Gabby Douglas – A Class Act!

My wife and I were cheering on Gabby Douglas and so glad to see her win.  Oddly enough, just after she won, my wife asked, “Do you think she is the first African-American to win gymnastics?”  I thought about it, but didn’t know.  I seriously don’t look at people and think about their race.  Especially not Americans, we are all such a mixed lot anyway.  The American Kennel Club would classify us as mixed or mutts, not one race or another.  I know I have people of all colors in my family.

Sure enough, Bob Costas comes on a few minutes later and says, “She is the first African-American to win gold in gymnastics.  Hopefully, she will encourage other African-American girls to get involved in gymnastics.”

I was glad in a way, and upset in another.  For instance, though I disagree with Obama’s politics, I am glad America voted in a black President.  I voted for a black President eight years before that – Alan Keyes, he just didn’t win the primary despite my very important support.  🙂  I am also glad that someone so cool, perky and Christian as Gabby Douglas will inspire others.

The downside is that we still look at people and talk about their color.  I wish no one noticed.  I wish they were just people.  Here is my hope for a future in which no one ever has to say this is the first time a “insert race” has done “insert anything.”  Martin Luther King, Jr. is a hero of mine for wanting us to examine people for the content of their character not the color of their skin.  I hope we can get to that point.  I know people like to make themselves feel better by claiming superiority over others, but one day I hope we can grown up.

I could not be happier that Gabby Douglas won the gold medal after all her hard work and the long support and sacrifice of her family to get her there.  She was a class act.  No ugly tweets, no unsportsmanlike behavior, no doping with performance drugs.  She has a wonderful smile, personality and outlook.  As a Christian I was very happy to see her give thanks to God in front of the world, unashamed to be a believer.  Increasingly, believers are portrayed as out of touch and stupid.  I think Gabby Douglas not only represented the United States, not only represented young girls of all races, but also represented a person of faith admirably.

I hope she has a long, prosperous and happy life ahead of her.  Congratulations Gabby Douglas!