People who criticize Gabby’s hair obviously don’t care about sports or at least they care more about hair than the efforts it takes to reach the top. As a fanatic sports woman, I definitely care more about sports and to say that the comments of these people deeply bother me is an understatement. To hope that Gabby or her family don’t see any of these ignorant remarks is wishful thinking. Still I wish they didn’t see any of this because I have a good idea of how it feels.

Although I absolutely cared more about the game than my hair as a former semi champion table tennis player (Suriname), a top 50 squash player (Netherlands) and a passionate volleyball player I was always concerned about my hair. Don’t get me wrong, I could care less when I was on the field. I was too eager to win to care about anything else but when it was time for a picture I never felt like a winner.

I knew my permed tresses were never in place. I actually came to terms with it and would even make fun of the straightened ends that would stick out no matter what. For a photo opt I would just pat them down in the hope that I wouldn’t look like a porcupine. To be honest even if I did, I would still have a good laughing at the image but even more when remembering the game, the action and everything that was going on. Great times, absolutely great times.

This hair thing still bothers me though. Not personally. Going natural was one of the best things I ever did for myself and I honestly don’t care what people think of my hair but it hurts me for Gabby. For this Gold Medal Olympic champion and her family.

See as someone who had it all and when I say ALL, I mean it. Besides a perm, I had a Jherry Curl, several kinds of weaves, braids, I don’t think there is anything on the planet that I haven’t tried. So as a sport fanatic who tried all of these hairstyles I can honestly tell you, nothing is or feels better than natural. Yes, I do own a business that promotes natural hair but allow me to make my case as a sports aficionado here.

See Gabby is competing in Gymnastics in a team so they all have to look alike which is great for team spirit. They ARE a great team with a pretty nice uniform. The problem is Gabby’s hair can never look like the other beautiful young ladies on the team. Not because her hair is not as beautiful but simply because her hair is genetically different.

African strands grow under an angle in different directions so it’s impossible to pat them down. Yes you can try to perm the tresses but next to the hair removal products in the beauty isle these are the harshest chemicals available. Needles to say chances are that a perm will cause damage to your hair. Especially if you need to train almost every day a woman will what we call “sweat out her perm” in no time.

Then there is the option of a weave.  I got news for you. Andrei Agassi may have been an exception as a sportsman with a weave, not so when it comes to Black women. If you want to have a bit of an idea what it feels like to play sports with a weave, I  recommend reading Andrei Agassi’s autobiography Open. It’s one of the best and honest sports biographies that I read so it wouldn’t be a waste of money if you’d only buy it to read what goes through ones mind when entering center court with a weave on.

So when I see Black women in sports wearing weaves, I always wonder how they do it. I personally just couldn’t deal with my sweaty scalp under the fake hair. All kinds of conditioners, greases and gel would mix up with my perspiration drops and pile up until I had time to remove the additional hair. I really tried because it was easy wearing a weave. At least for a while I didn’t have to bother with my hair but I just couldn’t do it. That doesn’t mean that I do not admire those who can though. I applaud them for caring as much about the sport they love as well as for their looks and do it so well. I think I may even be getting a little jealous here. I wish I cared as much about my looks that much to go that extra mile.

Not that I would choose a weave. My choice would still be a natural one. Although my braids were also fake and one time a few of them shamefully came out during training, I still think braids are one of the best options when playing sports. This easy maintenance get-up-and-go do is still my go-to style when I am busy. Another choice would be cornrows like Gold Medalist Lucie Decosse or to rock a fro like my new favorite Megan Hodge who had 18 kills yesterday. 

I wonder if Gabby had a choice though. As fabulous and as tight as she and her teammates are, I just guess that in the spirit of the team little Miss Douglas would have complied to any uniformity the gymnasts came up with without even giving hair a thought.

Black women are so used to the unwritten hair etiquette that our hair norms have been based on a texture that is completely different from our natural strands for centuries. The sad part of this story is that too many of us don’t realize this. If people would only realize this then the choice of what hairstyle, weave or afro an athlete was wearing would not cause controversy. Instead we would cheer on the fabulous five wearing Afro Puffs without giving it another thought.  

Going Natural Hair Care for Natural Hairstyles for African American Women