Gabby Douglas‘ haters, the world is coming for you. The two-time Olympic gymnast has been killing it at the Rio Games — earning gold as a member of the “Final Five” team on Tuesday, August 9. And yet too many Internet commenters seem to only be able to talk about her hair. Well, no more!
Douglas, 20, was first targeted for her natural locks, which she prefers to style in a neat topknot, at the 2012 Games in London. At the time, social media commenters complained that small wisps were escaping from her bun. (You try defying gravity while keeping your hair perfectly coiffed.)
PHOTOS: Team USA’s Beauty Game Deserves a Gold Medal, Too
“What’s wrong with my hair?” Douglas, who is the first woman of color to become the Individual All-Around Champion, said at the time. “I’m like, I just made history and people are focused on my hair? It can be bald or short; it doesn’t matter… Nothing is going to change. I’m going to wear my hair like this during beam and bar finals. You might as well stop talking about it.”
PHOTOS: 25 Things You Don’t Know About Gabby Douglas
Somehow, four years later, she’s still fielding the same negative commentary. But this time around, Twitter has come out strong in Douglas’ defense:
Our community is being systematically oppressed & eliminated and you want to come for #GabbyDouglas hair? Shame on you. Do better ??
— Terri Lomax (@TerriLomax) August 9, 2016
If you were mad about Gabby’s hair in 2012…& you’re mad about it AGAIN in 2016…that’s not her lack of growth, but yours. #GabbyDouglas
— Ocielia Gibson (@Ocielia) August 9, 2016
Imagine all the amazing things #GabbyDouglas haters could do if they worked on themselves instead of worrying about her lovely hair
— Budgielove@Dragoncon (@StefanieandAdam) August 9, 2016
Gabby Douglas is doing amazing things for African American gymnasts and all people are focused on is criticizing her hair. Do better people.
— Aderinsola Solebo (@AdeSolebo) August 8, 2016
While y’all are talking bad about Gabby Douglas hair do y’all EVEN. HAVE. A PASSPORT. TO MAKE IT. TO RIO?!?!! pic.twitter.com/wIWh8NzSXJ
— KC ??? (@theBanji23) August 8, 2016
Don’t focus on Gabby Douglas hair while its attached to some1 who has accomplished more this week than you have & EVER will in your life.
— Skeeeup Baeless (@SayImSha) August 8, 2016
Matter of fact anyone dragging Gabby Douglas hair we want to see you flip on a balance beam RIGHT now. We’ll wait. pic.twitter.com/J1DflllRxv
— ℑudy Ƭargaryen ?? (@ShesSweetVenom) August 10, 2016
Haters, 0. Internet, 100.
