Hey all-
So as much as I try not to make this a forum to convey my frustrations, at times it gets to be that way. While on my usual routine of perusing the internet and catching up on blogs via bloglovin, I came across a post about Gabby Douglas, the uber awesome gold medalist gymnast and her hair. This post wasn’t about congratulating this athlete on her kick butt job but to address all the controversy and hateful comments people have been making about her hair. You may wonder, what could be SO wrong with her hair? Oh… well… I of course had to look and I saw something that was so ridiculously SHOCKING that I just did not know what to do with the image before my eyes! Gabby Douglas had typical, normal African American hair after a good, healthy workout. She straightens it but after some perspiration it… drum roll please… curled up in the nape area!!! Catastrophic right?!?!? What irked me the absolute most was the fact that most if not ALL the hate was coming from other African American women… like really? Her hair was FINE!!! The more the years go by the more the hate seems to multiply and honestly I am fed up. As a twitter follower of mine said “We need to build up and not build down”. Immediately after the Gabby Debacle, I get a text from a good friend and fellow blogger who received a faux constructive criticism comment on her blog about her makeup and weave choices. What I mean by faux is it was one of those Im trying to be helpful but really its a backhanded compliment type comment. This anonymous writer is adamant that those who wear makeup and/or weaves are insecure and proceeded to go on a tirade about this blogger’s hair and cosmetic choices. When does the hate stop? What happened to “if you have nothing nice to say, dont say anything at all?”. I am a true advocate of speak your mind but while speaking be careful with the words you choose. Let us all work together to be better and to try to support and encourage one another NO MATTER the choices. We are ALL judgemental, no one can say they have never passed judegement on another but let us all try very hard to build instead of tear down. I know I have probably written tweets that have offended others or that have come across as catty and well there is no need for it so I apologize and I, myself will work harder and better.
Sorry for the long rant but some things just need to be said.
We can all grow as sisters and strengthen our community in this already difficult fashion industry!
“always strive for that which is honorable, beautiful and highest”- Kappa Delta till I Die!
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Wedges: Classified
Sunnies: Vintage similar HERE
Watch: Michael Kors
Purse: BeBe
Jenni Jehanne
Nowadays, folks are so quick to criticize and judge. And for no good logical reason. I’m pretty sure Gabby’s hair is the least of her worries in trying to obtain as many medals as possible in this 2012 Olympics. The girl is shutting it down at the young age of 16 and yet ladies damn near twice her age think it’s cute to get on Twitter and rag on her hair. Okay. Completely overlooking the fact that she just got herself not one but TWO gold medals (sorry for the spoiler alert for those that haven’t watched tonight). Shame.
Meanwhile, I like your skirt and the way you contrasted it with the black/white striped belt. Really nice.
I couldn’t agree with you more. I don’t understand how we as women – African American women at that, reach for the low ball on being judgmental and downright disrespectful. Gabby’s hair does not define her – heck hair does not define any of us. It’s an accessory that I think many women take way too seriously. In regards to your friend, I’m natural, but will wear a sew-in, braids, and wigs to change my look and have some fun with something new. It’s my hair and I wear it how I want to and not as way for me to fit in or to prove that I’m confident with myself. One of the many blessings of being a woman is being able to express ourselves in many different ways – our look being one of them. Once we learn how to love ourselves and each other for who we are, all judgement will stop. Thing is, when someone is judging someone else, they are in reality reflecting that judgement on themselves. So the way I see it, for anyone who has a downright negative comment and are just rude with it are displaying their unhappiness with themselves.
http://www.mediaandstilettos.com
thank you Vivi….. girl everything you said is so RIGHT ON!
I heard a little of this “controversy” via facebook. People can be so hateful it’s sickening. Glad you touched on this topic. I love the look.
-Shakiyla
Thanks girl!!!!!
Jen
What a pretty skirt!! I love how you styled it 🙂
thank you Becky!!!
Not going to front..we have our differences but mad respect on this post…mature for sure
Thank you Mo. Thank you.
Jen
I love the skirt and the Gabby situation agitated me so much people are concerned with her hair and she’s out making history!! The priorities of some people are so skewed it’s sad
such nonsense, this had me on the border line of livid, and i’m glad gabby isn’t worrying about haters, she went on to win that gold. People didn’t realize her hair was just like the rest of the gymnast out there!
Love the outfit. I’m so over the Gabby hair discussion. I agree with you but at this point I’m exhausted even by the “defending” as well…although this post was a few days ago. I think you Naja and I were visited by the same troll…or so I was told by one of my readers. *shrugs* The comments were SO ridiculous that I wasn’t even offended, it was more comical that someone took their time to “think” of something so negative to say! Smh.
I really like this outfit, I really like the blue jean shirt with that skirt!!!
Carsedra of:
http://www.embracingtherealme.com/
http://sweets4yourtooth.blogspot.com/
Girl no way. This troll has hit like 7 black bloggers now. Goodness. Well I can track her but not going to.
Jen
Lovely printed skirt! Classic look 🙂 Just subscribed! Please check out my vintage site at http://musevintage.blogspot.com/ 🙂
Fabulous skirt!
thank you!
thank you so much Stephanie! Adding your blog to my bloglovin immediately!
sighhhhhhhhh I know right! It is what it is… just bothered me even more bc it was other black females who were making the mean comments….
to me, Gabby is the face of the u.s. olympic team – such a shame how people have to nit pick about such petty things like her hair. thanks for posting about that & giving awareness! she’s truly an inspiration.
love that KD quote!
you look great 🙂
I love this skirt – the fit and classic flare looks so pretty on you! As for Gabby’s hair, I honestly couldn’t see anything wrong with it at all. For a Black girl, I don’t show much interest in hair matters and I thought it was pulled back just like the other girls. It didn’t look like a fresh perm but I didn’t really notice that at first, either. Lately, people seem to put so much emphasis on what doesn’t matter that they miss what does matter. The person who commented on your friend’s blog probably thinks they know all there is to know about what makes a good weave and good makeup, when everyone is entitled to have their own style of both. There’s too much focus on what other people are doing with their looks. Like members of the natural movement trying to make people feel bad for having perms. Let people wear their hair the way that want, and let Gabby get her gold medals without having to worry about people scrutinizing her just because she didn’t have time to get her hair done.
– Shannonhttp://shannonsometimes.com
sigh I agree Colleen but this is what happens! I also love the KD quote. Thank you so much for visiting my blog and commenting. I truly appreciate it.
well said and AMEN!!!!