Dawn Harper has always been as humble as a grandmother’s sweet potato pie.
As a teenager at East St. Louis Senior High, she was an All-American performer in track and field for the Flyerettes. It was clear that she would become great in anything she chose to do in the future.
Putting her education first, she took her talent to UCLA and used her education and talent to become a collegiate All-American. Harper reached the pinnacle of her sport in 2008 when she won the Olympic gold medal in the 100-meter high hurdles in China.
And in my opinion, she is the clear-cut favorite to bring the gold back to the ghetto here in East St. Louis again in 2012. Harper is headed to London in August to try to repeat as a gold medalist after taking first place at last weekend’s USA Olympic Trials in Eugene, Oregon.
Not many people really believed what Dawn Harper accomplished in 2008 until the ink dried and she was seen with her bling riding down State Street in the 618. And having a street named after her in East St. Louis with the greatest female athlete of all time, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, riding next to her both waving American flags in the hood.
I remember emailing Bryan Burwell of the Post-Dispatch, who was covering the games. I was so excited about this young lady. Her high school coach (the great Nino Finnoy) and her family had allowed me to host the press conference to announce her intention to attend UCLA. It was quite an honor considering her mom and my sister-in-law are best friends.
Even after running the fastest time and winning at the trials, all the world has talked about since 08 is Lolo Jones. It was sad how NBC Sports coverage of the 100-meter hurdles for some reason focused on Lolo “Drama Queen” Jones. What had she won lately? By her own admission, Jones ran one of her worst times since college in the first heat.
The folks at NBC, and some others seemed to think Lolo is the defending champ.
I was watching a BP Oil commercial with several Olympic champions in it. Halfway through the spot, there goes Lolo. I was like, I thought Dawn was the champ in Ms. Jones event?
Passing through the TV Guide the other night, I saw Lolo Jones on Leno. It was like, something’s not right here. I’m either confused, or Lolo has a great P.R. machine.
Dawn should be on these commercials and she should have been a guest on Jay Leno. She’s the champ and has beaten Lolo Jones multiple times now!
I could point the finger, and consider a number of reasons why this is happening.
I remember a local black writer who to his credit has written about Dawn Harper since her success. But, he also knows I have an email to him about being excited about my home girl and alumna of East St. Louis Senior High and her special accomplishment. His response was something to the effect that she won because of Lolo’s hurdle blunder!
Despite not having another hurdle blunder, Harper blew her away on Sunday in the finals.
And to the people who seem to overlook Dawn Harper, she’s going to beat her again on London.
Keep doing it your way Dawn. With style and class.
