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.

Views: 1067

Comment by Mary on August 4, 2012 at 12:00pm

It's very upsetting to see this made an issue for this amazing young woman. Interesting discussion. I saw Chris Rock's docu about hair "Good Hair", and it was excellent. I agree totally with Lisa's comments about how this is racist and sexist in origin. Sad.

Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on August 4, 2012 at 12:16pm

Someone just put this on facebook. Thought it was great!

Comment by jenx on August 4, 2012 at 1:25pm

Its because she is black and black women are expected to do something with their hair and not leave it at is....

Comment by Linda Rollins on August 4, 2012 at 2:24pm

Its ignorance to the max, she is a beautiful young lady, with or without hair, combed or uncombed, straighten or nappy. Her hair does not define her. And those talking about her are probably spending their rent money on weaves and updo's and not one of them have ever and probably never will ever win a Gold Medal, You go Gabby!!!!!

Comment by Piotr on August 4, 2012 at 4:39pm
The girl (black, white, purple, orange, whatever) has just won two gold medals. I could care less how she looks like. I sure didn't like it when people pre-judged me when I was 1 out of 5 white people in my H.S. graduating class of 45 in Detroit. Discrimination, even reverse discrimination, is so sad in today's society and it changes people. I wish people would follow this famous M.L. King quote, "People should not be judged by the color of their skin, but the content of their character". I hope she wins more Gold medals in the future so she can shut-up the people ( black and white) that criticise her looks and not the accomplishments.
Comment by Dominique Cleopatra on August 4, 2012 at 4:49pm

I like the Gabby pic from FB Cheryl, except I don't like how they made her sound all "ghetto".

I watched her win the Gold and she was just radiant. I think her hair was the last thing on anyone's mind when she was up there like the shining star that she is!

Comment by kymkym on August 4, 2012 at 4:51pm

I was mortified to read the comments about this beautiful child's hair despite her accomplishments.

It saddens me that the negative comments came primarily from her own race of people. We should be embracing her and supporting her,not tearing her down over her hair. Furthermore, she is an athlete and her hair will sweat.

I take joy in knowing Gabby fulfilled her dreams and will laugh all the way to the bank, while the negative commentors will do what they do best, be negative.

GABBY, I am so proud of you. Keep up the hard work, because it has truly paid off.

Comment by Mary on August 4, 2012 at 6:32pm

So, a question occurs to me: does this whole cultural thing about pressure among the African-American community for women to "do" something with their hair make it even harder for black women who lose their hair? I've always thought black women look better than us pale gals with a bald head, but maybe there are greater pressures on them that I'm not aware of. Thoughts?

Comment by Cheryl, Co-founder on August 4, 2012 at 11:12pm

I think it is a shame that everything has to be put into distinct camps.

The weave, wig wearers may struggle with the natural hair or bald types and the natural hair / bald types may believe they are “farther” along than the weave, wig wearers. It is as if, you are not doing what I am doing then you are on the other team.

As much as we call ourselves the free world, we have a problem accepting other people freedoms if it does not match ours or we feel a strong need to defend our choices. Unfortunately that usually comes by putting down the other. We see it all over the place, politics, religion, sexual preferences and so on.

I would think that being a gymnast who has fallen over and over again, that she has worked her resiliency muscles and is able to bounce back from negative feedback, take what she needs to learn and discard the rest. Something that I think that anyone who is “different” needs to master.

Comment by Linda on August 5, 2012 at 1:28am

All I can say is "Congrats Gabby", we are not our hair, we are uniquely us!

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