In July and August, espnWs weekly essay series will focus on body image.When I was younger, I used to have the same recurring daydream in gym class.If we were playing softball, I would dream I hit the ball and sprinted to home plate because I deserve to be there, not because my classmates let me slide -- like the puck that glided past the goalie and into the net. I won the game, and everything faded away as a single tear rolled down my cheek -- the way athletes cry after a championship win in the movies.Me, midrun, a smile on my face, because I couldnt believe I was quickly moving.I have a milder form of cerebral palsy. I walk with a limp. I had given up on the idea of running after surgeries on the right side of my body left me too afraid to relearn how to run.These reveries left me waiting for a special talent, which I assumed all disabled kids had, to make up for their disability.Im a terrible singer, so I figured Id find a hidden gift in a sport we played in physical education class.I never did, and I yearn for representation of people of color with disabilities in sports. So until the work that disabled black women do is recognized, I will continue to champion and celebrate the able-bodied black women.I cried when I learned that Misty Copeland would be American Ballets first black female principal dancer. My weeping was not because I had dreams of being a ballet dancer -- although I would twirl from the kitchen table to the fridge in my socks, convinced I could pirouette with the best of ballerinas.I was emotional because ballet, at its core, is both raw and feminine, two things that black women are often not allowed to be.Then come gymnasts Gabby Douglas, Simone Biles and Laurie Hernandez. Not only did they help secure a team gold medal, but Biles is the new Olympic all-around champion and is leaving Rio with five medals.At 24, Im older than they are, but I feel a sense of pride when I see them swinging on uneven bars or sticking dismounts on vaults.I hold my breath with them as they await their scores and cheer when I feel they received the ones they deserved.The Olympics are the ultimate dream.Our bodies are in no way identical, and we are on opposite ends of the spectrum.Though Ive been told that the way my smile spreads across my face during moments of triumph is similar to Gabbys and Simones happy grins.They all have dealt with?criticism, from some people saying Gabby isnt patriotic, to a dance instructor telling a 13-year-old Copeland she was too old to be a ballerina.I havent had the same amount of vitriol thrown at me, but I was told by a teacher in high school that I would never make it as a successful journalist. Ive had my writing abilities questioned and racist comments sent to me frequently online. Like them, I feel I have persevered.?For Lena Dunham and Jenni Konners Lenny Letter, I wrote about one of my biggest triumphs so far, putting my hair up into a ponytail, unassisted. This might not be a medaling event at the Olympics, but it made me feel as proud and as wonderful as I imagine Misty, Laurie, Gabby and Simone feel with each of their completed goals.There is an expectation for black women in sports to be better than the best, show no emotion and maintain a level of superhuman strength.When Copeland steps out on the stage next month at the Opera de Paris to star in The Sleeping Beauty, I hope she reminds herself of all the work shes put in to get there.Simply?seeing all of these women succeed in their fields is something akin to witnessing a miracle that isnt really a miracle but rather a result of fate putting the world in the right order.Representation matters, and even as I live in a disabled body that was never lucky enough to be good at any sport, when I see these women in commercials and on TV screens, I am reminded of all of the things I can achieve with hard work and talent. These athletes prove that every black body is beautiful, even the ones that dont look like theirs.The bodies of people with disabilities, the tall, thick and tired bodies that could only ever dream of doing what they do, the short and chubby bodies. These black women make every black body feel special and worthy.Even mine.Keah Brown work has appeared in Lenny Letter, Catapult, The Establishment and Femsplain among other publications. She loves TV, good music and cheesecake. Follow her @Keah_Maria Fake Air Max 270 Black .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Air Max 97 Plus Black . That gave fans outside Joe Louis Arena another chance to ask for autographs from the 19-year-old whose stardom in the NHL has arrived earlier than most expected. http://www.wholesalenikeshoesclearance.com/cheap-max-1-shoes.html . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. Kd All Star Shoes 2019 . Each of Houstons starters scored in double figures as the Rockets improved to 2-0 against the Spurs this season, with both victories coming on the road. They also moved within 3 1/2 games of San Antonio (22-7) for the lead the Southwest Division. Air Max 720 Outlet . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. SAN ANTONIO -- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich spoke Friday about his frustration with Tuesdays election of Donald Trump as the 45th president of the United States.Im still sick to my stomach, and not basically because the Republicans won or anything, but the disgusting tenor, tone and all the comments that have been xenophobic, homophobic, racist, misogynistic, he said before the Spurs home game against the Detroit Pistons. And I live in that country where half the people ignored all that to elect someone. Thats the scariest part of [the] whole thing to me.Its got nothing to do with the environment, Obamacare and all the other stuff. We live in a country that ignored all those values that we would hold our kids accountable for.Popovich spoke with reporters for nearly six minutes about the election. He said he understands why some, including political leaders, are calling for Americans to support the president-elect. But Popovich said Trumps words cannot be simply overlooked and forgotten.Everybody wants him to be successful. Its our country; we dont want it to go down the drain, Popovich said. Any reasonable person would come to that conclusion, but it does not take away the fact that he used that fear-mongering and all the comments from day one. The race-baiting with trying to make Barack Obama, our first black president, illegitimate. It leaves me to wonder where Ive been living and with whom Im living.Popovich also expressed empathy for minority groups that might be adversely affected by Trumps remarks during his campaign.What gets lost in the process are African-Americans, Hispanics, women and the gay population, not to mention the eighth-grade developmental stage exhibited by him when he made fun of the handicapped person, he said. I mean, come on. Thats what an eighth-grade bully does, and he was elected president of the United States. We would have scolded our kids. We would have had discussions and talked until we were blue in the face trying to get them to understand these things. And he is in charge of our country. Thats disgusting.Popovich emphasized that his problem with Trump isnt merely a matter of political affiliation.Values to me are more important than anybodys skill in business or anything else because it tells who we are, how we want to live and what kind of people we are, he said. Thats why I have great respect for people like Lindsey Graham, John McCain, John Kasich, who I disagree with on a lot of political things. But they haad enough fiber and respect for humanity and tolerance for all groups to say what they said about [Trump].ddddddddddddWhen a reporter interrupted to start a new line of questioning, Popovich cut him off.Im not done, he said. One could go on and on. We didnt make this stuff up. Hes angry at the media because they reported what he said and how he acted. Its ironic to me. It just makes no sense. So thats my real fear.?And thats what gives me so much pause and makes me feel so badly, that the country is willing to be that intolerant and not understand the empathy thats necessary to understand other groups situations.Im a rich, white guy. And Im sick to my stomach thinking about it. I couldnt imagine being a Muslim right now or a woman or an African-American, a Hispanic, a handicapped person, and how disenfranchised they might feel. And for anyone in those groups that voted for him, its just beyond my comprehension how they ignored all that.As his remarks ended, Popovich said he was concerned that the U.S. is on the same path as the Roman Empire.My final conclusion is, my big fear is, we are Rome, he said.Popovich is just one of many coaches and athletes who have shared their opinions on the election following Trumps victory Tuesday.As anti-Trump protests spread nationwide after the election, Clippers coach Doc Rivers said Wednesday night that there was nothing wrong with people protesting Trumps election victory but that they should be open to giving him the opportunity to prove himself.The election didnt go the way I wanted it to go, Rivers said. I personally know Donald Trump. Ive golfed with him, and I know him. I dont think theres anyone who runs for president that wants to do bad. I really dont. So, you know, he won. My take on it: Lets give him a chance and see what he can do. Thats the only way anyway now. So, lets go with that.Pistons?coach Stan Van Gundy said he noticed his players were uncharacteristically quiet because they were thinking about the election, and Van Gundy told the Detroit Free Press that Trump was openly and brazenly racist and misogynistic.I have problems with thinking that this is where we are as a country. Its tough on [the team], he said. What we have done to minorities ... in this election is despicable. Im having a hard time dealing with it.The Associated Press contributed to this report. ' ' '