Gabrielle Your Beautiful!
Enough is enough. The tremendous variation of human genetics manifests in a phenomenal range of feature, stature, complexion, hair and the like. Unfortunately, style and beauty is oftne framed only in the physiognomy of one particular ethnic group. Fashion and beauty is a multi-billion dollar industry. It’s time for it to be more inclusive. Hair texture is as varied as skin complexion. Yet, the concept of beauty when it comes to hair is Caucasian-centric. This is absurd.
Case in point; the recent hoopla surrounding the tremendous achievement of Olympian Gabrielle Douglas and her hair. Like her predecessors Nadia Comanchi, and Mary Lou Retton; Gabrielle Douglas won the hearts or the London Olympiad. She also won two gold medals including the All-Around Olympic Women’s Gymnastic Gold Medal. Gabrielle also happens to be the first African American woman to achieve such a feat. Too bad she just could not be an American. America still thinks in black and white. And the same with hair; I say who cares! GET OVER IT!
The social media and blogosphere buzzed with insults and complaints about her hair. What about her amazing performance that lead an American Team through to an elegant victory. Prior to the Olympics Gabby was not the favorite to lead the team.
Now there is no alleging racism here as the inane tweets and Facebook posting came from various ethnic communities. The racism is in the idealism of beauty to be framed in how much one looks like one particular ethnic group.
Blatant hypocrisy here, big bottoms are now considered hot. Full lips are sought after, so let’s get over the hair thing. Really people?
ENOUGH ALREADY! This absolutely beautiful sixteen year old woman accomplished what only a few have done. Instantly becoming an inspiration to a group of young woman because of lack of opportunity would not dare to dream or participating in gymnastics. One of the beauties of the American Women’s Gymnastics Team was the cultural diversity blended into a warm enthusiastic team of women with beauty and drive.
Wonderful young women who all wore there hair pulled backin a traditional Olympian gymnast style. None of them perfectly coifed. Who would expect that as they balanced, vaulted, dance and stuck a landing into our hearts with their outstanding accomplishments. REALLY PEOPLE GET OVER IT!
Gabrielle is a young girl with a dream, drive and natural charisma and beauty. Her ethnicity happened to be a historical first. A first that extends beyond her locks. A first that will encourage young girls from all underrepresented communities in America.
For African-Americans and many women of color hair has long been a cause for negative self image. The natural tight course curls or various other degrees of curliness of many ethnic groups with strong African genetics; places it outside the bounds of mainstream of imposed American beauty standards. A standard that emphasizes straightness, length and the bounce and flow of tresses in motion. GET OVER IT!
Here’s the scoop folks physical beauty is not restricted to type of hair, did I mention ‘GET OVER IT!’