This is not the primary time that Biles has obtained criticism for daring to permit her pure texture to point out in public. And I can not determine if it is higher or worse that the most recent criticisms are concerning what she regarded like at her wedding ceremony, of all locations, fairly than whereas doing gymnastics or figuring out — , when she must be anticipated to be sweaty and raveled.
No matter her skilled athleticism, it shouldn’t be surprising to see a Black lady’s pure hair texture in any context. There are solely so many chemical therapies, sizzling instruments, and different methods that may be executed to take the kinks and curls out of Black hair, however these are all short-term as a result of, on the finish of the day, your hair texture is your hair texture. What do you anticipate her to do?
Sadly, this incident was one other reminder of the anti-Black and texturist requirements Black folks nonetheless should face every day, even with issues such because the CROWN Act in place. By Western society’s requirements, straight hair is seen as higher, in any other case lengthy, free curls are seen as extra fascinating than the tightly coiled kinks that many Black people have. Even the pure hair motion has positioned an aggressive quantity of concentrate on combatting shrinkage by stretching out hair and defining coils and kinks into one thing that appears “executed up.” The underlying message continuously being delivered to Black folks is that the kinkier and shorter your hair is, the much less “acceptable” it’s.
I’ve seen loads of people complain about a lot of these pointless requirements that Black hair has been held to in Western cultures. Positive, attempting to undo the texturism these unrealistic requirements stem from feels practically inconceivable for on a regular basis people, due to systemic oppression. However on the identical time, how many people have actively used these requirements as a method to criticize our personal hair or that of others?
It is those self same unattainable requirements that at the moment are getting used towards Biles, as soon as once more, on what ought to have been probably the greatest days of her life. She has textured hair — recover from it, and thoughts your corporation.
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