*History making gymnast Gabrielle Douglas, opens up about the journey she took to become the international icon she became over the summer.
Only 16-years-old and all of 4’11”, the black girl from Iowa discusses the sacrifices her family made to ensure her success, despite the odds in her new book, written with O’s founding editor Michelle Burford, “Grace, Gold & Glory: My Leap of Faith.”
It wasn’t all roses or even remotely pleasant for young Gabby who endured a slew of racism and ridicule from her peers.
She explains that another gymnast referred to her as a slave and describes the constant criticism people spewed about her hair during the Olympics.
In an interview with theRoot, Gabby admitted the constant badgering because of her skin was a shocker.
“No one likes to be made fun of or joked about,” she said. “I remember crying and I didn’t say anything, and I don’t recommend that. You should always tell an adult. I overcame that by relying on the Bible to encourage me and to lift me up. I knew I had a dream to follow, and I wasn’t going to let anything or anyone stop me from achieving my goals.”
Check out the full interview at theRoot.
I have much respect for Gabby Douglas and her amazing Olympic journey, however, a 16 year old doesn’t have a memoir. She has even started living yet!
She has to cash in somehow cause she’s not going to get the endorsement deals that a white or lighter skinned AA athlete would have gotten with the same or lesser accomplishments.
Stay encouraged GABBY!
While I agree with 19USMC88, “A 16y/o with a memoir? spare me . .but I also agree with Page, “hit-it-and-quit-it”. I’d think they should have her advertise A/A hair products, can you imagine? She competes in a very sweaty sport, if her perm can stand up to THAT kind of pressure, I’m gonna buy it! . . .Please don’t forget Dominique Dawes.
I think Gabrielle (don’t like Gabby) is an exception to the rule. She just made history by winning the all around title at the Olympics, the first black female to ever do so. Along with those
accomplishments, at a tender age Gabrielle has dealt with sacrifices, struggles, criticisms, and racism. Winning an all around title in a sport that is mostly dominated by whites, is like beating the odds and she did it. In my opinion this sixteen year old have a story to tell that will last a life time.
My advice to Gabrielle, don’t sweat the small stuff like her skin tone, her hair and all that other silliness, it goes with the territory of being famous. I’m so proud of Gabrielle, I wish her continued success in all her future endeavors.