Gabby Douglas was accused of having an attitude problem during the Summer Olympics and she feels like a young black woman shouldn’t be accused of being angry just because they aren’t keeping a smile plastered on their face.
She’s also over people obsessing over her hair.
The Huffington Post writes:
“I had take off social media before the Olympics. Then after team finals in Rio, I Googled myself and there was just so much noise,” Douglas told Teen Vogue’s editor-in-chief Elaine Welteroth. “First it started with me not having my hand over my heart, then my hair, then me not being supportive. I was like oh my God, I have no idea where this is coming from. It was hard.”
The harassment became so bad Douglas said she cried every day after practice. “People thought I was just a target,” she said. “I’m not a target, I’m a human being. I’m an athlete.”
Douglas said she wants people to understand that she’s not “Crabby Gabby” ― as Twitter bullies nicknamed her during the Olympics ― she’s a bubbly, energetic and happy person.
She explained to Welteroth:
“Going from 2012, I was this smiley, bubbly Gabby. And in 2014 to 2016, I was like, I’ll be a little more mature, a little more sass. And everyone was like, what’s wrong with her? She’s not smiling, something’s wrong. And I’m like, no, this is mature Gabby. I love to laugh, there’s nothing wrong with that. Just don’t put me in a category, you know? Let me do what I need to do out on the floor.”
A photo posted by Gabby Douglas (@gabbycvdouglas) on
This is how it is for black women. The moment we stop smiling there’s an issue and we’re considered angry. I’m glad she’s getting to the point where she no longer cares and just wants to do her.
People do the absolute most when it comes to this young lady. I think a lot of it is jealousy. She’s gorgeous and talented and they can’t stand it.
She’s so pretty.
The saddest thing is in addition to racists bashing her, black people were bashing her over her hair. We have to do better. Merry Christmas UB fam.