Malcolm X said, 'the worst thing racism did was make us hate ourselves.' Two forms of slavery exist: physical and mental. Enslaved African Americans were subjected to both, but mental enslavement is the ULTIMATE worst—and one they were NEVER freed from. This fact should NOT be taken lightly. The mind of the enslaved African American was tinkered and toyed with, corrosively manipulated, abused and misused. One of the greatest powers in the world is the power to define reality and make others accept it, even when it’s to their disadvantage. This is what has happened to the Black African American race. Despite peonage ending in 1948, on the brink of the civil rights movement, Black America continued to struggle with their identity, not without compromising who they really are to become who and what they perceive as better than what stares back at them in the mirror. From socioeconomic status, skin color, and, which neighborhood their home was in to hair type African Americans begun to define who and what they were based on things they had, as opposed to their actions. 
In the 1960s, when African Americans were implored to be proud of their dark skin and natural hair, black women sported afros — short and sassy or big and billowy. Since the 1990s, young African Americans have rocked dreadlocks and braids, which are particularly popular among artists. Straightened hair, however, has never gone out of style and continues to draw criticism from those who say it is an attempt by black people to mimic the texture of white women’s hair. But for many black women, straight, perfectly styled hair is a shield against a society that doesn’t appreciate afro-centric features. Black women’s obsession with straight hair and weaves was the subject of the much-talked-about 2009 documentary “Good Hair” by comedian Chris Rock. The commentary on Gabby's hair shows the preoccupation with creating the picture that we like ourselves, when many of us don't! This outburst of ignorance begin on social media, which has opened pandoras box showing the damage and pain that continues to keep us in the chains of enslavement. For something as simple and petty as hair in the prime of a history making event, shows that the crabs in the bucket are snapping harder and pulling tighter than ever. This same type of mentality exists in our day to day lives. People dislike, slander and find enjoyment in the pain of others simply because they haven't yet learned to love themselves. When you love yourself, you love the accomplishments that others who look like you make. I think it's time we as a people heal, and begin to love self. Sources:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/gabby-douglass-hair-sets-off-twitter-debate-but-some-ask-whats-the-fuss/2012/08/03/38548064-ddaf-11e1-9ff9-1dcd8858ad02_story.html
(http://thyblackman.com/2011/06/29/wake-up-black-america-time-to-teach-the-truth/)
"Buzzworthy Cravings, Creatively Satisfied!"
"Buzzworthy Cravings, Creatively Satisfied!"
Malcolm X, Dr. King, Booker T. Washington, W.E. Dubois and other intelligent black males, no doubt, would turn over in their graves to hear their work for the advancement of African-Americans has been degraded to speaking about an Olympic champion’s hair. Willie Lynch, on the other hand would love it.
ReplyDeleteOf all the comments that have been made about Gabby’s beautiful hair, few have looked at it from the perspective that black females are ignorant about the beauty and care of their own natural hair. We love paying compliments to women of other races by stating we want our hair just like theirs. Whose to say that black hair is inferior. To my knowledge, we are the only people that can wear our hair four ways: dreads, afro, curly a straight. Our hair isn’t near as kinky as our brains. We need to appreciate the beauty of our own hair and stop passing from one generation to the next that straight hair is the thing.
Futher, more emphasis should be placed on getting other African- Americans in sports where few of us participate or dare tread.
What would be interesting is to see the women who commented on her hair. Nine of ten are probably fat and out of shape because they don’t want to get their hair messed up by exercising; thereby creating a bigger problem of obseity and other unnecessary health issues that plague the black community such as high blood pressure and diabetics.Or be concerned that as high as 29% of African-American boys drop out of high school in most major cities and the number of unwed mothers under 30 years old.
Black women really do need to get a grip and stop this foolishness about good hair, kinky hair, weave and concentrate on larger issues that would make them better parents and people; teach their daughters about lady-like conduct and raise sons that are fit to marry and can stay out of prison.