Aly Raisman Slams TSA Agent After 'Sexist' Incident: 'I Am So Sick of This Judgmental Generation'
Aly Raisman has spoken out about body shaming before, but a recent incident that she aired on Twitter was particularly egregious.
Lady at TSA: "Gymnast? I recognized u by ur biceps"
Man at TSA: "I don't see any muscles" & continues 2 stare at me
How rude & uncomfortable— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
On Wednesday, the two-time Olympian shared on social media that TSA staffers made comments about her muscles while making her way through airport security. While the female employee asked if she was a gymnast because of her muscles, her male counterpart reportedly said to Raisman, “I don’t see any muscles” and continued to stare at her, which she called “rude” and made her feel “uncomfortable.”
I work very hard to be healthy & fit. The fact that a man thinks he judge my arms pisses me off I am so sick of this judgmental generation.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
If u are a man who can't compliment a girls ???????? you are sexist. Get over yourself. Are u kidding me? It's 2017. When will this change?
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
“I work very hard to be healthy and fit. The fact that a man thinks he [can] judge my arms pisses me off,” Raisman wrote in a series of tweets. “I am so sick of this judgmental generation. If you are a man who can’t compliment a girl’s [biceps] you are sexist. Get over yourself. Are you kidding me? It’s 2017. When will this change? ”
He was very rude. Staring at me shaking his head like it couldn't be me because I didn't look "strong enough" to him? Not cool.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) May 24, 2017
She concluded by noting again that he was “very rude.” She added, “Staring at me shaking his head like it couldn’t be me because I didn’t look “strong enough” to him? Not cool.”
In a statement regarding the incident, the TSA noted that it “conducts screening at security checkpoints when departing from a U.S. or U.S territory airport, and it appears that Ms. Raisman was traveling from a foreign airport. We have reached out to Ms. Raisman via Twitter, requesting more details of her experience. If the incident occurred at any of our security checkpoints in the U.S, we look forward to hearing from her to look into this further.”
Many were quick to defend Raisman on social media.
@Aly_Raisman Sir, you need to get an eye test & quick! #NoMuscles ???? pic.twitter.com/7KLZvT0bs3
— Emma Bailey ?????????♀? (@MoominWhisky) May 25, 2017
@Aly_Raisman If this ever happens again, tell him you got the muscles from carrying around your 6 Olympic medals ?????????♀?????
— Cassie Wangler (@CassieWangler) May 24, 2017
@Aly_Raisman Yeah i dont see any muscles ……. pic.twitter.com/EK9NYMJrQL
— EMILY ???? (@flipflytumble) May 25, 2017
@Aly_Raisman He represents the TSA, you represent the USA… now who's better?
— jim wilson (@reds1969) May 24, 2017
@mustdefine @Aly_Raisman I'm sorry. I know I had absolutely nothing to do with this. But since I'm a man, I'll apologize.
— Mitch Harpenau (@1CubsW) May 25, 2017
The 23-year-old’s boyfriend, Colton Underwood, did as well, responding to a few of Raisman’s haters.
@_usag @Aly_Raisman Tough guy behind the keyboard on twitter. You are a low-life and your comments are repulsive. Get out of here.
— Colton Underwood (@Colt3FIVE) May 24, 2017
@stevecofield Silly? Read the tweet and tell me that's something you want someone saying to you daughter. Fake acct or not there's no need for it.
— Colton Underwood (@Colt3FIVE) May 24, 2017
The gold medalist has been outspoken about her body in the past. Raisman, who posed in the 2017 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, said of the photo shoot that it was “empowering to be out there and just, you have insecurities just like everyone else, your body’s not perfect, but you feel confident and beautiful.” She added, “I used to be so insecure, I thought my arms were too muscular, but now I’m growing to like them.”
She also told Yahoo Style recently that she works really hard for her body. “I believe that all women should embrace how beautiful they are, no matter their body type.”
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