Douglas has one job right now: to physically perform to the best of her ability. And she’s doing that. When it comes to Gabby Douglas, this—and her continued good health—are all that matter. Even if some misguided folk think otherwise.
Just as in 2012, a small but vocal contingent have emerged to focus on dumb s–t when it comes to Douglas. Again, they are a minority of viewers, but their incessant hating has caught the attention of Essence, ESPN and Teen Vogue, all of whom have reported on the latest (and stupid) backlash about Douglas’ hair.
Although she is an athlete in the midst of competition, this misguided group wants to know why Douglas’ edges ain’t laid right, as if that actually matters. As if laid edges will put some extra height on her tumbles. As if a well-brushed ponytail will prevent a pulled muscle. As if using hair gel raises the score of her performance by a tenth of a point.
“Social media author” Terez Baskin broke down the hair naysayers’ point of view in a clickbait blog post, “Why Gabby Douglas’ Hair Should Matter to You.” In short, Baskin argued that the state of Douglas’ hair was a reflection of her poor self-care and that black girls may have trouble admiring Douglas because her hair ain’t right. It was respectability politics run amok, but disguised as some sort of “I just want the best for her.”
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