Gymternet Weekly: Enough is enough (May 25-31, 2020)

This week’s Gymternet Weekly centers around a pressing issue at hand in the United States.

As this post is published, gymnasts, fans, teams, and many others around the world are speaking out in solidarity with the Black community and protesting against the racial injustices they face.

We at Gymnastics Now stand for inclusion. We stand with our Black colleagues, athletes, coaches, fans, and all impacted by this senseless violence.

As a news and media outlet, it is our duty, privilege, and honor to bring you the latest headlines, stories, and more from the gymnastics world via factual reporting. When the gymternet speaks, we speak. We report and amplify those voices–all of those voices. This situation is no different.

Here’s our weekly round-up of news, videos, and more from your favorite gymnasts.

Click here to read last week’s edition, and click here for resources related to this movement.

P.S. Want to nominate a post to be considered for “Gymternet Weekly”? Email a link to [email protected]!

*Note: The following posts are just a few of the words, thoughts, and statements shared by those across the gymternet.

1. #UntilWeAllWin

View this post on Instagram

let’s all be apart of the change #untilweallwin ?

A post shared by Gabby Douglas (@gabbycvdouglas) on Jun 1, 2020 at 7:43am PDT

2. #GeorgeFloyd #AhmaudArbery #BreonnaTaylor 

View this post on Instagram

✊? Selective outrage as far as the eye can see. We’ve been fighting oppression, murder, abused in every form imaginable and discriminated against for centuries. No matter what we do or how we handle it the way we’ve been listening to the oppressors tell us how to fix what they created…. if you’re still cherry picking the “sins” of black people at this moment you’re part of the issue. That’s the privilege jumping out! Those who have been silent just remain silent, and to those who have been fighting on our side using their privilege constructively please continue to do so. We’ve tried everything and we are done taking advice on how to end the murder of our people from the murderers.

A post shared by John Orozco (@johnworozco) on May 30, 2020 at 11:14am PDT

3. We must do better.

View this post on Instagram

Our hearts ache for the hurt in our country. We must address racial prejudice and violence. We must do better. The fear and danger suffered by the Black community is real. Let’s educate, organize, and implement plans for change. #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by uclagymnastics (@uclagymnastics) on May 30, 2020 at 8:42pm PDT

4. Unrest by JaNay Honest

View this post on Instagram

•UNREST• i wrote this for @katelyn_ohashi poetry night. theme: stereotypes. #enoughisenough

A post shared by JaNay Honest (@janayhonest) on May 31, 2020 at 7:23pm PDT

5. Be part of the change you wish to see in the world. 

View this post on Instagram

I’ve sat here for hours (and days really) trying to type something. And honestly, sometimes — moments like this — it’s hard to find the right words. But I believe any words are better than silence. I’ve gotten so many messages and comments telling me I’m privileged and I don’t even know what it’s like, and quite honestly you’re right, I don’t know what it’s like. But what I do know is this must end. The hate and racism in this country must end. So please don’t ignore something that might make you uncomfortable. Speak up. Donate. Sign the petition. Be part of the change you wish to see in the world ✊?✊?✊?✊?✊?

A post shared by Nastia Liukin (@nastialiukin) on May 31, 2020 at 8:22am PDT

6. In solidarity.

View this post on Instagram

USA Gymnastics stands in solidarity with the Black community and the fight against racial injustice. Black Lives Matter. #blacklivesmatter

A post shared by USA Gymnastics (@usagym) on Jun 1, 2020 at 12:25pm PDT

7. It’s okay to feel.

View this post on Instagram

With a rainy day in Toronto… with everything going on in the world… I really got in my feels today. I couldn’t even get through this song without crying ? Just thinking about all the hurt that’s going on and how this year has seemed to come to a complete stop, I took today to really take it all in. Can you tell where my voice starts to break? ?? . . Normally I’ll keep filming until I get a good take but I couldn’t make it through today so I’m sharing the emotional take. I don’t think I’ve ever really shared a day where I’m down but it’s okay to really feel everything you are feeling and to be fully in touch with yourself. . . . #onelove #noone #ourworld

A post shared by PENG (@pengpengclee) on May 28, 2020 at 12:20pm PDT

8. I understand that I will never understand. However, I stand with you.

View this post on Instagram

i will never truly understand what it’s like to be a black person living in america. but i will do everything in my power to educate myself in order for me to have a better understanding of what the reality is like for the black community. i recognize my privilege and i will use it to stand up for those that don’t have that privilege. i am not afraid to be heard. i stand by you, i support you, and i will fight for you. also remember: just because it’s not happening to you, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. that’s what privilege is all about, use it for good. #blacklivesmatter ❤️

A post shared by savannah schoenherr (@sav.fs) on Jun 1, 2020 at 5:34pm PDT

9. …

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Alexandra Raisman (@alyraisman) on Jun 1, 2020 at 7:01am PDT

10. #TreatEveryoneEqually

View this post on Instagram

Enough is Enough. We stand with you.

A post shared by Chalk Warrior (@chalk.warrior) on Jun 1, 2020 at 2:25pm PDT

11. Please stand up.

View this post on Instagram

We are tired. We are tired of being tired. Some of y’all are shocked… its been like this, for centuries and decades and years. I could go on and on about this, but coming as a person of color, a black individual, this unfortunately is a norm for us. Those of you just sitting behind a screen and watching all of this go down and doing nothing…it’s extremely saddening and you have chosen the side of the oppressor. To my non black friends especially, use your voice, use your privilege of the literal color of your skin, educate yourself. There are many ways YOU can help. In addition, coming as the only black athlete on the US rhythmic team as well as practically in the world, I’ve noticed the community as a whole has been extremely silent. You will never understand the amount of oppression and unfairness that I had to go through from fellow teammates, coaches, traveling internationally, the federation and more, including all athletes of color in other divisions. @usagym …. your top athlete in the whole entire world, happens to be black. As a matter of fact, a lot of your top athletes are of color. Why are you not addressing this for your own athletes and supporting them right now? I spoke with several athletes, and it feels collectively as the bare minimum was done with the platform given. It is claimed USAG is all about inclusivity and diversity…. where’s the support right now. With the platform we have, which is astronomical, we should be speaking up more and helping more. “There’s a time where silence is betrayal” as Martin Luther King Jr said. It’s really time to use our voices as well as yours. Please stand up. ✊? #blacklivesmatter #blm #ripgeorgefloyd

A post shared by Stasya Generalova (@nastasya_generalova) on Jun 1, 2020 at 1:24pm PDT

12. Wise words.

View this post on Instagram

#BlackLivesMatter #AllLivesMatter

A post shared by RLB (@reissbeckford) on Jun 1, 2020 at 1:51pm PDT

13. Stronger together.

View this post on Instagram

Let’s make a change. #strongertogether #enoughisenough ?✨

A post shared by the honestlee show (@thehonestleeshow) on Jun 1, 2020 at 2:03pm PDT

14. The gymnastics community is not immune. (Click to read thread.)

I've been thinking about this a lot in response to the gymternet being appalled by their favorite athletes/teams' silence right now.

The enormity of the issue of racial injustice is overwhelming, but here are some of my thoughts on how it affects the gymnastics community. https://t.co/ygHefCF8Jv

— Deanna Hong (@DeannaHong) June 1, 2020

15. When the gymternet speaks, we speak. Click here for resources.

Enjoyed this story? Share it with your friends, and don’t forget to follow us on social!