Vogue recently recognized Simone Biles as the greatest gymnast in history, based on her exceptional achievements and dominance in the sport, including winning multiple gold medals and breaking unprecedented records. Despite these remarkable accomplishments, Biles continues to face significant criticism about her personal life, primarily from the online community.
One contentious topic is her husband, Jonathan Owens, wearing her medal after she won at the Paris Olympics. This act sparked strong opposition from some women on social media, such as a notable female TikToker. A user commented that people urged Biles to divorce her husband, but they did not suggest that the infamous but turbulent couple Blueface and Chrisean Rock break up, despite their violent and unstable relationship.
Simone Biles also faces substantial criticism regarding her natural hair. It seems that societal pressure on Black women to maintain a perfect appearance remains heavy, even when they are performing at the highest levels. These criticisms often come from within the community, creating a double standard and unreasonable pressure on Black women.
Many defend Biles, emphasizing that her natural hair is the best choice for her sport, where she is constantly moving and sweating. They argue that the criticism of her hair is unfounded and reflects deeper societal issues, including internalized racism and misogyny.
The article also discusses the contrast in how women like Biles and other public figures such as Sha’Carri Richardson are treated. It suggests that societal and community expectations often unfairly target women who do not conform to specific beauty standards or behaviors. While Richardson, with her wigs and long nails, is often praised, Biles faces criticism.
Simone Biles, with all her achievements and greatness, does not deserve to be treated this way. Instead of criticizing unrelated aspects of her appearance and personal life, we should celebrate her accomplishments and support her in her future endeavors. The criticism about her appearance and personal life only highlights the discrimination and injustice in society, which we need to change.
