It’s been 4 years since the London Summer Olympics where, unfortunately, people brought more attention to the way Gabby Douglas wore her hair than the fact that she was the first black gymnast in Olympic history to win the individual all-around title.
As this year’s Olympics is currently taking place in Rio, apparently some people just can’t let it go.
Many individuals took to Twitter their opinions of her hair.
Gabby Douglas is in the #Olympics & black women are criticizing her more on her hair than her performance. pic.twitter.com/njXzzg65g3
— Heat Fan in Spirit (@KingJohnLove) August 8, 2016
Okay but why is Gabby Douglas hair never done?
— cake (@_jauna_) August 10, 2016
Gabby Douglas is pretty af but her hair…
— 1011Keelo™ (@1011Keelo) August 7, 2016
It saddens me that some cannot understand that she is not in a beauty pageant, but she is competing in a serious sporting event.
Those who are natural know the struggle of keeping your edges laid, especially when working out. Sweat causes our hair to curl up and not be as sleek. It is what it is.
If she was focused more on her appearance instead of her craft it is possible that she would be distracted and fail miserably. And personally, I don’t blame her for not caring about her edges being laid while she’s tumbling, flying through the air, and doing hop on slim balancing beams. Hair should be the last of her worries.
I’m just saying, let the girl live. Can we not mature and move past this? Why must some remain in this crab mentality where they pull people down instead of cheering them on for doing a great job?
She has performed extremely well and, similarly to the situation in London, instead of focusing on that an uproar of a response to her hair and edges has commenced.
Don’t forget that she has feelings too. And we all definitely know that when she is not competing she knows how to slay!
Let’s build up and encourage one another and not tear down. —By the way congratulations on winning gold last night!
IDC she needs to brush that shit lol I’m natural my s**t never looks like that its not just her growing up black people always been serious about hair this is no different!
These ignoramus need to get their life and quick. These girls are doing something constructive with themselves and here you have a bunch of grown ignorant ass women complaining about their hair! N***as, yes niggas are their own worst enemy!
Half the women complaining haven’t seen their edges in 20 yrs! Get lost!
These girls rock! These girls are blessed by the best! These girls are unbothered!
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Amen, love this!!!
Y’all are entertaining this bulls**t to get views. I’d rather talk about how dope she is and how many people are actually inspired by her and love the way she looks than to talk about some petty ass nobody who wants to discuss her damn edges.
Simply said.
I agree! I don’t even believe it was enough people with that stupid ass opinion for this to be a topic
I feel like they fished for a few dumbasses to make this a headline
Lena Monique Exactly! I haven’t seen many people talking bad about her at all. They’re just feeding on any drama they can find.
I agree!!!
well said
Because they clearly do not have anything better or purposeful to do with their time…they equate perfect looking hair to success or high self esteem etc etc…gabby and most of us know differently….gabby is accomplishing her purpose. While performing she does not need her hair to be slayed—she needs her performance to slay. Now because she won another gold she will have more endorsements and events to attend and rest assured she will have her hair slayed. There is a time for everything—priorities. The women commenting on her hair have misplaced priorities and I guanrantee you it shows up in the outcome of their lives.
Said w perfection!
So well said. I can’t believe people think the most important thing is her hair. She is in the Olympics representing her whole country if that ain’t pressure idk what it is. Why get your hair done to sweat it out in a few mins? She’s beautiful in all her natural glory.
It not my Hair…. Why should it bother you?
People need to start standing next to one another and support each other’s achievements . Until this is achieved black lives don’t stand a chance !!! She is an outstanding black gymnast and I salute her and not her hair!
It’s sad that our people are making fun of the way our hair naturally grows. I remember when I heard about her for the first time; her accomplishments were being discussed by Tameka Tiny Harris and Tamar Braxton on BET. Tamar made a joke about her edges and asked why she couldn’t take the time to smooth them out. Tiny didn’t take part in that misguided comment tho. I’m glad she is proud of her natural hair and focusing on what matters.
Shannon Wisniewski yes I feel saddened that people focus on minor petty things and don’t celebrate achievements…I have children one being a girl and I will continue to promote her natural Afro hair and hopefully she will learn to appreciate and love it .. Hair styles like make up is superficial !
It’s great that you do that for your daughter because we are often told our natural hair is not pretty. I’m glad that there are a growing number of natural hair style social media sites starting up.
Shannon Wisniewski yes definitely … But as parents/adults/blacks people we need to take that responsibility & stop putting all the blame on society/media ..and it also has nothing to do with wealth either!
I agree Tina, thanks for sharing this message.
Shannon Wisniewski you are welcome ..great to have support x
Because you are still posting about it
Boom!
Who
Whomever is typing this article
They judging her GYMNASTICS SKILLS
NOT HER DAMN EDGES GTFOH AND STOP FINDING PETTY S**T TO TEAR PEOPLE DOWN ABOUT DAYUUUUUM. SHE’S AN EXCELLENT GYMNAST THAT IS ALL THAT MATTERS
Are your sure it isn’t you that really wants to keep the drama going? If some women spent more time and energy working out their ratchet lives they wouldn’t be so bitter and hateful.
I saw the four tweets from 4 stupid people and now all the black women who don’t feel that way are classified with them…
Oh I’m sure…even us commenting here is still bringing attention to it. This is why people who have a platform should take responsibility and not post this foolishness..just ignore it. Next thing you know, just like last time, it will be all over the media again. And we’ll have no one but US to blame.
Ignorance
If they did it when she was younger, they would do it now
Sad Characters They Are
Nothing before Gods time she is beautiful young lady!!!
Who are those coming for her….I haven’t seen or heard anything until you come the hell on FB…..Stfu already
Most of the shade is on twitter. Such silly brawds they are.
O OK np….I don’t have Twitter….thx though….it’s just very annoying as A blk young woman myself to see these headlines….like give her a break fr….I’m not mad because I know she is very strong willed and minded just by watching her….but it’s ridiculous….everything in the new’s is blk this blk that…..Let it go down in History that we are the best
This why we as a people are losing. We focus on the superficial and aren’t concerned enough with what is really important. Can’t blame The Man for this one.
I guess I’m more confused by the outrage. Gabby is PHENOMENAL. Her hair isn’t the best. None of the gymnasts from any country has amazing hairstyles. They are putting in WORK……but why is everyone so sensitive. It’s an opinion. Media cised it up but ppl are completely entitled to their opinion. It’s not to tear her down….it’s a statement. It’s 98 degrees today….my edges look a HOT mess…I know it…if I hear someone whisper about it I’m not gon cry my goofy butt might agree with you.
They could be better especially with the opportunities and attention
Just negate the fact that she and Simone are making history. I’d like to see what their edges look like after doing grueling routines and sweating all day. No edge control in the world can work under those conditions smh.
People grow up
That girl is sweating. No about of edge control will help when she’s working like that. Of course she’ll sweat out a perm/press and anything else.
It’s just pure jealousy
Who cares. That is one of one our biggest problems right now, we want to have our hairs in styles that are unnatural to our roots. We are not seeing the beauty in who we are naturally. I really hope that those young ladies do not even pay any mind to that stupidity!!!
Its from sweating bc shes fkn awesome #haters #getsome
So what she did then you can talk about her period … you go girl make us proud
Because she still has edges! Soo many are damn near bald under their weaves they get jealous anytime they see someone wearing their real hair.
BWAHAHAHAHA!!!! Preach!!!!????????????????
Agreed.
Nonsense… Haters gonna hate. Gabrielle Douglas u ROCK! #blackgirlmagic
I mean shes just a little too busy, winning all those medals and practicing hard to continue dominating the gymnastics world along with simon biles to be worried about having “on fleek” edges…smh rachets need to go and get their lives together. This young lady is amazing
There are more important things in life than some damn edges.
I really hate that blogs and news companies focus so much on things like this. The fact that y’all post this nonsense really irritates me. Do people not understand that making headlines about negative people trying to tear her down is just giving them attention? It’s taking the light off of a beautiful and talented young lady and placing it on all the negative people who bully her. This is ass backwards. To be honest, if we’re being real here, I see more ARTICLES and posts from pages like THIS about her edges than Tweets and FB posts!! Y’all are stirring the pot!!!
Yep! And its time to unfollow this tabloid page accordingly…….✌✌
I would think she wasn’t trying hard enough if her edges were slick back and being”cute” at the Olympics doesn’t give a gold medal its effort.
Some people have nothing better to do SMDH
But she working out though. It’s going to get messed up anyway so why does she have to do anything with it. People really need to get a life and leave her alone. A least she’s in the Olympics
I’m so over with the whole edges dilemma already, who is perfect on the Earth?? Who?? Ppl need to get their life and stop being petty!!
Ikr they better leave bae alone n grow up cuz what this girl hair look like is totally irrelevant compared to the hard work and dedication she put into being great.
I’m glad these young sistahs are focusing on getting that gold and not hair! Really, hair don’t make a woman!
She’s gone out there and killed it with an amazing performance, don’t see why her hair (which I actually thought looked fine) even comes into it. People need to wise up and start to realise that she’s there as a gymnast not a fashion model
Black Hair, remove this negative article and post a positive one of her Olympic wins and success. Congratulations Gabby!
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Love this forum for hair styles, grooming, etc. This disappointed me. Thanks for the response.
Funny how us as black people take this and make this something when there’s poverty and the killings of our own says a lot about us
When it comes to her hair, to quote a politician, “what difference does it make?”. Are you ashamed of being black and having nappy hair? What’s wrong with nappy hair in your opinion? Shame on those of you who do not appreciate the natural beauty of black hair, naps and all.
She is there to win a serious sport competition and I am sure she has time for foolish remarks on her hairline smh
I meant she has no time lol
Considering that you don’t have to report the ignorance opting for something positive, why are you??
..
Because they got nothing on her. She’s amazing.
Apparently they are in contention for “gold” for having the best edges!
This girl can do some amazing things with her body and we want to dis her edges?! REALLY?! Just sad. Gabby keep getting the Gold and being somebody and leave the trolls under their bridge.
Question: do those people have any edges of their own?
She looks just like anyone would with natural hair pulled back .She looks fine!
She’s probably stressed right now they’ll grow back out she’s fine
honestly i thought it was a lacefront but it looked way better from last year… but the author is right it should not be the topic of discussion… more like a thought n let it go…
She is doing her thing, and will sweat her pretty hairstyle out, leave her alone you dumb haters..
She’s out there making history and $$$. #UnbotheredByEdges
Come on my people can we stop talking about her hair and start talking about how proud we are of her for being a outstanding gymnast. Keep your head up Ms. Douglas dont you worry about those haters.
The fact that you’re posting the garbage makes it worst.
All I’ve seen is support… Why would black people get mad at her natural edges???? Its not about her edges… I’d take her gold medal edges ANYDAY!!! GET IT HUNTY!!
Some off there people complaining would say nothing if she was looking like them . With fake hair that look like you pulled it from under a rock . Fake lashes that look like you found a butterfly and put them on you eyes .Blue contacts and pink lipstick ! I could go on.
Well I guess this was going on somewhere else. No one I know cared about her edges. First heard it on here . They may have been slick when she got on the floor but all that sweating will change that. None of them had perfect hair styles. But they weren’t there to model.
“People who are hurt try to hurt other people” I’m guessing it’s because they see a talented athlete completing something monumental and they know that their lives will probably never amount to anything as great so they look for flaws in this athlete to compensate for their shortcomings.
Let’s rejoice with these phenomenal young women! Let’s not feed into the negative.
People need to leave her hair alone and worry about their own!
Who cares about her edges Just go for the Gold. Worry about edges after the Gold Medal is in hand.
Leave this child along. If you have nothing positive to say keep your mouth shut.
I am not my hair! Her hair didn’t make her who she is today. Her hair didn’t get to the Olympics. Why are people judging her hair when they should be praising her achievements!!? Her focus is where it should be…on winning medals! Forget the hair already!!
Ignorance
Exactly! Beautiful and extremely talented young woman.
This is ridiculous, when are black women going to learn to be proud and accepting of the hair that grows from our own scalp? God gave it to us. I am sure she is more focused on her routine and winning then she is her natural edges.
Bc they are ignorant.
Why would she get her hair done
When it’s ONLY GOING TO MESS UP OR SWEAT OUT ANYHOW
Petty much? aaaarrgh its always people with nothing to show for themselves who care about superficial things such as this. At least she got edges. Put yourself in her shoes! When you have an important essay or exam to study for do you care about your appearance …no! You work hard and party (doll up) later. Don’t mind them Gabby
The fact that articles like this exists further gives people’s ignorant comments even more visibility. Some stuff should just be ignored instead of adding fuel to the fire.
It’s funny I haven’t seen or heard of any negativity this time around about Gabby’s hair except for this and another page. Trying to stir up some controversy?
I thought they looked just fine. I’d like to see anyone who criticizes Gabby and Simone’s edges master the balance beam and uneven bars the way they do! Be glad that 3 of the Final Five were young women of color
Crazy. We have way more important things to concern ourselves with than her hair.
Black women are fabulous with edges without edges. We are awesome with or without hair, we are powerful sexy human beings. When God create a black women, he created a powerful being. We have the full package
People if u can for just a second think of how much stress and anxiety Olympians have to endure then her hair has got to be bottom of the list. Dealing with black hair is not easy. Let just be enthusiastic that there r 2 dynamic African American young ladies that r representing the best Olympic team in the world. These girls are fierce! I’m so proud of em.
Because they don’t have s**t else to do
Hey…leave the edges alone. They are beautiful.
Obviously because that’s the only thing they can pick with her about. Don’t worry honey, just keep moving forward and be a successful positive woman. It’s easy to lay the edges: gel or hair butter with a scarf for about an hour will slick the edges down. Truth is this young lady has more important things to do and worry about than edges.
This is a young woman who has done phenomenal things… she’s broken barriers that stood in place for years. She’s made a name for herself in history, kicked open the door for young black girls (and boys) to follow in her footsteps… she’s a business owner, clothing designer and Olympic gold medalist and all folks can do is comment on her edges! That’s simply ridiculous and smaller minded.
Because when you’re nothing but GREAT they gotta find something to talk about.
Really, this is the main focus her “edges”? learn how to congratulate others & worry about yourself ✌️#simple
Stupid
How about you worry about your edges, she worries about her craft and we sit back and see who goes farther in life.
I’m sure the main ones saying something got those ratchet ass “baby hairs” slicked down to their face with nasty ass edge control and are unhealthy as hell! This young lady is a world athlete in top notch shape. She is more concerned with winning gold medals and making history than getting bundles!! I swear my people get on my damn nerves sometimes!!
Because they can’t touch her pockets!!! #BAM
Ppl really hate theirselves to talk about a girl that can buy all you no edges urself ass..all the yaky weave for life..This girl been in the Olympics..gold metals and all..y’all really think she give to flying f**ks about ppl talking about her edges lol…While some females so concerned about looks and edges be the brokest b**ches. Smdh…
Love you Gabby… Keep doing what you doing love…
The last time I checked,I loved her hair and make-up
To have words towards another is talking about them selfs its a sin to be jealous and cannot control the deadly weapon_____ your !!!!!!
Stay strong Gabby, they can’t touch you.
At least is her hair all natural
Ugh, people have got to much time to be watching and judging others.
Leave her alone and salute her great accomplishments please
Dear African Americans, there are more important things to life then hair. Kind Regards
The reason is because we live in a vain and superficial country. Integrity, honest, moral, are not enough; people can only see the outside;
It’s crazy how people will think of anything to make fun of someone about just to talk. We all have our imperfections. Who cares about her hair? She’s in the spotlight and has a medal for being an amazing athlete, not for how her hair looks. I just don’t understand the pointless negativity and finger pointing.
People to out of place. Mind your own business people. She is a Star. May God continue to bless you young Lady. Forget these people and do your thing. Let people talk they have nothing to do with themselves.
Why is her hair even a issue, she did what she came to do and that was to WIN…#hatersgonnahate
I am so glad that God looks at the beauty of the heart of the heart. I Peter 3:4
New American Standard Bible
But let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God. God is more concerned about the internal than the external and that is what will count in the end. Be encouraged Gabby!
We all need to go on Twitter and respond to these haters. They need to understand the consequences of their ridiculous need to shade.
i got alot of respect for this young black woman shes an amazing gymnast thats all we should focus on not her hair ..why are people so cruel ..because they got sad life ..at least shes natural not like all you fake ass weavers with crusty edges underneath ..smh jus saying look at ya self before you put down a talented girl whos representing ya country
Please as Womenuplift each Other
We have to do better. Ignorance is NOT bliss. Let whomever is making these comments exert energy and sweat as often as she does and then check their own edges, IF they have any!
It’s only the ignorant destroyed black women that comment about her hair! The same ones that hate themselves, that wear the weaves, and blonde their hair to be like the white woman, that hate their natural self that God gave them (Ezekiel 16:14), that young sister is talented and beautiful just as she is, and she changed her hair because of ALL the negative comments she got before, and still these low down hefers won’t stop putting down their own race, it’s a shame how lost we are as a people!!
Pure hate
Dont do it….
They are like that because y’all forced the poor girl to get a weave/lace front after the last olympics and it took her hair out and y’all still complaining …..leave the girl alone
She is beautiful
And yet she still remains to be a gold metal Olympian. People are so simple.
We already knows what goes down with black hair when you are young and busy and your work requires you to sweat. Her priority is not in her hair. Gabby just say Hi haters.
Wear it proudly BeYOUtiful!!!
The media are no better.
That young lady is participating in a World Class competition that takes years of training and “certain ” people are taking about edges? Well I think it’s BS, just to start a debate. It can’t really be for real!! If it is then some people definitely need to get a life and get their priorities straight. I’m dying of laughter right now at the thought of these people. Go Gabby!! You totally rock with your sweated out edges that you definitely worked your a– off for. Luckily, the majority of blacks are proud of, and behind you and don’t give a rat’s a– (that word again) about your “edges!
I want these girls to come out with afros while dominating. They wanna talk? Then you control the convo by giving them something to talk about lol. ✌✊
I recall Dominique Dawes having neat hairstyles when she performed..it’s really not that hard to use a brush or comb…
OMG…Grow up people or just get your life. So very sad.
Why do people care about someone’s edges period? Who gives a shit? Baby Girl is living her dreams. She’s doing something amazing.
When the f**k did edges become a matter of life and death!? Like why are ppl so obsessed
Who ever have problem with this Girl edges how many medals do you have OK then focus on something else
Cause they mad girl keep doing you
If you wear wigs weaves fake leaves and etc. shut the F**K UP at least she natural and not afraid of walking outside like most of you bold headed rats
Ok. She is doing gymnastics people!!! She sweats!!!! I guess the haters go to the gym and sweat but their edges stay perfect!! I don’t understand why people can’t be happy and proud of what she is accomplishing. Guess trying to being someone down makes u feel better about yourself. Such a shame
PURE IGNORANCE
Because they have nothing else to do but sit their fat ass on the couch and eat donuts.
Cause they ignorant
People have nothing better to do with their lives, so they turn 2 their key board to put others down. We see the criminal rate today , so when someone are doing something constructive we should encourage them & not pull them down.
SMDH! While they are worried about her edges, she’s thinking about her next gold!
Ok black folks… You need to do better!
And why they talking about her edges she making history…..
Smh when you play a competitive sport like that your hair can’t always be slayed with the laid baby hairs, Gheesh. Meanwhile you have women spending their rent money on bundles with no place to go! #wasthatshade #absolutely
Definitely!!
she has other things on her mind instead of worrying about edges damn ppl really leave gurl alone look where she at and where are you at??
Some people are so jealous that they can’t do what she’s doing, they have to find something to criticize her about. Leave that young lady alone!
Only an ignorant person would comment on someone natural hair! So tnot worthy of a response
People need to get a life, stop hateing, get some business of your own. She is a beautiful young lady, I hope she keeps up the good Work.
But yet they’re home watching her on TV winning n s**t. Leave her alone. Have several. A bunch of Petty Bettys
She made it to the Olympics and they are worried about her edges smt
Who gives a rats ass about them edges, she’s just an awesome gymnast..Respect to Gabby & my apologies for the dumb asses..
Why are people so worried about her hair? Mostly people from our own race. Smh! She’s clearly not worried about her hair. She’s out here making history. There are more important things to worry about and her hair is not one
I swear some people are crazy and have too much time on their hands
People are so miserable with life that they had to talk about someone who is doing something with theirs to make them feel like less of a person that they really are. Leave Gabby alone. She has accomplished more in her life than over half the people that are leaving negative comments.
All the people talking negative, time you’ll get over it. #gabbydouglasaintworryingaboutedges
#Olympics #gabbydouglasrocks
Ignorant Mf’ers always got to find some way to humiliate someone else because they ain’t Poppin….Have several seats how many of y’all talking about her edges even on her level though…Negative Mf’ers
Why are they still coming for Gabby Douglas period?! And Simone Biles?!
At least she has edges!!! #pettyassn***assalwayssayingsomething ✊✊✌✌✌
If you quit writing about it no one would know or care
Some people just don’t have a life. Who cares about her Hair!
So sad, so low, but such is the fallen world we live in. The truth of the matter is, Gabby is an amazing young lady who have done, and still yet doing extraordinary things!
The up most is she is setting a positive role models for black women and girls forget her hair that’s not what’s making her famous! Since you talking about hair at least it’s her own! Plus she not ashamed of her roots! Congrats Gabby on your accomplishments and being a natural beauty❤
“Why are people…?” No you mean why are so called grown women messing with a young lady? Hmmm maybe because we as AA still have that slave mentality where we have to one up one another and point out flaws of other to impress the “Master”
Bc they have nothing better to do. Keep winning Gold and Cashing Checks!!
Some people are just so ugly on the inside and present themselves beautiful on the outside. Stupidity is incurable. But guess what she’s beautiful and great at what she does. People talking about her hair need to wear their real hair and then talk all these fake want good hair weave wearing heffers walking around talking about her hair. Pleaseeeeee
Leave this young lady alone be happy for her give her praise
Why? Because they have NOTHING positive going on in their own lives.
What unintelligent person comes up with edge control while a person is trying to win Olympics. Grow up‼️
Proud of you Gabby‼️
Small minds will do that! You know, those pigeons that stand around and you can hear the wind whistling between their ears. They have not accomplished anything worthwhile to tak about and are essentially irrelevant. Let them talk as that is all they are capable of doing.
petty, jealous, vain and haters…..plain and simple. Stop worrying about her hair……she getting gold medals, what they doing except watching her make history again…..LOL
Okay. I’ve been natural for five years and have wanted to ask this question for a long time on many different forums but never do because I don’t want drama… but today I’m asking…. why are black women obsessed with laid edges? I can just imagine the things they say about me at work and church behind my back because guess what, I don’t “lay” my edges. I let my hair return to natural to be natural, that includes my hairline… I know what a shock, a 4C hairline is going to be as kinky as the rest of her hair… gasp… yes I’m being sarcastic. I just don’t get the laid edges thing and Lord knows I have tried to understand. Right now my 4c is in jumbo goddess twists in the front and a French roll in the back, all my own natural kinky hair and there is not a fleck of gel anywhere. I brush my hairline in place in the morning and by the afternoon I have some beadies… so what, its my God given hair, I knew this is how it would do before I stopped relaxing it. I see people with full blown 4C afros or kinky twist outs and slicked down edges or gel created baby hair and just wonder… why???
black ppl r the main ones talking about other blk ppls hair
Stop posting ignorant things! Have more maturity in what you post! Good bye!
She’s natural. I like that she doesn’t want put chemicals on her hair. If she did that would b ok too. Why can’t ppl just let ppl live, smh.
Don’t have any business of their own.
Nobody was saying ANYTHING until this
First people way black women should straighten their hair. Then they say, we should go natural. A black woman is always up for some type of talk. Just leave us ALL alone and let us be great.
Who cares bet they can’t do what she has done.
I bet the ones talking about her haven’t seen their edges since the Clinton administration.
They need to stop I’ve been told you have “good hair” all my life but guess what mine can get nappy too I would love to be able to rock afro puffs n all of that mine would be a combo of afro/curly either way our hair is beautiful if she wants to wear it natural then so be it this young woman has work to out in day in and day out with goals our community will joke about anything that’s what we do but some people are crossing the line
Because they still haven’t achieved anything in life, so all they have left is their pettiness.
Hi Elizabeth, I’m a researcher who is very interested in interviewing you for my dissertation on Black women and natural hair care blogs. You have a big imprint online, and I would love to have your voice added to the collective of Black women I have been interviewing. Would you please email me at [email protected] so I can tell you more about this project? I’d greatly appreciate your help! Thank you!