Black Fact #1: Debra Janine “Debi” Thomas became the first African American to win the United States National Ladies’ Figure Skating title, 1986 #blacksky #blackfacts #blackhistorymonth #BHM - ThreadSky

itscoolthough.bsky.social • 22 days ago

Black Fact #1:
Debra Janine “Debi” Thomas became the first African American to win the United States National Ladies’ Figure Skating title, 1986

#blacksky #blackfacts #blackhistorymonth #BHM

Comments

judy2ca.bsky.social•21 days ago

She was a gorgeous skater and so wonderful to watch!!

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

Truly she was!

bsjcr.bsky.social•22 days ago

And she went on to become an orthopedic surgeon.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

That's so fascinating. Love that for her 👏🏾

wosat.bsky.social•22 days ago

We can celebrate Black History here. I wonder if states will offer celebrations.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Definitely celebrating here!

halfpint.bsky.social•22 days ago

I remember her

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Phenomenal talent 👏🏾

webpuppy45.bsky.social•22 days ago

After skating, she went on to med school and a residency in orthopedic surgery.

webpuppy45.bsky.social•22 days ago

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debi_Thomas

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Thanks for adding the link!

binnska.bsky.social•22 days ago

I remember being a little kid just absolutely dazzled by her. Thanks for the wonderful reminder!

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Right! I thought I was gonna be her when i grew up

princefan-1.bsky.social•22 days ago

I remember n was very proud of her.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Inspiration for a generation 🥰

princefan-1.bsky.social•22 days ago

Very much so

kiananyasha.bsky.social•21 days ago

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Get it free on Kindle Unlimited:

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#BlackGirlMagic #BlackHistoryMonth

bougiesince1983.bsky.social•21 days ago

✊🏽✊🏽

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

🫱🏽‍🫲🏿

evebaby24.bsky.social•22 days ago

Thanks for the reminder. She was awesome!

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

She really was!

amberbrainz.bsky.social•21 days ago

She was an amazing skater and the figure skating world still hasn't done the introspection to look around and think "hmmm I wonder why we don't have more talented black skaters".

I know the answer because it's the same now as it was back then.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

Good ole fashioned racism

ttrueman.bsky.social•22 days ago

And the first thought we have, glancing at this pic as we scroll down, is of the young skaters murdered by Musk and Trump. Blessings to Debi and all black Americans. #BLM #Antifa #resistance https://trueman-triola.stories.email/

farside314.bsky.social•21 days ago

...best support of a Really Good outfit goes to...(envelope)...Her! (claps)...

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

Yasss for the fashion!

waitingfortheday.bsky.social•22 days ago

She was the bomb!

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

She really was... such an interesting woman!

jlhudson.bsky.social•21 days ago

I loved watching Debi Thomas!

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

Me too ♥️

anav-77.bsky.social•21 days ago

I saw her. She was great!

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

She was... super talented!

ide1.bsky.social•21 days ago

Loved watching her skate

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

It was something to see ♥️

jwfrancesca.bsky.social•22 days ago

I remember watching her skate.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

She was great!

v3ndettaval.bsky.social•22 days ago

I remember her well 🔥 I was so happy for her 🖤

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

She's amazing 👏🏾

belnot.bsky.social•22 days ago

💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

♥️♥️

andybolton.bsky.social•22 days ago

Shit, I hope things have improved for her in the last decade?

forthelongtermgood.bsky.social•21 days ago

Hooray, it looks like she’s recovering!

https://www.nbcsports.com/olympics/news/debi-thomas-figure-skating

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

We love a recovery story ❤️

andybolton.bsky.social•21 days ago

That’s great news. ❤️

7isamagicnumber.bsky.social•21 days ago

Regression to the average.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Same, she's an amazing talent but has faced some unfortunate circumstances

andybolton.bsky.social•22 days ago

That’s awful. ❤️

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

It is but prayerfully she's doing better in recent times

donnamct.bsky.social•21 days ago

I remember her - I remember her win. 💜

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

She was great to watch ♥️

hokielisa00.bsky.social•21 days ago

She was also a World Champion! I loved her growing up.

itscoolthough.bsky.social•21 days ago

She was phenomenal!

bbrebooted.bsky.social•22 days ago

And when she faltered in her long program at the Olympics and WON a bronze medal, the press acted like she was Ethel Rosenberg (who should get a posthumous pardon, BTW) after-then East Germany's Katarina Witt won the gold (which was practically a foregone conclusion anyway given the judging then).

itscoolthough.bsky.social•22 days ago

Thanks for sharing 👍🏽

bbrebooted.bsky.social•22 days ago

Today, Starr Andrews is getting under-judged so little has changed. On a bright note, if you're interested in Black figure skaters, check out Emmanuel Savary. He may not have the quads (yet) necessary for top-level, but watching him perform is an absolute joy:
https://youtu.be/eTGK2vlFCyQ?si=TzLCvkli0Iua2YJf

binnska.bsky.social•22 days ago

Ohhh man you can tell it's just a matter of time on those quads. What a star! 😍