It is hard to imagine some people have spent this much time talking about Gabby's hair !!

So true, Kurt. There are no words to describe how happy I am that no one was pointing a camera at my hair throughout this stinker of a summer.

I agree wholeheartedly with the foregoing editorial. Shame of the detractors....none of which has an ounce of courage or good will.....Fox News included and the Des Moines Register....

Ok can somebody explain in more detail the controversy. I happen to agree the uniforms should be more in your face American but that is an Olympic committee decision isn't it? As far as commenting on hair that is just stupid and I am sure ignored by almost everyone but now I am curious what exactly was said about hair?

People are too small minded. How Gabby, or anyone, for that matter, does their hair is no one's business but their own.

Complaining about Gabby's hair? Why don't they complain about the swimmers' hair -- it's all wet and totally unkempt in those medal ceremonies... No one gets after the bicyclists for having helmet head. Athletes really shouldn't have to worry about looking like models when they're competing. I'm proud of all of them, regardless of what their hair or uniforms look like.

It's important to identify her as an African-American, first because that's what she is and secondly because her presence at the top of gymnastics gives hope to other black girls who often see negative media portrayal of themselves and her presence, as a black girl in the sport, encourages others, but likely especially other black girls to participate.

Great letter, Beth. Worrying about this beautiful, trailblazing young ladys's hair during the Olympics disgusts me and so many others.

What's her hair *supposed* to look like? She's flying through the air fer chrissakes. And the Fox News anchors can go jump in a lake. Sniping from the sidelines while athletes show their "exceptionalism" by winning. Sheesh.

I am here in Virginia and I have absolutely fallen in love with Iowa(ins) and Gabby's host family. I know it must have been hard for Gabby's Mom to let her go but in doing so she gave America an opportunity to see unconditional love and the Love of Christ in its' finest form. What an amazing story This Gabrielle Douglas story is and what amazing people Iowa(ians) are. God Bless you all and this article further lifted my heart. Praise Jesus.

Btw. As far as I can tell fox news never said anything about her hair. Shepherd Smith said he thought their uniforms could be more patriotic, in which i think he was referrring to the us olympic committees choice, but the hair thing was strictly a Facebook twitter phenomenon until espn picked it up.

Dana,
Do you know that for a fact, could she be Jamaican American, or Haitian American or maybe her family came from a European country. Part of the problem with race relations in the us is this insistence on defining people by their differences. I don't see many Asians define themselves generally as Chinese Americans or Korean Americans but rather as Americans. As far as other black girls do you really believe that they don't know what her heritage is without pointing it out every time her name is mentioned? Identifying yourself as a hyphenated American seems to purposely set oneself apart and different than just an American.

Thankfully, Troy, no one has the power to name us anymore. We have the power to decide what we are to be called. We don't have to, as black people or African-Americans, be likened to any other group present in America, like you mentioned, because our history in this country is vastly different than theirs. White people can no longer tell us what to call ourselves or define who we are. So if we say we are black or African-American, I guess you will have to take our word for it.
Gabby Douglas hails from Virginia. She goes down in history as a highly celebrated African-American gymnastic legend because she is the first African-American to win an all-around title. That's that history will say. You don't have the power to reframe her identity. Just like our President self-identifies as a black man, no one else has the power to change that. The real question is why does us also holding Gabby Douglas up as a black hero make anyone uncomfortable? That does not take away anyone else’s right to cheer for her.
I am an American. But, I'm an African-American woman who is very aware of and proud of my family and my ancestors. Our history as blacks in America is filled with a special brand of tragedy and triumph. But, I find it puzzling that people somehow want us to always downplay our heritage or downplay our historical ties. No one else is asked to or expected to do that.
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As blacks, we have had many barriers to achievement in this country due to a myriad of factors. When someone as awesome as Gabby Douglas breaks through those barriers, it's inspiring to all of us who can see another roadblock fall. Somewhere, Troy, there are young blacks girls who watched the Olympics and finally saw someone who looked like them on that that beam, floor and podium - and they saw her win and bedazzle - and it gave life to their own dreams. The door has opened a little wider for them in gymnastics and the world because of Gabby Douglas. Watch and see.

Dana, eloquently stated. Thank you.

Dana, thank you for putting my thoughts and feelings into words.

Dana,
I am sorry you feel that way. White people, as you like to define us, have as myriad a background as blacks in this country. I suppose using your nomenclature I am a European-American or more specifically an Irish-American. Neither I nor my ancestors have ever tried to define who or what you are but my point still stands by defining yourselves by your differences you just perpetuate those differences. It is not the fact she identifies as black or the president identifies as black, that is a racial fact it is the African-American I take issue with. I celebrate the fact that she is a black woman who has succeeded, it does not make me uncomfortable. I am proud that our country did not let the fact that Obama is black keep him from being elected. It shows that Americans have risen past the race relations of the past. No one else is expected or asked to downplay there heritage because there heritage is not brought up by them whether that be Korean, Chinese, Peurto Rican, Mexican, Columbian, etc. But hey continue to identify however you will, I and everyone else who watched her outstanding performance was proud she was an American who happens to be black. I just hope that someday you are comfortable not having to define yourself as a hyphenated American.

Sigh. We don't just "happen to be black." Our blackness is not some ink that we can wash off, it's not something we hang up and leave at the door when we go home. It's not something that America can erase in her "melting pot" and centuries of trying. No matter how much better it would make you feel if it were so.

Then Dana there is no hope if you feel that way. I can no more change the history of your race than I can change the history of the Irish. With that attitude I guess blacks will always feel different than any other race in the U.S. but that is your burden because all I can do is treat all people equally. As long as I treat everyone the same I have no guilt or obligation to do more. I hope someday you no longer feel that way.

I appreciate this conversation we are having. I’m not sure how progress can be made either until people stop trying to stipulate who we are as African-Americans. I know I have never tried to "name" another group of people and debate what they should be allowed to call themselves. I haven't had that luxury.

You couldn't be more wrong in your perceptions. But I'll say it yet again: I am proud to be an African-American and to consider Gabby Douglas as a black role model. I'm burdened that you believe I ever said otherwise.

No doubt President Obama designed the Americans' Olympic uniforms in his spare time just so he could dis American exceptionalism.