Why are you sticking up for Gabby Douglas?

Gabrielle Union, Rebecca Sive, Jason Whitlock, Dominique Dawes, and about half of the twitterverse.  That is a shortlist of those defending Gabby Douglas. But why?

First, let's look at what are they defending her about. Social-media sites and other platforms have begun to criticize a 16 year old, who represented our country at the Olympic Games and has won two gold medals to date. The reason, of all things, is the upkeep of her hair. That's right, I said, her hair!

Really? Why would you bully a 16 year old? What did your hair look like at sixteen? What record setting accomplishments had you achieved at sixteen?

That's me at seventeen. I challenge you to go to our Facebook page and post a photo of you and your hair at 1sixteen.  Put Gabby in the comment section. The Re-DeFined Project

All of this is confusing to me. Apparently it is to Gabby as well ."I don't know where this is coming from. What's wrong with my hair?" said Gabby http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/05/gabby-douglas-hair-olympics-2012_n_1743897.html?utm_hp_ref=style

People need to find something else to criticize,’’ Damone Roberts says. “She’s a teenager who, God forbid, spends more time on her craft than she does her hair.  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/08/02/gabby-douglas-takes-two-olympic-golds-and-hair-criticism.html

I cannot explain why this is a topic of discussion. Perhaps it is an example of crab mentality, or maybe it is self hatred. Or, just maybe it is a glaring, revealing insight into our value system. Have we taught our young people to value appearances over accomplishments, perms over personality, becoming popular over becoming purposeful?
  

Did you know that the odds of winning an Olympic gold medal are said to be approximately 22,000,000 to 1? Women's gymnastics all-around champion Gabby Douglas has won 2! I do not believe that it is a happenstance that if you rearrange Gabby's last name Douglas it reads USA Gold!

Gabby is doing what she was purposed to do! She is an Olympic champion, Impacting Communities, Encouraging Leaders, and Inspiring Hope in millions. We salute you Gabrielle Douglas! Fulfilling purpose is not easy work that begins in six-inch heels, a perfectly tailored suit and makeup.Purpose  requires hard work, sweat, and many unglamorous moments. The Olympics are not reality television where one can freshen up for every camera take. It is real life played out in front of us.

Let us be encouraging to young people who are willing to "Go Hard In The Paint" to achieve their goals. Let us lift them up rather than tear them down. Let us be above these types of petty discussions that attempt to tarnish the accomplishments of young people. Let us stick up for every Gabby Douglas out there!

For those who insist on continuing this meaningless, frivolous fixation on an extraordinary, Olympic gold medalist's hair, this video should help to cure that.

I am not my hair.
https://www.facebook.com/theredefinedproject?ref=hl

Jody McPhearson
Impacting Communities, Encouraging Leaders, Inspiring Hope
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