The 2012 Summer Olympics were most likely the most talked about Olympics so far due to media coverage and social networking sites. One of the success stories we've all heard about was that of Gabby Douglas, a two-time gold medalist in gymnastics. Unfortunately, instead of praising her achievements, after her Olympic debut, all of the world was concerned about her hairdo. According to this article on the Washington Post by Lauren McEwen, Gabby Douglas and her ponytail: what's all the fuss about?, "black Twitter lit up with comments from both men and women, complaining that her 'do looked unkempt." This article brings to light, along with an article posted on the NY Daily News by Joyce Chen, Gabby Douglas to Oprah, how skewed the focus of today's society is placed on females, even those that are high achievers. In Gabby's conversations with Oprah, she talks about her decision to quit gymnastics prior to the Olympics because of racial slurs she received in her training gymnasium.
Photo courtesy of Rolling Stone Magazine, Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Instead of congratulating Gabby Douglas, on her not one, but two, Olympic gold medals in gymnastics, we're so focused on something so insignificant. Unfortunately for Gabby, she can't seem to escape torment. If Gabby had quit after facing adversity in her training gym, due to racial slurs like being called slave, it's quite possible the USA could have two fewer Olympic gold medals. Gabby Douglas can be an inspiration to girl's across America to continue fighting against the media and "haters" that don't want to see you succeed. It also tells girls not to let the criticism of others bring you down when you have achieved success. However, the harsh ridicule Gabby has faced can also send another message, don't try. What's the point in trying if even when you do succeed, you're ridiculed and mocked from women and men alike? It's a hard situations for girls to decipher whether or not success is worth the taunts of others.
The indirect and direct message shoved into girls' heads that they must exemplify beauty and poise at all times is yet again enforced through her situation. If her hair had been professionally done, she would've been a more presentable "lady" of the United States. Although, it's more likely that if her hair had been done, they would have found something else ridiculous to complain about. All across the media, women are airbrushed, their hair is done, makeup is caked on, and they are fashionably dressed to be the ideal image of what a girl/lady/woman is supposed to look like at all times. However unrealistic, it's unfortunately the norm of society. It's important for girls and women alike to pay attention to these messages and not fall prey. Just like Gabby Douglas, her poise against the adversity she faced should be praised along with her achievements, instead of focusing on her hair. Girls need to receive the message to chase your dreams, not the message to worry about how pretty you look while you're on the journey to success.
