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
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
1:22 pm
Who Cares:
I am also recognizing that you are almost illiterate. I made a mistake by responding to you. It would be helpful if you showed more functional intelligence. No wonder you had to run for your gun. That’s all you can depend on. Hope no one had moved it when you have a crisis and need it.
cleopheous
August 29th, 2012
1:24 pm
trained like a good little democrat to always be the victim, boycott anything she endorses
reality
August 29th, 2012
1:24 pm
matt
hard work is rewarded
quit whinning and complaining just because you did not make an effort to improve your lifestyle.ask people in sports,white or black.
it is caused using your god given talent and being rewarded for it through hard work.
tiger woods picked up golf at age 4.kobe,labron james started at age 5
stop being jealous of others and make something of your life
sj
August 29th, 2012
1:25 pm
Oprah may still be PO’ed because of her waste-of-taxpayer’s money trip to Europe with our dear leader after the 2008 election. Remember when the two Big O’s flew over there to convince the olympic committee to hold the next scheduled olympics in Chicagoland? They came away totally embarassed and empty handed…. At least that group of white Europeans saw the ‘king who had no clothes’ in his true costume….The only legititamate games Chicago can host are drive by shootings, black street rage and primitive antisocial behavior.
just sayin
August 29th, 2012
1:26 pm
Ask any white HS kid who tries out for basketball, and you will find that black players are more likely to make the team, when talent is equal, especially if the coach is black.
That’s why you see more white high schoolers going for lacrosse and soccer
Racism cuts both ways
just sayin
August 29th, 2012
1:28 pm
Ask any white HS kid who tries out for basketball, and you will find that black players are more likely to make the team, when talent is equal, especially if the coach is black.
That’s why you see more white high schoolers going for lacrosse and soccer
Racism cuts both ways, as I, part Native American have also been discriminated against!
Don Abernethy
August 29th, 2012
1:28 pm
I don’t think we need her at UGA if she is a racist.
reality
August 29th, 2012
1:30 pm
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
1:22 pm
just like who cares i have a 44
come to my house if youwant something for nothing also
Jeannie
August 29th, 2012
1:30 pm
She’s a filthy liar
Thomas
August 29th, 2012
1:32 pm
Nothing worse in a time of deception than telling the truth… the small truth that we are in fact NOT post-racial society, and racism exists…. it’s VIRGINIA people….
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
1:32 pm
Reality:
You, too, need to put down your gun and get you an education. You might find that you learn to think your way out of things and not have to shoot your way out.
sj
August 29th, 2012
1:32 pm
I am confused…she won her gold medal, right? I thought a victim was some one whp lost something because of an injustice. Maybe she has another agenda… Seems she is trying to establish her black identity and credibility…kinda like gold teefs, tats and prison time.
Ken Stallings
August 29th, 2012
1:34 pm
Someone saying something racial is not racism. And therefore what is actual racism did not happen to this athlete. This athlete was given every opportunity and she did extremely well with those opportunities. Her success is why she was embraced.
This is why it is so very disappointing to again see someone conditioned and encouraged to wallow in the mud. Oprah Winfrey’s network is struggling and I have little doubt she encouraged this precisely to score a media impact — precisely to draw increased ratings to keep her network alive.
In other words, once again someone uses race to make money. When I think about all the people who sacrificed life and limb to put this nation on the path of human equality, it angers me deeply to see money merchants like Winfrey so callously exploit a situation and frame it in a manner it does not deserve.
It just causes anger, frustration, and hurt. And for what? For money! Anyone willing — indeed even desirous — to trade money for all these negative emotions in society is someone who should be shunned.
sj
August 29th, 2012
1:35 pm
If I say diet Coke is black is that hate speech?
sj
August 29th, 2012
1:39 pm
If I say I don’t like diet Coke (now remember it is black) is that hate speech?
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
1:39 pm
Understand this. The offical end to racism will come when the black communty say it will.
I learned long ago its easier to convince a 4 year old that candy is bad for them than it is to bother with logic when conversing with most blacks.
Save your breath, make some cash, and enjoy!!!
Thomas
August 29th, 2012
1:40 pm
We can’t even have real conversations about race because everybody is so dang sensitive.
Thomas
August 29th, 2012
1:41 pm
JuneBug….. Me saying racism is over won’t stop this KKK rally from happening down the street.
harold
August 29th, 2012
1:41 pm
Here we go again…THE RACE CARD.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
1:45 pm
Thanks for the confirmation.
wow
August 29th, 2012
1:46 pm
Why is it when a person speaks out about a racist act that has happen in their life others get their feeling hurt or defensive and attempt to attack an entire race of people. It reminds me of when a child has done something wrong and when its mentioned they get defensive. I think some of us habor guilty feeling for the wrong that was done in this country in the past by someone ancestors.Maybe if we put it in the history books like we put the wrong doing of other countries, then it wouldn’t be so hard to deal with. Many of us are in denial if they think it does not happen, or that everytime someone tells a truthful story about racism their playing the “race card”. (who invented that term probably someone who never experienced racism) The child was just telling the truth and that is something that some of us can’t handle in this great country that we share.
To “Just saying”: you might consider getting you hair pulled by a few black girls racism, but how about getting shot, or hung for looking at a white woman, getting told you can’t do something because of your color, being denied a job before the interview. I know some of that is in the past but I’m “just saying”
bradcarter01
August 29th, 2012
1:48 pm
Why is it that the blacks are the ONLY minority group in this country who have NEVER elevated themselves? They get free college, free money, free jobs, etc., yet they still complain. How did the Vietnamese, Koreans, Chinese, Mexicans, etc. start buying property, house, opening businesses and black people just complain about something that happend 200 years ago???? The answer is WORK. Black people have been conditioned to sit on their butts, complain about racism, and then get another check from the gov. EBT is a prime example.
Rodster
August 29th, 2012
1:53 pm
Typical. But really Gabby. What do gain from this “I’m a victim” thing? You were already on top of the world. I’m guessing it was coached by Oprah’s people. Future coaches and sponsors will definitely think twice about trusting her.
Mike
August 29th, 2012
1:58 pm
Why are folks claiming Gabby played the race card? It’s my understanding that the phrase “play the race card” infers that race is used to gain an advantage. What advantage did this young lady gain by divulging this information? I saw another comment on this board where the person said that she did it to get attention. Really? Could she get any more attention than she was already getting due to her success at the Olympics?
Based on the history of this country, what Gabby is saying is altogether likely to be true. The reaction of the gym owner only makes it appear more true. Gymnastics is another one of those sports that Caucasians are not happy to see blacks take part in (BMX, NASCAR, etc. also fall in this category – though I don’t really consider them sports). Of course, they will cheer you when you have success, but they don’t really want you there. White folks need to stop pretending like racism doesn’t exist. There are many who have faced what Gabby faced and do not have the platform to bring it to light.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
2:01 pm
“Black people have been conditioned”
Kindve like Pavlovs dog.
travis
August 29th, 2012
2:02 pm
i’m so sick of black people pulling the race card for everything. to add to this i’m also tired of hearing and seeing african american. if you were born in america you are an american. you don’t constantly hear about other X-americans unless you were born in another country and moved here. if you’re so happy about being from africa, you could just move back since these people seem to think it’s so great there.
Carz
August 29th, 2012
2:05 pm
We know racism exists. We just know when it is BS.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
2:06 pm
White folks can continue to deny that racism exists. It will not matter when we are all working for the Chinese. It is not an accident that so many white people are running into buildings and shooting everybody in sight. The writing is beginning to show up on the wall.
racecard
August 29th, 2012
2:08 pm
oprah — race card gets viewers—keep more of the same
It's rather obvious...
August 29th, 2012
2:09 pm
The school is trying spin control to avoid possible sit-ins and marches from the local NAACP.
That’s all it is. Nothing more.
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
2:11 pm
Is the NAACP a racist organization? Hmmmm…
Truthspoken
August 29th, 2012
2:16 pm
I experienced racism from white kids at my private school every day growing up. I was the only black in my whole middle school. I didn’t run home and tell my parents, friends, or really anyone. I kept it all inside. Just because you do not immediately tell others doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. Did the principle know? Did the teachers? Maybe or maybe not. I never told them. Gabby’s reality is not some of your. Neither is mine. Her saying what happened to her does not make it a lie or anything else. Just because the coach wasn’t aware does not mean it didn’t happen. Matter of fact, he or she not know makes it all more real to me. I’m just talking from my own experience. America is a trip. Just because she won gold doesn’t make Gabby immune to racism. Geez…Wouldn’t that be nice!
Danny
August 29th, 2012
2:18 pm
Of course. Whenever you call an ahole and ahole, they will never say “Your are right!”. They will always act “shocked and appalled”.
The internet is the most truthful place when it comes to people true feelings because they can say whatever without a backlash! Put a face on it they will deny.
Alcoholics deny that they are Alcoholics, Criminals deny that they did the crime even though they were caught on tape, A liar will never say they are a liar. So what’s new?
RBJR
August 29th, 2012
2:22 pm
I cannot believe that because Gabby mentioned/claimed that a remark was made to her that it has triggered so many racist remarks and hatred to one another! The majority of the responses have gone way off the mark from what the article was actually about. I do believe the remark was made but as a 14-15 year old you don’t know what to think or take away from the remark unless you were raised/lived in that type of environment. I have a daughter and I can tell you by listening to her young ladies and/or women for that matter say and do mean things to each other for if no other reason just to prove a point to their friends. As a young child living in the South I experienced lots of racism which is what I now know it was but back then I thought it’s just the norm and how people treated me. I still encounter racism and racist ideology but I do not feed into it. I have better thing to do with my time. I will at times provide a CIVILIZED input and leave it at that. Racism will be around long after most of us are gone…it’s how we handle the racist situations that we are confronted with that will be a solution. In other words when you hear it leave! Don’t entice the situation because that is what many people want whether your white and black. This commentary is a good example…the comments drew you in and many forgot to comment on the article itself and started the racist comments on one another. Gabby will go on with her life as she should and everyone else in these postings will be pissed! Gabby will indeed learn from this interview on the do’s and don’ts of interview etiquette. She needs to be taught that interviewers will suck you in if you are not careful and fully understand the questions. To Gabby’s mom and manager’s please “do more for her than take her money..TEACH her!” OBTW people keep mentioning Jesse J., Al S., Rush L.etc…these individuals do not nor will ever speak on my behalf or reflect my beliefs!
BMliston
August 29th, 2012
2:22 pm
Ok somewhere these idiots did not really read WHAT she said. She doesn’t have to name freakin names #teamnosnitching for your benefit. I am quite sure she has experienced snide racist remarks, becuase come on people VA is still racially divided as is America in whole. So stop acting like just because Black folks can vote and go to SOME places that everything is hunk dory. She said someone told her she was their slave and that she questioned certain instances which maybe she was chastised whereas someone of another color was overlooked or not chastised. As a Black person that is what we will think because you know what it is historically and look at the racist isht going on now since Obama is in office.
Get your heads out the sand, years and years of injustices and still there are great injustices against people of color. It exists cause some (from having generations of like confederate minds or color issues) won’t let the isht go! No, she didn’t like the Black joke you kept onlaughing. Yeah, she denied the “because your Black is why they let you”, comments to keep achieving her goal of becoming that Girl of the Olympics.
Black people perservere bacause we half to yet still have to defend ourselves to this day against ignorance.
Get over yourselves! Freedom of speech ,thats her story. You got your thing she has her. Now let her live without the nitpicking and drama, especially about the race issue-it’s still live and so kicking in the USofA
sharon
August 29th, 2012
2:24 pm
Some of you people on here are real scary!!!!! I hope and pray none of you ever sit on a jury. Most of these comments are downright irrational. This young lady simply answered a question that was asked of her and now you all want to crucify her. OMG. Sandee how in the h_ll do you know what kind of father Gabby has? How is saying he was never around throwing him under the bus? Damn the child can’t be honest. It was only a matter of time before reporters found this out. I’m glad she beat them to it. And to the people who are bringing the President into this, are you kidding me? This article is about Gabby Douglass. Find another way to deal with your obsession over the President.
LoudMouth
August 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
The reactions by the trainer and CEO suggest that they are combative and insincere. It makes sense that they would facilitate a harsh and unfair environment.
I will not watch ‘Excalibur’ again, and I am cancelling my subscription to Cinemax.
RAMZAD
August 29th, 2012
2:25 pm
White people continue to believe that segregating from black people is the answer. They continue to tell their children that black people are not good people and not to associate with them. They continue to support and indulge in racist gossip, jokes, news, and propaganda about black people in the home and the work place.
This is a self defeating strategy, however, because how is the child going to respond to his first black employee or supervisor or teacher. There is just no way out for racists- black or white. The Romans invented racism, and the world is waiting for the Romans to dismantle racism. Until then we stay at each others throats with knives sharpened back and front.
DR Murphy
August 29th, 2012
2:29 pm
And racism is not passed on to manny chilrden,she told the truth,to bad many black americans dont expose there racial encounters,ive encounterd this behavior from a white co worker in kennesaw georgia,i told him loud and clear,dont you ever talk to me like im a slave,you have to set those people straight,gabby should of stood up for herself,and tell the coach she was defending herself.
Sash
August 29th, 2012
2:30 pm
So now they’re throwing peanuts at a black CNN camera woman at the GOP convention yelling “This how we feed the animals.” Who is playing the race card? Racism is alive and at the convention.
chuck
August 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
Cancel the endorsements because she just lost her credibility.
Atlanta Nastive
August 29th, 2012
2:31 pm
It was ONE incident. Hey, someone yelled “HEY, JEW” to me in elementary school and just because the teacher wasn’t around when it happened and not every classmate was within earshot doesn’t mean it didn’t happen!!! (Sorry for the double negatives.) The “former” coaches and others who were not around are dissing her unfairly. They should say instead, “Gosh, if that happened, I’m so sorry. This is not the policy of the gym or the team and I’m so glad Gabby overcame bullying to become a gold medalist.”
Down with Auburn
August 29th, 2012
2:32 pm
The race debate never ends. It’s convenient for “African-Americans” to blame white people for their travails while forgetting that many so called “white people” are Jews who have been persecuted for centuries, Native Americans who had their land pillaged by others, Irish-Americans who were treated worse than dirt by others, etc. etc. It’s not just your people who have been wronged in history, folks. At a certain point our ancestors picked THEMSELVES up by their bootstraps and made lemonade out of lemons. Grow up.
uncle tom
August 29th, 2012
2:35 pm
Racism does not apply.This is a case of blackism.If you ism then you is.So pass the pork chops and shut up…….
not again
August 29th, 2012
2:39 pm
People need to learn the definition of racism….”racist” is so overused today, it’s as if the boy who cried wolf too many times.
DR Murphy
August 29th, 2012
2:42 pm
gabby told the truth,many whites still live in the past,in there mines black will always be slaves,they get a taste of thier own medicien when they go overseas,lots of french,italians,germans,and britians,dislike whites from the states,prime example romney insulted the prime minister asking if london was ready,the priminister made a fool out of him in front of millions,and the french yes they hate white americans,because they come to france exspecting them to speak english to them,insulting,your in there country you better learn some french or go home.good job gabby your ok dont feel bad look at serena williams lots of white americans hate her,86 k fine for challenging a call,makenrow had many out burst and never paid a dime,why i guess hes white
JuneBug
August 29th, 2012
2:44 pm
“White people continue to believe that segregating from black people is the answer”
The black community segregates itself.
Ms Black America
NAACP
African Americans
Soul Train Awards
Just to name a few…the list goes on and on. Now enjoy the community “you” created.
NEXT!
Bob Leblah
August 29th, 2012
2:44 pm
Oh my god someone called her a name (alledgedly!). How did she ever recover, my gosh.
In other news, 3 more white Ga Tech students were mugged……
malcolm hutchins
August 29th, 2012
2:45 pm
The ignorance of it is unfortunately, whites dont understand racism cause they have never felt the sting of it, nor know the subtleness that it can be done in! it still exist today! And for those crying about the race card your the same individuals that do it and dont even realize what your doing! Im sure she has experienced it on some levels!!!
RGB
August 29th, 2012
2:45 pm
Everyone should read dmr’s post @ 10:25 a.m.
It indeed is another case of “The Little Boy that Cried Wolf”.
In the Africanized American community, race trumps everything. Race is a meal ticket with no credit limit and no expiration date–but the end of that is approaching rapidly.