Gabby Thomas, an Olympic gold medalist and Harvard graduate, recently faced online backlash from MAGA supporters questioning the legitimacy of her Ivy League education. The controversy began after she shared a courtside photo from the WNBA’s 3×3 Unrivaled league, leading to a wave of racist remarks.
One user on X mocked her intelligence, prompting Thomas to respond, “You’re probably right, darn my Harvard degree.” The hostility escalated, with commenters insisting her admission and diploma were undeserved because she is Black. Thomas addressed the racism directly, writing, “Today, on Jan 26, 2025, there are hundreds of people commenting on my Twitter page that specifically because I am Black, they must assume I did not earn my admission into Harvard nor did I earn my diploma. Is this real life??”
Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian defended Thomas, dismissing critics as “Clowns, not people.” Others pointed out the broader implications of attacks on accomplished Black professionals, with one user noting, “With the DEI out the window, every non-white hiring will be perceived as a DEI hire.”
Thomas’ academic credentials are undeniable. A 2019 Harvard graduate in neurobiology and global health, she later earned a master’s in epidemiology from the University of Texas. She set eight track records at Harvard while excelling in her studies. Neuroscience professor Ryan Draft praised her as an exceptional student-athlete, stating, “To see a person excel at the highest level in academics and athletics is truly unbelievable.”
Meanwhile, Thomas is also dealing with a terrifying stalking situation. In a TikTok video, she revealed being followed by a group of men who somehow access her private flight details. “They show up either at the front door of the airport, at the correct concourse, or they show up at my gate,” she explained, adding that they get aggressive when she refuses to sign stacks of photos. Fellow athletes Coco Gauff and Simone Biles expressed similar concerns, with Biles commenting, “No same, I’m horrified of them.”
Despite these challenges, Thomas remains focused on her career. She made history in Paris, winning gold in the 200-meter dash, 4×100 relay, and 4×400 relay, becoming only the fifth woman to achieve this feat at a single Olympics.
Link: Atlanta Black Star
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