Gabby Douglas hair debate is turning the spotlight on the self-hate issues of black women while Oprah Winfrey is also causing her own hair debate!
Let’s begin with Gabrielle ‘Gabby’ Douglas who has griped much of a nation with her skills and infectious smile. Standing at only 4’11, the shortest gymnast on the US 530 women team, Gabby helped bring her country two gold medals. She became the first African American woman to win the individual all-around gold yet despite her huge sacrifices and historic win her hair is at the center of debate.
“I love how she’s doing her thing and winning, but I just hate the way her hair looks.”
“With all those pins and gel … I wish someone could have helped her make it look better since she’s being seen all over the world.”
@stephaniebabe93 tweeted, “I know every black female looked at gabby douglas’ hair and asked Why? Just why?”
@MessyMeil said, “So for real though nobody wanted to go to London to do Gabby Douglas’ hair?
One commenter had enough and nicely put the unfortunate debate into perspective,
“While folks are so worried about her hair and she’s winning Gold Medals, there’s teenagers out here killing each other… Some people just need to get a grip on life and get their priorities right… Maybe the young girls out here now will see that they don’t need to wear all that weave in their hair to be beautiful. Natural Beauty is in Baby!!! Calling her a nappy headed ho won’t break her… Remember this the one finger you’re pointing at this young girl, there’s three pointing back at you!!! What have you done that was so groundbreaking at the age of 16yrs old???”
Virtual high five to that! Oprah on the other hand debut her natural hair on the upcoming issue of O Magazine – good thing right? Wrong!
One commenter outright accused Oprah of lying!
“I don’t blame non-black people for loving it and believing Oprah when she says this is her ‘natural’ hair but this B.S. is what makes actual kinky-haired women feel inferior because THIS is a LIE. This is NOT what most black women have on their heads unless they are mixed at some level and, no, you don’t have to be light to have mixed hair. “
Another insinuated it was a ploy for ratings,
“This cover kind of reads like ‘When your network ratings are down, pull out the natural hair,’” she said. “‘Those chicks on the internet will talk about you for free for DAYS.’ And now I feel like I might get struck down by Oprah’s aura for saying that…” We hope not, Danielle!
The resurgence of natural hair on black woman is a huge movement and perhaps Oprah was embracing her part in said movement.
In response to Gabby Douglas hair debate one commenter turned the spotlight on black women,
“Black women have a media view of self hate… Willow Smith does a Video black women got upset, We did call AL SHARPIE when a white teacher cut a little girls beaded braids, because the beads got on her nerves — The white woman stated SHE DIDN’T KNOW THE HAIR WAS REAL,
We Black women have made Indian Temples & Chinese manufactures RICH – buying FAKE HAIR……. Black Women if GOD or that Jesus person wanted you to whip your across your man’s legs He would have gave it too you
embrace your afro puff LOL”
What do you make of the criticism towards Oprah and Gabby Douglas’ hair?
