Congratulations to Gabby Douglas, the 16-year-old gymnast who wowed the world last night as she became the first American gymnast to win gold in the team competition and individual all-around. She also has the distinction of being the first woman of color in the history of the Olympics to be named Individual All-Around Champion. These brilliant accomplishments are rivaled only by her sparkling personality and humble grace rare in such a young athlete.

What’s Hair Got to Do With it?

Despite Gabby’s outstanding achievements, the Internet has been buzzing with criticism of the Olympian’s hair, of all things. The outpour of fans like myself defending her appearance seemed to fuel that fire for a few days more. While I couldn’t find a single aesthetic flaw with the beautiful gymnast, many outspoken members of the Black community claimed she wasn’t “representing” adequately and urgently needed to do something about her edges.

Once it became a hot topic, plenty hopped on the bandwagon, hurling the cruelest of insults in hopes of a Retweet or “lmao” from their peers. The only thing more disturbing than Black Americans’ self-hatred being picked up by mainstream media is the absurd standard of beauty for Black women athletes. Track and field competitors work up a sweat with immaculately brushed & gelled edges, freshly straightened hair, and flowing styles. The same often seems to apply to Black women in basketball as well. Are we so scared of another Don Imus jest about “nappy headed hoes” that we’ll try to destroy the confidence of an amazing Black teenager for looking… Black in front of the entire world? Given the fanatic adherence to White beauty standards, it is not surprising that some Black women feel conflicted when choosing between physical fitness and hair maintenance.

A Champ By Any Other Color

Twitter was bound to be full of outlandish or controversial live tweeting Gabby’s performance, but the official NBC commentators seemed to be just as blatantly biased. Gabby started off the individual competition with an almost flawless landing on the vault. The commentators could not wait to point out that her tiny hop sideways was “not perfect”. However, when fellow American Aly Raisman followed with a significant lunge forward it was hardly acknowledged in the commentary. Victoria Komova landing out of bounds, then walking down the steps of the mats seemed to be glossed over with a sympathetic tone in the commentary. The biased coverage continued on the balancing beam where they discussed Gabby’s self-doubt and lack of focus, but praised her fellow competitors who barely or didn’t stay on the beam. It was easier to notice the nuances of semantics because I already knew that Gabby won a gold medal before I watched the rebroadcast.

Plenty non-Black people congratulating Gabby wondered why it had to be stressed that she’s an African-American gymnast. We’re all American, right? Right! Unless you expect to not be mocked & doubted in front of the nation the entire time you compete in the sport to which you’ve devoted your entire life. Or would never guess Bob Costas would claim most of the barriers and prejudice you experienced was “imaginary”. Or think you can demonstrate extraordinary strength, flexibility, and grace on the world’s stage without being admonished for the way your hair grows out of your head when you get a little sweaty.

Regardless of the endless doubt and shade, Gabby Douglas has earned her place in the history books. Go, Gabby, Go! 

Hi, there. This blog was born because I’m very passionate about a number of topics, I like to write (even if I’m not that great at it), and it’s easier than bombarding my twitter followers with well-intentioned filibusters on humanism, horizontal oppression, double standards, colonialism and how we could all have better sex lives by going with the flow of feminism. I want everyone to be a better version of themselves and I do want to save the world, but my cape is at the dry cleaners. For now, I’m just your Average Maverick.