Chicago isn't just the home of R. Kelly, Twista, and Kanye West. We can now add Shani Davis to the list of historic Black men coming from Chi-Town. That's not only because he holds the world record in the 1500-meters and Allround Points in 2005, but he has made Olympic history by becoming the first African-American to win an individual gold medal in the Winter Olympics.
Davis had fallen out with his team members over the decision to focus on his individual events first and his team second. But his focus paid off as he took the gold in the 1,000-meter speedskating race. But unfortunately many people didn't want to see Davis win the competition. In fact, he received a large amount of hate mail and negative words to his website. Words like "showboat" and "egotist" and some much uglier than those arrived in Davis' inbox.
"People saying they hoped I would fall, break my leg, using the n-word," Davis told the press. But Davis can push all the negative comments out of his mind and rejoice in the knowledge that he's done something that he's always dreamed about. He can look to the face of his mother, his #1 fan, and thank her for her time, sacrifice and support. He can look to the world and know that he's accomplished something great even coming from a place where people idolize Michael Jordon.
"Maybe I can be the Michael Jordan of speedskating," he said.
But what ever Davis decides to do with the rest of his career he can always know that he will be down on the books as the first, the ground-breaker, the pioneer, and the revolutionary. And hopefully he can inspire a new generation of youth from urban areas who are only expected to bounce a basketball to do something different and dare to dream.
Article comments
1 - Scott Butki
This is an interesting twist, coming after Gumbel's remarks about their not being many blacks in the Olympics.
Davis is black, right?
I ask because there's no photo with this.
2 - Douglas Mays
OK, my question is this: Is Shani the first black race or is he the first 'African/American' to win a meddle in the winter Olympics?
I know you don't see many black nations competing in the Winter Olympics. I remember the French hockey team having a black member once a few Olympics ago. Then the famed Jamamcain bobsled team. Irie mon! That was cool runnings. But anyway, I am wondering what the deal is.
I remember years ago Egypt had a person on the ski team. He went to school in the USA and learned to ski while he was here. I am just looking at the angle of cultures who normally do not compete in winter Olympics. It ain't a 'race card' issue.
much love,
DM
3 - John Conlin
To be more accurate I think it should be stated that Mr. Davis is the first American whose recent ancestors came from Africa to win...
Put this way, it sounds just as it should, stupid. What difference does it make where his recent ancestors came from? On that day, in that race he was the fastest individual on the ice. Good for him. I'm certain he worked his butt off to get there - regardless of his most recent ancestors.
4 - Natalie Davis
Excellent point!
The Today show dealt with this nonissue interestingly this morning: Katie Couric designated Vonetta Flowers (who won bobsled gold with a teammate in 2002) as "the first black athlete" (meaning first person of African descent ever) to win gold at a winter games and Shani Davis as "the first African-American" to win an individual gold at a winter games.
5 - YVETTE 54
CONGRAT TO SHANI, PLEASE DONT LOSE YOUR OPPORTUNITIES TO MAKE SOME ENDORSEMENT MONIES,,,,,
IT'S OK TO STAND,
6 - Scott Butki
Well, I think I heard some comment yesterday about only one person (at most) from Africa - the continent, not heritage ever winning a medal in the winter olympics.