Why Is Beauty Such A Big Deal?

So, I woke up today reading the headlines on Gabby Douglas’ hair. Yes, her hair. Not her OLYMPIC GOLD MEDAL, not her HUGE ACCOMPLISHMENT AT THE TENDER AGE OF 20… but… her. hair. Again. smh.

Listen. Ladies. I knowwwwwww we WORSHIP our hair & style. I get that. Historically, Black people have always been the trendsetters, the show stoppers and the creators of the flyest fashion statements on earth. We are bar none in the style department. If we ever feel broken inside for whatever reason, others surely wont know because we slay so well, outwardly. But if we’re honest, therein lies the problem.

I remember being as young as 12 years old, being teased by my peers for not keeping up with the trends. Its not that i didnt want to necessarily… we were poor (and homeless) at the time, so we simply could not afford the finer things that were such a norm in school. Still, i’ve neverrr been much of a fashionista, even now at 26 years old, im just beginning to find my own personal style as i connect with my inner self. I have always placed significance in other things like school and accomplishing my dreams. Now in NO way shape or form am I shaming those who place significance in fashion and style. We all have different passions and that is what makes us brilliant, that is what makes the world go round. But what I DO have a problem with, are those that choose to attack those of us that choose not to place value on outer things. Growing up, i was teased constantly, for not placing value on fashion and style. Even today as full grown adults, people still dont understand and comment negatively on my lack of fashion sense. And now I see this same thing being done to not only Gabby, but also Leslie Jones, Serena Williams, Viola Davis and even precious baby Blue Ivy, for their looks.

These negative comments are being conveyed by OUR OWN PEOPLE. Why do we view that as appropriate??

Even further, WHY are we so hateful of our hair in its natural state? Why do we look down on our own African features?

Why arent we celebrating our young sister’s accomplishments? So many questions, very few answers…

This brings me to my main question: Why is beauty such a big deal? Not only in regards to fashion & style, but looks period. Outer beauty is such a taboo topic, for those who arent seen as beautiful by traditional society standards. Why do we put so much stock in beauty, as if we are deemed completely unworthy for not being traditionally beautiful? I know it sounds corny, but we put way too much importance on the outer self, and yet we neglect the inner self. The outer self stays ‘fresh to death’ while our inner selves are literally dying. We spend our last dollars on clothes, shoes, purses and hair, and we spend little to no money on building the inner components that ultimately matter when looks fade involuntarily.

I know i’m preaching to the choir, but if we could have a RESPECTFUL and productive conversation as brothers and sisters, I would sincerely like to know the reasoning behind why many of us are so quick to put our own down. Who is responsible for the hate we have in our hearts for ourselves in our natural state? What will it take for us to learn to accept people as they are, whether they are fashion divas or book worms.. or both?

Its pretty clear right now, that we are the ONLY ones that we have in this world. In a world where the media is constantly looking for reasons to tear us down and tear us apart, we should be that much more committed to uplifting one another, ESPECIALLY when one of our own accomplishes a feat as impactful as Gabby.

Gabby is beautiful. Leslie is beautiful. Viola is beautiful and Serena is beautiful…. not just outwardly, but also by the basis of which REAL beauty is measured… the heart and soul.