Source: Sean M. Haffey / Getty
It seems that social media bullying of public figures is a new trend, and it needs to stop. A few weeks ago, actress Leslie Jones was bullied on twitter so much so, that she left the social media platform for a while. Two-time Olympian, Gabby Douglas, is the latest victim of online bullying. Social media bullies have attacked Douglas for no reason, on numerous occasions, during her run at the 2016 Rio games.
Douglas was asked about the social media bullying, and she stated, “I tried to stay off the internet because there’s just so much negativity.” She continued, “Either it was about my hair, or my hand not over my heart, [on the medal podium] or I look depressed… It was hurtful. It was hurtful. It was. It’s been kind of a lot to deal with.”
The 20-year-old Olympian received backlash after team U.S.A. took the podium during their all-around gold medal ceremony, where Douglas stood at attention rather than putting her hand over her heart. Douglas later explained that she grew up in a military family, and she always stood at attention. She says the way she stood doesn’t mean she is less patriotic.
Natalie Hawkins, Douglas’ mother, stated, “You name it, she got trampled.” Hawkins continued, “What did she ever do to anyone?”
Douglas was also criticized after viewers thought she looked as if she wasn’t supportive of her teammates, Simone Biles and Aly Raisman, during the individual all-around medal competition. Douglas defended herself against the criticism stating, “I love them … I always supported them.” Biles and Raisman also spoke up and said the team is like family that supports one another.
Hopefully the hate towards Douglas stops soon. Unfortunately, we will most likely see social media bullying happen more and more since the different platforms make it so easy to connect with celebrities and athletes. Read more on the story here and here.
