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Black child gymnast being overlooked in medal ceremony?

301 replies

Loopylooni · 24/09/2023 10:39

Anyone else horrified at this?

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12554637/Gymnastics-Ireland-embroiled-racism-row-young-black-competitor-skipped-medal-ceremony-Olympic-champion-Simone-Biles-condemns-heartbreaking-incident.html#comments

Gymnastics Ireland in racism row after girl skipped in medal ceremony

Olympic champion Simone Biles condemned the 'heartbreaking' incident and said she had sent a video of support to the young girl after her parents reached out to her.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-12554637/Gymnastics-Ireland-embroiled-racism-row-young-black-competitor-skipped-medal-ceremony-Olympic-champion-Simone-Biles-condemns-heartbreaking-incident.html#comments

OP posts:
Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 27/09/2023 20:46

I can't even watch that video.

Evil bastards all who treat someone differently based on the colour of their skin, especially children

Oioicaptain · 27/09/2023 21:00

I'm not convinced that it was necessarily deliberate. I don't think that anyone would have the brass neck to deliberately exclude a black child in front of an audience like that and on film. I could be wrong. However, it may well be racist insofar as the woman overlooked her because she didn't compute that the girl was a gymnast. She may well have unintentionally overlooked her and the girl's skin colour may well have been the cause. What I find more astonishing is the amount of photographers and other staff who failed to notice. I also wonder where the member of staff thought that the extra medal came from. It's not nice to watch.

Myfabby · 27/09/2023 21:16

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

fske1717 · 27/09/2023 21:30

Of course it wasn't deliberate, this whole discussion is completely ridiculous. She got overlooked and the medal was given to her at the end. Honestly if that's the worst thing that ever happens to you in life then you've been pretty fortunate

Myfabby · 27/09/2023 21:38

fske1717 · 27/09/2023 21:30

Of course it wasn't deliberate, this whole discussion is completely ridiculous. She got overlooked and the medal was given to her at the end. Honestly if that's the worst thing that ever happens to you in life then you've been pretty fortunate

if you're going to name change, be smart enough to not use the same words

deliberate
overlooked
fortunate

Vintagecreamandcottagepie · 27/09/2023 21:45

This is going to be my last comment on this thread.

You have a problem. Whether it's one poster or a couple bothering to come on and excuse this behaviour, I feel deeply sorry for you.

You lack humanity.

That people like you are out there is terrifying.

November2024Mummy · 27/09/2023 21:58

fske1717 · 27/09/2023 21:30

Of course it wasn't deliberate, this whole discussion is completely ridiculous. She got overlooked and the medal was given to her at the end. Honestly if that's the worst thing that ever happens to you in life then you've been pretty fortunate

Ughhhh just no

Cherrythomasina · 27/09/2023 23:13

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

I haven't name changed if that's what you're implying. I am reporting this to MN and hopefully they will clarify that for you.

Cherrythomasina · 27/09/2023 23:56

Also, I don't agree at all with what@fske1717 said.

SammyScrounge · 28/09/2023 01:19

Oioicaptain · 27/09/2023 21:00

I'm not convinced that it was necessarily deliberate. I don't think that anyone would have the brass neck to deliberately exclude a black child in front of an audience like that and on film. I could be wrong. However, it may well be racist insofar as the woman overlooked her because she didn't compute that the girl was a gymnast. She may well have unintentionally overlooked her and the girl's skin colour may well have been the cause. What I find more astonishing is the amount of photographers and other staff who failed to notice. I also wonder where the member of staff thought that the extra medal came from. It's not nice to watch.

I'm not convinced either. The little girls weren't standing in a straight line. There is almost a second line behind the first and the black child is standing a little bit back. This may have caused some confusion about who was next to get her medal.
The alternative explanation of racism is too horrible to contemplate when you see the little girl's big happy smile.
The problem is easily solved for the future - the children should be lined up then called forward one by one to collect their medals.

Oliotya · 28/09/2023 07:19

SammyScrounge · 28/09/2023 01:19

I'm not convinced either. The little girls weren't standing in a straight line. There is almost a second line behind the first and the black child is standing a little bit back. This may have caused some confusion about who was next to get her medal.
The alternative explanation of racism is too horrible to contemplate when you see the little girl's big happy smile.
The problem is easily solved for the future - the children should be lined up then called forward one by one to collect their medals.

The children were stood in a line on a blue mat. There is an entirely separate line of children stood on a separate blue mat further back. There's no possibility for confusion.

So many (apparently different posters) keen to explain away racism as being "too horribe to contemplate". Absolutely nuts. Start contemplating.

Myfabby · 28/09/2023 08:28

Oliotya · 28/09/2023 07:19

The children were stood in a line on a blue mat. There is an entirely separate line of children stood on a separate blue mat further back. There's no possibility for confusion.

So many (apparently different posters) keen to explain away racism as being "too horribe to contemplate". Absolutely nuts. Start contemplating.

so see through- it's the same poster 😂.

very amusing that they'd resort to this and quote themselves

but the excuse is no longer overlooking, its that the girl was on an imaginary line in between the 1st and second row

racist and dumb. what a combo.

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:15

It WAS racist, not being able to contemplate it because it’s too sad is probably why not a single adult stepped in for the girl, did that help her? No. This is just another form of ignorance wrapped up in pretending to care. It’s actually cruel.

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:23

@fske1717 it won’t be the worst thing though will it. It will be a long line of out right racism and subtle racism that black and brown people have to face every single day! “It’s nothing”, “it’s too awful to contemplate so it can’t be real” blah blah blah. You’re all here though aren’t you, trying to explain it away. It must suck that these attitudes and gaslighting used to work so well, just aren’t flying anymore. Anti racists will keep pushing back. Even when you claim “it was an accident”, “you’re bullying me”, “why are you so angry”, “let’s agree to disagree”. Nope - this IS racism and if you’re not against it then you’re complicit and you know you are or you wouldn’t even be here.

Cherrythomasina · 28/09/2023 09:25

Myfabby · 28/09/2023 08:28

so see through- it's the same poster 😂.

very amusing that they'd resort to this and quote themselves

but the excuse is no longer overlooking, its that the girl was on an imaginary line in between the 1st and second row

racist and dumb. what a combo.

@Myfabby
If you look back you'll see that MNHQ has deleted your last post accusing me of name changing. You'd think that might have given you the hint that it's not all the same poster here, but apparently not. If you could direct your remarks only to the poster who made them that would be appreciated.
I'm not going to report this one as I'd like others to be aware of how misguided some of your accusations are.

@SammyScrounge I believe the girls were standing in a straight line.That seems clear from the video evidence.

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:37

Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race, Reni Eddo - Lodge.

White fragility- why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism, Robin DiAngelo.

Natives, Akala.

Unconcious Bias - everything you need to know about our own hidden prejudices, Annie Burdick.

Instagram account- whyisthatracist

For those of you that claim you’re here because you care but can’t possibly imagine people being racist. These suggestions may help you if you’re open to learning.

Myfabby · 28/09/2023 09:43

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:37

Why I’m no longer talking to white people about race, Reni Eddo - Lodge.

White fragility- why it’s so hard for white people to talk about racism, Robin DiAngelo.

Natives, Akala.

Unconcious Bias - everything you need to know about our own hidden prejudices, Annie Burdick.

Instagram account- whyisthatracist

For those of you that claim you’re here because you care but can’t possibly imagine people being racist. These suggestions may help you if you’re open to learning.

Thanks. great list. didn't know the insta page- will check it out. Sadly the list is wasted on gas lighters excusing racism.

their victories are getting mumsnet to delete posts. lol. still won't engage.

very sad life. i'd really hate to be that sort of person and/or the people she's recruited to say skipping a little black girl is overlooking and they are not convinced it's not racist.

Cherrythomasina · 28/09/2023 09:46

I'm glad to see you've included information on unconscious bias @Kjo1977.Others on here unfortunately don't believe in it so thanks for that.

Cherrythomasina · 28/09/2023 09:51

And just to reiterate before I get jumped on again, unconscious bias/racism is still racism and is deplorable.

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:51

Thanks, they’re pissed because this crap used to work. I’m light skinned, mixed Jamaican and English. I hear all the shit this lot say behind closed doors. The amount of time I’ve been asked not to respond to racism or when I’ve been in a room where a racist remark has been made- a friend or relative would be like “don’t make them feel embarrassed by telling them your mixed”. Disgusting racist comments made at a hen do “she didn’t mean it”, “she didn’t know you were mixed” - don’t say anything, it will make everyone feel awkward. I could go on and on and on. You’re brought up to laugh it off or rise above it and leave it alone and that’s just me- who gets a fair amount of white privelege. This “accident” is just another form of “calm down, I’m sure she didn’t mean it”- always from the “experts” in how racism works apparently, white people. I’d say in the last few years there’s been a huge shift and ALL racism is getting called out and it makes people uncomfortable.

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:54

Is it that they don’t believe in it or don’t believe in it in this particular case? Having lived it, made the effort to learn about, this situation is absolutely in no way a case of unconscious bias. In fact, it’s much more on the “outright racist” scale, although the lady believes she’s being subtle.

Cherrythomasina · 28/09/2023 09:54

I'm very sorry you've experienced all that @Kjo1977.

Cherrythomasina · 28/09/2023 10:15

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 09:54

Is it that they don’t believe in it or don’t believe in it in this particular case? Having lived it, made the effort to learn about, this situation is absolutely in no way a case of unconscious bias. In fact, it’s much more on the “outright racist” scale, although the lady believes she’s being subtle.

I don't know how she could think she was being subtle though? It was in no way subtle, quite the opposite.
The only reason I thought it might have been subconscious racism (again, equally bad) is because it was so obvious. I thought a person wouldn't behave so obnoxiously when they knew they were being watched and filmed because there might be repercussions - as indeed there were in this case. I found it hard to believe someone would openly self sabotage in that way even if they were racist.
A pp thought similarly (no, that wasn't me.)

It's not that I don't believe in racism - of course I do, of course - and I am really sorry for what that little girl experienced. And I was only guessing about the unconscious bit. Maybe you're right and it was deliberate, cold and calculated. I'm not a mind-reader and though I can see what happened I don't know the official 's thoughts. So I don't know for sure whether it was unconscious or deliberate racism . You say you do know because of your lived experience and I understand that and believe that's a very valid point.

Oliotya · 28/09/2023 10:44

Cherrythomasina · 28/09/2023 10:15

I don't know how she could think she was being subtle though? It was in no way subtle, quite the opposite.
The only reason I thought it might have been subconscious racism (again, equally bad) is because it was so obvious. I thought a person wouldn't behave so obnoxiously when they knew they were being watched and filmed because there might be repercussions - as indeed there were in this case. I found it hard to believe someone would openly self sabotage in that way even if they were racist.
A pp thought similarly (no, that wasn't me.)

It's not that I don't believe in racism - of course I do, of course - and I am really sorry for what that little girl experienced. And I was only guessing about the unconscious bit. Maybe you're right and it was deliberate, cold and calculated. I'm not a mind-reader and though I can see what happened I don't know the official 's thoughts. So I don't know for sure whether it was unconscious or deliberate racism . You say you do know because of your lived experience and I understand that and believe that's a very valid point.

Unconscious bias is not a synonym for subtle or accidental.
Overt, deliberate racism isn't necessarily a series of independent choices. It's often so ingrained that the individual doesn't even think about what they're doing or how it might look. This is not the same thing as unconscious bias.

Kjo1977 · 28/09/2023 11:14

Just to add. She may think it’s not so obvious because she’s got away with similar behaviour before. It’s so easy, if you get caught out, just say it was an accident- everyone has to accept that. And that’s what happened. Until now, now people are saying “I know what racism looks like and that’s racism” - treat it that way. We’re leaning much more towards making people responsible for their actions. Much like if a man inappropriately brushed up against a woman at work, they used to be to get away with claiming it an accident if someone pulled them up on it. The emphasis is now on them to be more aware, to be responsible for their actions and know they will be held to account rather than picking apart whether they meant it or not. This is the future of how racism will be treated - no ifs or buts, simply- that’s a form of racism, this is how it’s going to be dealt with.