America has a new sweetheart and she isn't of the typical fare! Gabby Douglas won gold for the Individual All-Around at these 2012 London Olympic games. In fact, she became the first African-American Gymnast to accomplish the feat PERIOD.
Now I know, there are many of you, utterly frustrated that I am pointing this out, but here's the deal, this is one of those things, that NEEDS to be pointed out. Certain fields have far fewer variety than others, for various reasons. Gymnastics is one of those sports where not so many african-americans are drawn too or encouraged. I was basically told, gymnastics was not for me when I was a little girl,... by the gym. I was sad, but after my growth spurt, it certainly made more sense. Now I doubt they saw a growth spurt coming, but a public gymnastics facility in my opinion should never turn away a young person that wants to participate. I may not have been any good, but this wasn't a team tryout. This was a public gymnastics facility, where you pay to participate and anyone should be allowed to do so.
It's interesting, I can name only two African American female gymnasts.... Dominique Dawes and Gabby Douglas. I am positive that there are more, but they haven't reached this level which is why these two stand out. It's what makes Gabby's Individual All-Around Gold that much more important. Specifically for little black girls, there is something to be said about seeing yourself in a hero.
Gabby, like the Williams sisters represents a dream that can be attainable, no matter what that dream is. I am looking beyond athletic talents here, I am talking about any and all dreams. They represent that if you put your mind to it, you can accomplish anything. Sound familiar? It should, it's an age old saying... but sometimes the words seem to be simply that, empty letters with sound attached. But there are individuals, accomplished individuals who somehow make you feel as if there is more behind those words. Individuals who didn't come from great backgrounds, individuals who had the tables not necessarily turned in their favor. Individuals who decided, no matter what the sacrifice, I'm going to make this happen.
Who would of thought Compton could produce the greatest sister tandem the sports world has ever seen. And now there's Gabby..
Gabby Douglas... dubbed the "Flying Squirrel" because she gets RIDICULOUS height from her bar releases, her beautiful lines in her routines and a smile to match, is a thrill to watch.
She is a beautiful young lady and hopefully her Golden future is just as celebrated as those who went before her. She's already got her Wheaties box, now I want to see her on the commercial/sponsorship circuit like her predecessors.
I want Gabby to be a household name, I want her to be fawned on. I want her to get the love she deserves because she is an Olympic Champion to the highest degree. I want her poster plastered on gymnastics walls and little girls bedrooms... I want little girls to say.... "I want to be like Gabby".... I want all of this for her because, she's our Gabby, ALL of ours, and she is an especially bright golden star to young black girls all over the United States!
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