Really appreciated the interview MHP and her daughter Parker had with Gabby Douglas. It was a smart move to get another young black pre-teenage girl interview Gabby, ask the quesitons that are dear to young girls, and receive the answers straight from Gabby herself. Thanks Melissa, Parker, and Gabby. You all did us proud today.
I’ll have to buy Gabby’s book. It looks like a pretty good read.
Yes this was a good interview.
This made me smile on so many levels.
As a longtime fan of women’s gymnastics, I never thought Dominique Dawes got her ‘ due’ for her performance at the Atlanta Olympics. I have always been thankful that the First Lady brought Dominique into the fold as she went forth with Let’s Move.
Then, to watch Gabrielle Douglas, who nobody gave any credit to…to come up and not only help lead the TEAM to Gold, but also get that INDIVIDUAL GOLD, by LEADING FROM BEGINNING TO END….was just so incredibly satisfying. This poised, intelligent young lady who had the courage to leave her home and go to IOWA of all places to train…and to just let her own talent and determination see her through to the Gold Medal Stand.
They tried to come down on her for being HONEST about the racism and bullying that she experienced. That she should just be ‘ quiet’ about it, and be ‘ grateful’ for what she accomplished – like she didn’t earn it. Like telling her story wouldn’t help other little Black girls, telling them about folks telling a CHILD that she should get a NOSE JOB, instead of being proud of her ethnic features. That she would have been told this is ridiculous.
Seeing that poised young Parker, talking to poised Gabrielle Douglas, was a testament to BLACK MOTHERHOOD- both Melissa and Gabrielle’s mother.
STAND UP TO A BULLY!
Bullying can happen anywhere and to anyone. Get the information that you need to help stop bullying at school, online, and in the community.
Bullying is unwanted, aggressive behavior that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behavior is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumors, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.
Cyberbullying is bullying that takes place using electronic technology. Examples of cyberbullying include mean text messages or emails, rumors sent by email or posted on social networking sites.
http://www.stopbullying.gov/what-is-bullying/index.html
Heartbreaking: 10-year-old Jasmine McClain Hangs Herself Over Bullying
http://www.clutchmagonline.com/2011/11/heartbreaking-10-year-old-jasmine-mcclain-hangs-herself-over-bullying/
While many see bullying as an adolescent rite of passage, for those who suffer through it, it’s almost unbearable. Over the past few years we’ve heard about several children and teens committing suicide because they couldn’t cope with the emotional trauma of being bullied.
Last week, Ashlynn Conner–a 5th grader from Illinois–was buried after she committed suicide, and in the same week, another 10-year-old, Jasmine McClain, took her own life because she was being bullied.
Jasmine McClain hung herself and died in her mother’s arms after incessant bullying in her North Carolina school. Jasmine’s mother, Samantha West, says her daughter was “sweet and loving” and she had no clue her child was under so much emotional distress.
Thanks for sharing this. Gabby’s an inspriation to black girls everywhere. And Parker, there’s only the best yet to come for her.
Awwwww! Young Miss Parker is a doll!
How utterly DIVINE was this segment?
So much that could be said, but all I could do was just smile.
Take your time, Rik. We know you’ve got something sublime to say. Do share when you can. I loved how Gabby handled that question on the “mean girl/ bullying” question. It could not have been easy for her, and yet she triumped.
A blessing for someone as young as Gabby to talk about her FAITH.
This was wonderful! Good for Parker! Good advice about standing up to a bully.
Go, Gabby Douglas! Go, Parker!
Right on, SG2. There will be NO BULLYING of 3 CHICS!