At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history, continues to shine with seven Olympic and 30 World Championship medals. Yet, despite her extraordinary achievements, a segment of the internet remains fixated on a less relevant topic: her hair.
Biles has long demonstrated resilience in her career, navigating media scrutiny while staying focused and motivated. She has been open about her struggles with mental health and the emotional significance of her hair—a topic that resonates with many Black women.
Afro-centric or kinky hair is known for its thickness and large follicles, often requiring protective hairstyles. Growing up, I, like many Black women, used styles such as box braids, cornrows, and buns to protect my hair. As I grew older, I switched to sew-ins—hair extensions sewn onto braided natural hair—both for aesthetics and to avoid ridicule from peers.
Similarly, Biles has faced derogatory remarks about her appearance. Despite her legendary status in gymnastics, her hair often becomes a point of criticism. In 2023, following her wedding to Jonathan Owens, online comments focused on perceived imperfections in her hairstyle. Now, at the 2024 Olympics, her hair, styled in a simple bun, is still drawing unwarranted attention.
For Black women, hair represents more than just a physical attribute. It is a symbol of identity, self-expression, and autonomy. Unfortunately, Black women frequently encounter discrimination based on their hair at school, work, and beyond. Some regions have even introduced laws to combat such biases. The history of discrimination against Black hair reflects a painful journey toward acceptance and respect.
In a July 2024 interview with Elle, Biles discussed how years of negative comments have affected her relationship with her hair. “I never thought about my hair the way other people see it,” Biles shared. “I don’t want my extensions falling out or anything like that—we don’t get to bring a makeup artist or hairstylist.”
As a Black woman, I have also endured harsh comments about my hair. Such criticisms can deeply impact one’s self-esteem and confidence. Society has long criticized Black hairstyles, whether for not wearing natural hair or for alleged issues with styling. Even when Black women choose to wear their hair naturally, they often face negative comments.
Biles’ candidness about her hair journey is empowering. It offers inspiration to other Black women and encourages acceptance of natural hair. I wish I had a role model like Biles when I was younger to guide me through the process of embracing my hair. Black hair may differ from societal norms, but it should never diminish the respect Black women deserve. In Biles’ case, it underscores her status as a multi-gold medalist and an inspiring figure.