Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas apologized after drawing the ire of Black Twitter for blaming her teammate Aly Raisman – and others like her – for sexual assault and harassment.
The controversy stemmed from an early Friday, Nov. 7 tweet by Raisman making it very clear that what a woman wears or how they look cannot prevent unwanted sexual advances. Raisman revealed in a recent 60 Minutes interview that former USA Gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar sexually abused her, according to Rolling Stone.
We are all in this together. If we are going to create change I need all your help. pic.twitter.com/q9d12z0KHn
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) November 17, 2017
"Women are allowed to feel sexy and comfortable in their own skin, in fact, I encourage you all to wear what you feel good in," the Olympic gold medalist wrote.
But Douglas did not entirely agree with that statement. She claimed that it is ultimately up to women to dress appropriately and "classy" so that they do not attract the wrong type of people. And soon as it was tweeted, Douglas' fate was sealed.
shocks me that I’m seeing this but it doesn’t surprise me… honestly seeing this brings me to tears bc as your teammate I expected more from you & to support her. I support you Aly ???? & all the other women out there!
STAY STRONG pic.twitter.com/CccTzhyPcb— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) November 17, 2017
Fellow teammate and gold medal-winning gymnast Simone Biles jumped in and defended Raisman from Douglas' attack. Other Twitter users called out Douglas reminding her that her teammates came to her rescue when she was attacked for not placing her hand over her heart during the national anthem.
22 is way old enough to have your own thoughts about sexual assault. Gabby, in fact, does. They clearly are just the wrong ones
— Brandon E. Patterson (@myblackmindd) November 18, 2017
Who’s to say what is inappropriate for women to wear? I️ won’t ask for me bcuz no one ever gives a fuck what men wear. But everyone (especially male) seems to have their own opinions of what is and isn’t acceptable/respectable attire for a woman. Its baffling.
— ????Earth Meets Air???? (@SprklShneGlistn) November 18, 2017
That's why her teammates didn't fuck with her in the '16 Olympics and Simone overshadowed her. Because Gabby is an over the hill bitch who resented the new girl. 7th-place-in-uneven-bars-ass-bitch.
— Shamira the First (@_ShamGod) November 17, 2017
I don't feel it's necessary to go at Gabby for her hair or her looks behind this. What she said is trash enough that that can stand alone in the drag.
— Antifa Furby ???? (@Maine_Char) November 17, 2017
After a slew of tweets challenging her statement, Douglas tried to clarify her original sentiment.
i didn’t correctly word my reply & i am deeply sorry for coming off like i don’t stand alongside my teammates. regardless of what you wear, abuse under any circumstance is never acceptable. i am WITH you. #metoo
— Gabby Douglas (@gabrielledoug) November 18, 2017
To her surprise, the apology was not enough because Twitter still could not believe what she originally stated.
And it was more than one tweet, so… pic.twitter.com/OQYG93PKk5
— Shannon Miller (@Phunky_Brewster) November 18, 2017
Unlike many here I'm not going to trash you or your achievements. You were wrong. Unfortunately you hold a view that is far too prevalent and damaging to women. The best thing you can do now is educate yourself and DO better.
— Kymberlyn A Reed (@FountainPenDiva) November 18, 2017
Although there were some willing to come to bat to Douglas, many other users hoped that this controversy will encourage her to educate herself.
