Gym Denies Gabby Douglas' Racism Claims: Who Do You Believe?

Touchy subject here. On the one hand I see no reason to believe Gabby is lying, but on the other ignorant kids are probably the ones who made these statements in jest so what do you do?
Racism is not exclusive to one group. Whites, Blacks, Chinese, Mexicans... Whichever group you want to think of even Jews all have their racist moments, or even eras. The real question is whether or not it was said in jest and if so some people need to learn to have a thicker skin, while others need to learn a little sensitivity.
Black people were murdered, raped and enslaved for hundreds of years in this country, so a little sensitivity to that may not be asking too much.

I am white, and my entire first 7 years of school from Kindergarten to 6th grade, I was only one of two white kids in a class of almost 35 kids!!! We got picked on and many racist remarks were made my entire young life!! Then in Jr High and high school where it was more 50/50, blacks, again, were the racist ones. So save the whole blacks are victims in the race issue. Whites are more victims of it this day and age. Blacks even have laws requiring them to be hired whether they are qualified or not!

I can't argue with that. I have witness it but I did defend the kids when I could. One was my best friend Buster Foster. So I understand.

Now as far as getting a job when your not qualified is a myth. Also I have trained many white managers who haven't had a clue how to perform the job. Were excellent at delegating work. So I witness the good old boy network in action.

You think the "good old boy" network doesn't exist when companies are required to have blacks or asians or Latinos as managers or hiring managers?? Take a look around..minorities hire their own. Whites now have embraced hiring people on their merits. When are minorities going to do the same?? I don't think ever.

Yeah (but there's a but as well) because even in this day and age so called friends and people who hang around you say mindless things about your colour... or blacks... for example my friend who is white had on a hoodie and put the hood up and our so called mutual ???friend said in disgust don't put your hood up they a black, they them blacks out there... another person i know who is white is married to an Indian guy, says when she is on the phone when she says her new last name now an Indian name she notices a completely different response than when she says her English name and not a good response. Or people just say darkie comments and stuff. I just think though that instead of Gabby mentioning it world wide she should have taken it up with her coaches and support staff around her and nipped it in the bud. And guys yes there are still people out there who are racist but if it is not race it would be something else we just have to manage it effectively nip it in the bud and not winge about it.

the Gym is better

Blacks have a history of calling everything they don't like towards them as racially motivated. The race card is old, please give it a rest. Sick of it.

yeah but there are still some racist people out there its just the law of averages really..... but the race card is tiring......

I feel the same way about the white people. Everyone is a socialist even Jesus.

she just wants attention.

I've seen more institutionalized, mindless racism in my life than most people want to believe.

I tend to believe the athlete herself with her own words. white ppl will lie until the day they die. They start racism and then state it doesn't exist. Was the coach there when she was receiving this horrible treatment from these savages? I don't think so. AND why would she lie. She already has the medal. You go girl!!!! I believe Gabby's own words.

More my life and hard times, sorry, not buying it.

I have seen too many minorities lie about being treated improperly, and make up stories to cause a stir. Cannot believe nor disbelieve.

I definitely believe the Gym. I'm tired of the racist song and dance at every turn. Think about it........at least over 80% of athletes are black. Black would be the Gym's bread & butter. If making racist remarks were true they'd have been out of business long ago. The claim brings in pity and publicity.......so yes, she does have reason to make the claim if it isn't true.

80% is actually not a real number. Maybe that is the number in basketball but that is about it. In pro football, blacks make up only 65% of the rosters of NFL teams, which is actually quite a bit. Hey I think im going to cry racism!!! We have a country that is 70% white, how does this happen?? You ever notice no one stands up for white people being disproportionately effected???

Oh yes Jason, I most certainly do notice that!!!!!!! Here's just one example...... When Clinton was president, some big rich black woman got up on stage with Clinton and stated that she was donating millions to a scholarship fund for black students. There stood Clinton clapping for her along with the audience. If a white person got up there and donated millions to a scholarship fund for exclusively white students there would have been a civil riot started!!! Why is what's good for the goose not good for the gander as well???? This is a good example of how crying racism works in regards to the gym incident. If a caucasian tried to cry the same thing everyone would just laugh so don't even bother trying. lol

Of course the gym will deny it.

"No man is a devil in his own mind"

-James Baldwin

I believe her.

I do not know what to believe here. I doubt she would lie, but members of a gym do not represent the gym, and if this is what really happened those members should be thrown out on their backwoods, ignorant asses.

Teenagers being stupid, competitive teenagers. I think this most likely occurred

Gabby is too good for these people. Can she scrape the bar? yes. And she can do more than that: win an Olympic medal, because she OWNS the bar.

I believe Gabby. This is strictly a PR move and not the truth, If they came out and said, "Yeah there was bullying and racism going on and we are a bunch of bigots.", the gym would close due to a lack of attendance because people wouldn't go to that gym. Why don't they let a major network TV news crew come and interview some people, including some of the kids, one on one, if they are telling the truth.

I'm kind of leaning towards Gabby's side. Sure she could be making it up- but why lie? And then the gym could lie, but then at the same time, they might not be. With racism debates like this, you never know who's telling the truth without physical proof.

Of course I would believe Gabby Douglas.

What reason does she have to lie? None.

What reason does the gym have to lie? Many reasons.

Love it!!!!

Why would she make these things up? She is famous, a gold metalist and popular. It would be down right stupid for her to say these things if it wasn't true. Let's face it. The world is full of bigots who like no one but their own race. Six million Jews were killed for no reason other than hate. Heck religions which are suppose to give glory to God are used for hate and killings and wars. So yes I believe her.

Well said : )

I can't think of one motive for the kid to lie. And I can think of a defensive motive to protect their monetary investment for those in the Gym to lie.

Someone doesn't have any thing to do.

It is fashionable to claim being bullied and she was probably told to she that besides how many people know where Virginia Beach is?

I do.... o.o I used to go there as a kid when I was in America during the summer.

sometimes you wonder - there are those that think California is made up of San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles

everyone i know

I hope the girls will give her an apology

Of course the gym will deny it. The thing is kids will be kids and if someone is better they will do their best to bring them down to their level.
Thankfully she went to Des Moines and got into a gym and a family that actually taught and nurtured her. She did a great job at the Olympics and I'm very happy she got the All Around. She well deserved it.
As for the rest of the team, That Gold Medal is in the hands of a wonderful bunch of kids that worked their butts off. Great going for all.