In the wake of the #MeToo movement and the new culture of unmasking sexual assaulters, Olympic gymnast Aly Raisman came forward with her own story of sexual assault at the hands of former US Gymnastic doctor Dr. Larry Nassar. Raisman alleged that the abuse began when she was 13-years-old, and 140+ other women came forward with their own accusations against Nassar. He is currently in Michigan on trial for the serious accounts of abuse leveled against him and awaiting a federal sentence on child pornography charges.
Unfortunately, Raisman’s former Olympic teammate Gabby Douglas decided to weigh in on the allegations, sending out a tweet that read as a serious case of victim blaming, saying “however it is our responsibility as women to dress modestly and be classy. dressing in a provocative/sexual way entices the wrong crowd.” While Douglas deleted the tweet, their teammate Simone Biles screenshot it and sent out a blistering rebuttal.
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
After Douglas hit send, Twitter was deeply frustrated, tweeting out their disapproval and attempts to educate Douglas on the realities of sexual assault.
https://twitter.com/gettinnoticedmo/status/931682574728028161
Me seeing Gabby Douglas' tweet about dressing modestly to Aly Raisman as she opens up being molested by the team doctor. pic.twitter.com/Ax9lThGiEi
— Rhiannon Walker (@InstantRHIplay) November 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/quinncy/status/931681925227352064
https://twitter.com/DrTGIF/status/931682473188175872
Not only was Gabby Douglas tweet insensitive, she just insulted thousands of rape victims! It's NEVER the victims fault. pic.twitter.com/DLHGgQ6rW9
— That’s So Alex 𐚁 (@DreamOfTy_) November 18, 2017
All I have to say about this Gabby Douglas thing is:
Ladies, if you saw a grown man butt naked walking down the street, how many of you would run over and rape him?
THAT'S how little attire actually has to do with rape. Rapists rape people, not outfits.
— Jenny (@ncsujen) November 18, 2017
Gabby Douglas. What the hell are you doing? You're an Olympic champion and role model for girls.
Now you'll be known as another moron who shames sexual abuse victims like Aly Raisman. Glad Simone Biles checked you.Ugh! So disappointed in Gabby. pic.twitter.com/YX5IqV1p4u
— nicki 🌊 (@nickiknowsnada) November 18, 2017
gabby douglas, we were literally rooting for you
— Joel D. Anderson 🆓 (@byjoelanderson) November 18, 2017
No Gabby Douglas @gabrielledoug, it is the responsibility of men to keep their damn hands to themselves. Shame on you. pic.twitter.com/BLeewH4ExP
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) November 18, 2017
Gabby Douglas: maybe you’re in the wrong for dressing provocatively
Simone Biles: pic.twitter.com/l1xIl32z4X
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 18, 2017
Gabby Douglas using Aly Raisman’s brave decision to come out against a sexual predator to speak on “dressing modestly.”…🤦🏾♀️ pic.twitter.com/DgeLSRRDdJ
— 👸🏾L E A👸🏾 (@_MissLeandra) November 17, 2017
Everyone @ Gabby Douglas pic.twitter.com/sRPwJWtKnY
— briana 👽💫♒︎ (@mhysabri) November 17, 2017
*sees why Gabby Douglas is trending* pic.twitter.com/hb5aYoF2IB
— Andrew Hammond (@ahammALDC) November 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/dwtsfishovskiy/status/931647764592775168
After the controversy began to take over the Twittersphere, Douglas apologized for the tweet, claiming that she misspoke.
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
Douglas seems to have learned from the encounter, so instead of “canceling” her, perhaps this should be treated as a teachable moment.
(Via Sports Illustrated)
