliant!
Hawks Blog Legend Worldwide Clyde
August 29th, 2012
11:54 am
A little (black) girl gives an account and she is automatically called a lie. Kids have no reason to lie but adults do. A little (white) girl would never be called lie in the media.
craig
August 29th, 2012
11:56 am
White Americans have showed through violence and intimidation their dislike for African Americans as well as other races of people. I hate it when I read articles where you white folks are bashing some other race because they speak about your ugly hearts! For the most part I believe white america is fearful of the fact that through years of persecution were still here! Not only are we still here but through our struggles we’ve gained the upper hand. Keep showing your racism and bigotry white america and we will continue to get stronger!
Sandee
August 29th, 2012
11:58 am
To Yep…Your allegations, if true, kind of brings some clarity to the fact that Gabby never visited the gym, or acknowledged their role in her success while in Virginia. Instead she went to Iowa and called herself an Iowan. I feel that there is something dysfunctional and shaddy about this family. This is the tip of the iceberg.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
12:00 pm
White folks should also realize that racism has not done much good for themselves, because it has marginalized all minorities…all minorities over whom white people invariably takes a position of unquestionable superiority. These minorities are not allowed to participate fully in this capitalist democracy, so now you have to mortgage the country to China to feed and cloth those whose education you manipulated into inferiority, whose prospects you criminalized, whose health care you denied, whose employment you terminated, and whose future you snuffed out. Then you turn around and call them welfare cheats. That is pretty dumb if you ask me- coming from white people who has always claimed to be the master race with all the genius brains.
Marie
August 29th, 2012
12:01 pm
Oprah’s network is tanking-what better way to get attention for the sinking ship?
Carz
August 29th, 2012
12:01 pm
She went to Iowa, an Oasis in the storm of racism for blacks.
Korg
August 29th, 2012
12:02 pm
I am not a racist I just do not like people color does not matter people just bitch about everything,
BUCKMASTER
August 29th, 2012
12:03 pm
As I entered the store the othe day the man behind the register quiped. “Goodmorning Cracker.” I kindly replied. “Goodmorning Negro.” Does this make us both racist.. I digress get over it people we have other things to worry about…….Bless
matt
August 29th, 2012
12:04 pm
Ramzad- your enslaved ancestors have been dead for 150 years. My ancestors who may or may not have owned a slave have also been dead for 150 years. I cannot be held responsible for their actions and I don’t owe you or your people anything other than respect, provided it’s given in return.
Football stadiums are sold out every weekend to watch predominantly black players. The vast majority of paying customers are white. Basketball is a predominanlty black sport yet PLENTY of whites attend and cheer.
Baseball needs more blacks? WHY? It is the responisbility of MLB to help with this? WHY? Is it the responsibility of the NBA to see more whites in the league? Affirmative ACtion? Really? How bout I just hire the best candidate for the job? How bout I enroll the most deserving students in my university instead of filling a quota?
Forcing people only creates more resentment.
Dwayne
August 29th, 2012
12:05 pm
I hope she uses the money she gets from endorsments and such to fix those teeth. I have not seen a bigger mouth since Carly Simons. Matter of fact, why didn’t Carly fix her teeth?
Steve
August 29th, 2012
12:05 pm
Pat@10:34AM
I’m not saying Gabby lied ( as I wasn’t there, I don’t know); but your statement “She already has all the attention, so does not nee to tell a lie to get attention” doesn’t hold water. Unfortuanately our world is full of people who will do whatever they feel is necessary to get their 15 minutes of fame.