Meet the Two Moms Behind Gabby Douglas [Gabby Douglas]

Aug 3, 2012 2:05 PM  

Practically all of America is smitten with Olympic gold medalist Gabby Douglas and why the hell shouldn't we be? On the likability index, the tiny powerful gymnast is ranked somewhere between popping bubble wrap and puppy parties, so it makes sense that she's claimed our hearts and minds.

While it goes without saying that Douglas is a natural talent, it's still important that we recognize the extraordinary support system that helped to get her to where she is today — mainly, her mother Natalie Hawkins, who, hearing her daughter's pleas for a better gymnastics coach, agreed to send her to live in Des Moines, Iowa where she could work with renowned trainer Liang Chow, and Missy Parton, the Iowa woman with whom Gabby has lived for the past two years.

The two women, both having supported Douglas tremendously, have a wonderful bond. Says Hawkins to Parton, "I can't imagine her without [you] now because it really is like Mom 1 and Mom 2."

Seeing how much the mothers care for both Gabby and one another only makes Douglas' triumph in London all the more sweet.

Olympics Gymnastics Champ Gabby Douglas' Two Moms [GMA]

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Marketers Can't Wait to Use Olympic Gold Medalist Gabby Douglas to Sell Crap [Olympics]

If you're anything like me, when you watched American gymnast Gabby Douglas compete in the individual all-around finals, you had much less composure as a spectator than the eventual gold medalist did as a competitor. And when she won and waved with the poise and calm confidence of tiny American royalty, you may possibly have cried a little bit and had to take some deep breaths into a paper bag. Douglas is easy to be proud of — she's the best at what she does, she's strong in her convictions, and cute as a button. She's got more class and asskickery in one of her leotard crystals than most humans do in their entire bodies. And soon, marketers will do their darndest to harness those qualities into a Gabby Douglas-led marketing explosion. And I'll totally fall for it.

Everyone loves Gabby Douglas right now. Gabby Douglas is to American pride and solidarity what the Chick-fil-A protests are to the sort of division and discord our children will interpret as a terrible reflection of a backward time full of jerks. We want to hug Gabby Douglas. We want to hug her mom, and her host mom. We want to carry her giant backpack for her. We want our kids to want to be like her.

One media consultant notes that product hawkers have smelled the Gabby love in the air and can't wait to get their paws on her — she's "a marketers dream." He told CBS,

As a 16-year-old, she has really got kind of the sky is the limit. She brings so many intangibles that marketers look for. She's young. She's fresh. She's a new face. ... America is looking for heroes. We went into this looking for Michael Phelps and Ryan Lochte and we are going to come out of it with a new gymnastics face, and that's terrific.

Everyone's happy for this person — how can we exploit this to make money? My brain read that quote in the voice of Joe Pesci's evil character from Home Alone.

Douglas is already slated to appear on a box of Corn Flakes (which I will buy, because I still have the 1996 Magnificent Seven Wheaties box), and has already started making the talk show circuit. And other companies can't wait to put Gabby's grin next to their products. BUY THIS THING. OTHERWISE GABBY DOUGLAS WILL STOP SMILING.

Dominique Dawes, a member of the 1996 team, said she was happy for Gabby, but said it's important for young athletes suddenly thrust into the spotlight to be careful about who they choose to spend time around, and what products use their image to promote their products.

I'm not a close personal friend of Gabby Douglas, nor do I know the way she thinks, but she seems to have a good head on her shoulders. Let's hope she only lends it to selling stuff I actually need, because I could probably be convinced to buy a closet full of Gabby Douglas brand mufflers.

[CBS]

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Haters Need to Shut the Hell Up About Gabby Douglas' Hair [Gymnastics]

As of yesterday, 16-year-old Gabby Douglas is officially an Olympic gold medalist. But some people watching her compete weren't focusing on her floor exercise — they were distracted by her hair.

Monisha Randolph, who runs a blog called Sporty Afros, has been dismayed with what she's seen:

So what's the big deal about Gabby's hair? From what I am reading on Facebook and Twitter, many African American women who are SITTING and WATCHING Gabby compete believe her hair is not "kept."

She needs some gel and a brush…

Someone needs to give her a hair intervention…

She has to "represent"…

And indeed, if you search "Gabby Douglas hair" on Twitter, you get quite a few results. A tragic amount, to be honest. As Randolph writes:

Have we forgotten that Gabby is competing at Olympics XXX? This is not America's Next Top Model that we're watching. These ladies are participating in a global athletic competition. And the last time I checked when you play a sport, you sweat. I know I do. And when a Black woman who has chosen to wear her hair straight begins to sweat, her hair will (not might) begin to revert back to its natural coily, curly, or kinky state. Does Gabby need to stop every five minutes to check her hair? No. When one experiences back-to-back intense workouts, that person learns what works best on their hair.

Randolph also points out: "A large number of Black women do not work out because of their beloved hairstyle. This is so sad and this is why Sporty Afros was created. We are here to help women with their workout hair care solutions and crush excuses such as 'I can't workout because of my hair.'"

Recently, a New York magazine writer called investing in the Naturally Curly website a "dumb" idea. This sparked a backlash; and as the blogger behind Black Girl With Long Hair writes, "I think there are people both within and outside of the black community who are still ignorant about the increasing influence of textured/natural hair on media, business and culture." There have also been controversies surrounding the hairstyles of First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters. (Even a Photoshopped mock-up of Michelle Obama with natural hair sparked a shitstorm of controversy.)

The point is that hair — black hair, especially — remains a hot-button issue. Hair is political, laden with subtext and meaning. Curly, textured hair — the kind a lot of black people have — is often called "wild." Straight hair — the kind a lot of white people have — is considered "polished" and "professional." We live in a culture where white people think it's okay to touch black people's hair. (It's not, FYI.) But for an athlete, the best hairstyle is the kind that lets you accomplish your goals. Even if she never won anything, her life is about her strength, flexibility and tumbling ability — not to mention dedication and focus. What's in her head, not what grows out of it. But since Gabby Douglas's hair did not stand in the way of a gold medal, it should be a non-issue.

Luckily, those critiquing Douglas's hair have drawn out voices of reason. There's a backlash, with many on Twitter defending the gymnast and scolding detractors:

A Black woman slandered Gabby Douglas, claiming 'she needs to get a perm first'. A 16 yr old repping THE COUNTRY & your focus is her hair?

Talking about Gabby Douglas' hair? At least it's hers. You got yours from one of Britain's Equestrian horses.

Gabby Douglas can fix her hair. Some of yall can fix yourselves and your lack of aspirations/accomplishments at 20 something.

Gabby Douglas is competing on a Gold Winning Team not a hair show. #KnockItOff

Gabby Douglas got real hair and real Olympic. All y'all got is weaves and envy.

Monisha's Minute: The Gabby Douglas Hair Controversy…Unwrapped [Sporty Afros]

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