Dear Twitter Hair Critics,
What in the hell is wrong with you? Gabby Douglas, a 16 year-old girl has lived out her dreams and won a gold medal at the Olympic games. And all you can talk about is her hair.
While Gabby was busy making history, you were on your couch, begrudging her for gel build-up, hair clips and sweated-out edges.
In doing so, you’ve only made yourself look bad.
Gabby is more than just hair.
She is a World Champion. She is a team player who seems kind and wise beyond her years. She is a dedicated and determined athlete who worked hard to become one of the best gymnasts on the planet.
And you’ve criticized her for hair clips.
But I can’t be entirely disappointed in you. Your attitude isn’t all your fault.
Maybe you’re so used to seeing celebrities who are famous for nothing that you can’t acknowledge greatness when it’s in front of you.
You follow reality stars, socialites and artists with no talent. They have no commendable achievements, but they never step outside without perfect hair. And now you think that’s how the rest of the world works.
Perhaps if Gabby’s hair was bone-straight and bounced every time she flipped on your TV screen, you would be able to see her extraordinary accomplishment for what it is.
But you can’t separate the Olympic games from a hair competition, a fashion show or the latest episode of a reality TV series. You just don’t know any better.
Or it could be that you’re jealous.
Because let’s face it: her hair wasn’t that bad to begin with.
Frizzy edges and hair clips aren’t egregious enough to warrant your mean-spirited comments. They’re perfectly understandable for someone who is partaking in a sport. Duh.
It’s her accomplishment that bothers you. Now that a girl from Virginia Beach is a world champion before her 18th birthday, you have no excuse for not pursuing your dreams, nurturing your passion and working tirelessly until you become the best.
You hate how insecure and envious that makes you feel. So you had to find a way to belittle her achievement. Reduce her. Bring her down to make her seem equal to or lesser than you. And you went for her hair.
I don’t know you but I can probably guess you’re not a medal-winning Olympian with L’Oreal-worthy hair. You’re an internet bully who thrives on attacking other people behind a computer screen.
There’s a message in all this for you and I want you to listen very carefully to it: It’s not Gabby’s hair that needs fixing. It’s your value system.
Giving you a permanent sideeye,
Glamazon Jessica
agreed 100 %… she was great and one of my faves on the US team! go usa!!! and jeeshh all you haters.. seriously.. her hair doesn't look THAT bad… but besides that.. why the fuck does it even MATTER? lol sorta ridiculous.
BRAVO, JESSICA !!!!!
Yeahhhhhh! I love this post!!!!'
Amen! Amen! Amen! You are damned if you do and damned if you don't with people these days, they sit and they are pulled in to TV's a couple times a week to watch other people live theirs lives, and this girl is living her dream an actual role model to folks, and all they are worried about is her hair, guess what, she's showing people that the hair is just that, and honestly she has other things to worry about like becoming a world champion and inspiring little girls all over the world. She is 16 for goodness sake, and just did something that most of us will never come close to. I'm sl glad i decided to give twitter a break, because if that isn't one place were people hope on bandwagons every 5 mins I don't know what is.
AMEN !! why thell would they be bothered by something that stupid.. because they have nothing to do , nothing to say .. accomplished SHIT and blaiming the world for it.. there is no need to hate on a girl that is representing to the fullest and is looking GOOD doing it!! shoot.. when do people start understanding that your hair or your clothes are not what make YOU . hair can be combed or cut or whatever .. it is what you do what matters .. and what she did is amazing.. they should take pride in that .. instead of putting her down .. for silly stuff
OMG! I wasn't tweeting during the event because I knew haters would be barking, but a male friend of mine was and he said his timeline was buzzing with comments about Gabby's hair. Seriously?! Glad you put these fools in their place. Smh
Very well said BUT can we please take a moment to acknowledge Jordyn Weiber's eyebrows?!?!?!? Now that is a newsworthy tragedy. Just saying. Not knocking her for her accomplishments and she is undoubtedly a brilliant young gymnast BUT seriously?
At least she didn't use glitter hair gel (a la Russia). ;)
Great post! Girl power.
nice post Jess!! I hate that we (black folk) are always criticizing each other for the whole world to see. we couldn't just say "job well done", and leave it at that. we all had to become fashion critics. no wonder people sometimes look at us like we're a joke.
YESSS!!! Standing Ovation on this!!!
Beautiful!
This saddens me to see our children ridiculed by ignorant people who's hair probally looks like an old plate of spagetti.WTF does Gabby's hair have to do with this young beutiful princess making history?
Couldn't agree more!!! You articulated so well how so many of us feel. Gabby is a champion period. Her accomplishments transcend the ignorance and ridicule. Well done Jessica!!!
These stupid people should get a life. I am so proud of this young lady. I can not keep from crying each time I think of her accomplishments. She really is a champion. I could care less what her hair looks like or even if she has any.
Awesome article Jess. Well said. They get a permanent sideeye from me too.
LOVE this post. Such a great article. We can be so shallow don't hate be proud of her accomplishments.
Your Cuz!
Thank you for that post!! She's one of the best in the world at her sport, and she didn't get there by worrying about her hair, or what others think! We black women need to get over our sickness when it comes to hair, especially the hair of others! We're so busy judging each other about who's natural, who has a relaxer,who needs a touch-up, who has a wevae that we forget what's really important. What's in our heads and in our hearts is more important than what's on it!