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Gabby Douglas takes two Olympic gold medals—and hair criticism!
According to an article on Essence.com, some believe that Gabby should be more concerned with more than just her Olympic dream.
"On Tuesday, 16-year-old Gabrielle 'Gabby' Douglas led our women’s gymnastics team to a gold medal, the USA’s first since 1996. The bouncing, bubbly superstar will also be competing for the gold again today, one of just two Americans chosen after she outperformed media darling Jordyn Wieber, whom everyone expected to land a top spot.
"But instead of collectively celebrating her accomplishments on the Olympic stage, Gabby has been dogged with cruel criticism. Too many folk aren’t discussing her awe-inspiring leaps, bounds and accomplishments. Instead, it’s her hair that has become the topic du jour of some less-than-pleasant viewers."
I wonder what impression this leaves with you. That people are really hair-obsessed, or that this is pure frivolousness?
UPDATE: Since this column was originally posted, Gabby Douglas won the gold medal in the women's all-around gymnastics competition.
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Comment by mardy on August 3, 2012 at 12:49am
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people are very hair obsessed and can be very cruel
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Comment by Themba Shenge on August 3, 2012 at 2:35am
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It's so sad how the world is obsessed with outside appearances and can even go to lengths of withholding honour where it's due just because the person didn't 'look the part'.
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Comment by You can do it : ) on August 3, 2012 at 8:09am
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wow this is insane people care to much about whats on the outside not the inside
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Comment by LilyBell*Murphy'sLawLuvsMe on August 3, 2012 at 9:59am
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I think she looks cute! All the girls pull their hair back in ponytails.nThere will ALWAYS be someone who has something to say that is mean - always.
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Comment by Lisa Santer on August 3, 2012 at 11:53am
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Me, I think it's classic sexism, with a racist flavor. For too many, women are expected to conform to some imaginary, probably shifting, micro-standards of how we should look, talk, move, think, and more. Women who break out in some way get targeted. I'm having a good time imagining what would happen if all the women/girl gymnasts decided to act in solidarity, wearing unslicked ponytails and maybe no makeup for emphasis.
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Comment by Kelci on August 3, 2012 at 1:11pm
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It's racist within the context of the issues black women have with hair. As a black woman with Alopecia I have experienced some of this racism first hand. But thing I am rather confused about maybe because of my alopecia what exactly is wrong with her hair? It's straightened or permed...big deal who cares? A lot of people chemically straighten their hair. But outside of that I'm very confused as to what people are complaining about being wrong with her hair? How does it "look a mess" as quoted from a twitter status? Can anyone shed some light on that for me?
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and another note she can do whatever she wants with her hair! she's winning gold medals!!!
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Andre, I do know Essence is for black women. In the Essence article Cheryl posted, the writer defended her against others' critiques of her hair. Racism sets up black women to believe they have to do all sorts of things to their naturally beautiful hair in order to fit into white standards of beauty. Sexism sets women up to think that meeting some standards of physical beauty are the most important thing we have to offer.
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Comment by Sunflower25 on August 4, 2012 at 9:38am
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I couldn't help but laugh at how stupid this was. You ever see Chris Rock's documentary about hair? That through me for a loop as well.
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Plus, I think she looks beautiful! Her hair isn't crazy tight puller back like the rest of the US girls. That looked painful to me!
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