“What’s Wrong With My Hair?”

Dear Readers,

 

Below AOL from the Huffington Post regarding Gabby Douglas Hair …It originally struck me one way as, oh how I wish all girls would have Gabby Douglas attitude. But then it struck me in a different way (confirmed by her mother’s comments) which is the bigger story a story all about the perfect example of the ugly, the jealous and the stupid. 

 

LONDON — Women’s gymnastics all-around champion Gabby Douglas likes her hairstyle just fine, thanks.

 

The 16-year-old said Sunday she was a little confused when she logged onto her computer after winning her second gold medal in three days and discovered people were debating her pulled-back look.

 

“I don’t know where this is coming from. What’s wrong with my hair?” said Douglas, the first U.S. gymnast to win gold in team and all-around competition. “I’m like, `I just made history and people are focused on my hair?’ It can be bald or short, it doesn’t matter about (my) hair.”

 

Douglas uses gel, clips and a ponytail holder to keep things in place while she competes, a style she’s worn for years.

 

“Nothing is going to change,” she said. “I’m going to wear my hair like this during beam and bar finals. You might as well just stop talking about it.”

 

The bubbly teenager is the first African-American gymnast to win her sport’s biggest prize. She had no idea she was lighting up social media until she Google herself hours after winning her gold medal.

 

“I don’t think people should be worried about that,” she said. “We’re all champions and we’re all winners. I just say that it’s kind of, a stupid and crazy thought to think about my hair.”

-Huffington Post

 

But then a few days later her Mother Natalie Hawkins spoke out:

 

“How ignorant is it of people to comment on her hair and she still has more competitions to go. Are you trying to ruin her self confidence?” Hawkins told Fashionista.com. “She has to go out there and feel good about herself, and if she feels good about herself on that floor, who are you to criticize her? What have you done to help contribute to her dream, that you felt it necessary to put it out there so that she could see it.”

 

And Hawkins adds there’s more to why her daughter’s hair may look unkempt to the critics (who Hawkins assesses have mostly been African American women).

 

“She lives with a white host family and they don’t know anything about taking care of her hair,” said Hawkins. “And there’s no black salons in their area [in Iowa] –- not one. We had to work really hard to find a stylist to come and do her hair.”

 

“Gabby’s coach Liang Chow agrees. He told Hawkins — “She’s beautiful. You don’t need to change her hair. We need to focus on training. Hair is secondary.”

 

Here is the bigger story, Why does our society feel it is OK to criticize others for doing nothing wrong but yet a man who shoots innocent victims in a movie theater is called “an alleged shooter” commanding more respect then a hard working 16 year old girl who has sacrificed so much to represent her country with honor and dignity.

 

It is NOT OK for people to attack young girls about their appearance much less the ones who have made wonderful choices in life and who are doing incredible things to better their life and others! They put themselves out for the world to see without any guarantees?  Trying their hardest in front of millions to witness the slightest error and never to be forgotten, now that takes guts that only a few own! 

 

Let me make myself perfectly clear, it is NOT OK to say what ever you want just because it is on your brain, you need a filter between your brains and your mouth and people should rise up and protect others from the jealous, the greedy and the envious… This only comes from minds that hate! AND have no place in a (good and decent) society. Mean and critical words breaks hearts, rocks the once confident and jade the young…stand up, unite, do not tolerate the mean and nasty spewing from the entitled and spiteful.

 

AND by the way…

 

…Did I have the only Mother in the world that said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

 

Personally I never noticed any of the girl’s hair in any of the Olympic events (completely blown over by their ability and everything they did to get to this point) but now that I’m staring at their heads, I think Gabby’s hair and everyone else’s looks great! They all are incredible athletes with a job and a purpose and not one of their responsibilities entails caring about what their hair looks like (thank goodness!) 

 

Asklotta and staff is MINDING YOUR BUSINESS with wide accepting arms for all those who work hard at life, trying their very best to live a life with honor, dignity and completely un-entitled…regardless if they have any hair at all.

 

Again, it has been my pleasure to tell you what to do and what NOT to do!

 

Kindest regards,

 

Asklotta

 

President and CEO

 

CBCorp

 

“Standard-Bearer!”

Dear Readers,

 

As chaos swirls in my house here I sit in my favorite coffee shop, surrounded my familiar faces and gestures of kindness. My hair wet from a shower, twisted and clipped to the top of my head. Sipping on the most delicious de-caf coffee while music by Train playing in the background at 4 in the afternoon. I have the perfect mix of feelings, physically exhausted and happy about my day.

 

Sadly though I had to say good-by to Emma early this morning (please see yesterday’s post). She missed the cut by one stroke. Selfishly I wish she was still in the hunt but I know and I am convinced there will be no stopping her in the future. She is success bound and I am thrilled our paths crossed, life was made a little sweeter! Another meaningful consequence!

 

Today was my first day to volunteer at the Women’s Amateur Golf Tournament. I am one of the many volunteers. I must confess I sometimes forget how old I am and I sign-up or volunteer or register for many activities that may be more “be-fitting” for someone younger but today I was thrilled of my stupidity mistake! I was a Standard Bearer for two phenomenal golfers.

 

Emily Childs from Alameda California graduated from University of California 2012  

 

Jayvie Agojo, from Los Banos Laguna, Philippines, graduated from Pepperdine College 2009

 

Let me explain to those who do not know what a Standard- Bearer is or their responsibilities. I was the one today following Childs and Agojo around the golf course with a huge metal sign strapped to my body displaying their names and scores for today’s Match Play (updating scores for each hole) for the spectators’ benefit.

 

I had a white strap that hung around my neck and right shoulder.  At the bottom of the strap was a piece to secure the end of the metal pole for the sign to fit securely in. If I had to guess the height of the sign from top to bottom it would be about five feet three inches and when all is said and done (secured in) it hung from about the top of my thighs to a great towering height over me.  So for today I stood at least six plus feet with my sign towering over me as I followed two incredible young females around a golf course for 18 holes with the added benefit of witnessing magnificent golf and having loads and loads of fun, it was a blast!

 

I know I am beginning to sound like a never ending beating drum but the girls today was just amazing! Never short of talent, graciousness, diligence, maturity, or kindness. From my position (up close and personal) I saw a visible display of good sportsmanship and hard work from both Childs and Agojo.

 

At times I would seek coverage from the hot sun, Agojo would put up her umbrella to get some relief but Childs stood cool and strong definitely a beauty of grace under fire with a smile and always a kind word of encouragement for me.

 

The girls shook my hand and thanked me for volunteering. Emily Childs was most gracious and appreciative for all and every volunteer that crossed her path. She went out of her way to introduce her self in the very beginning and thanked me as well as other volunteers for our help. Childs is the real deal, she plays for the love of the game and it is perfectly clear to everyone and anyone that has a minute to see her on or off the golf course.

 

I had the opportunity to meet Emily’s mother and younger sister (her younger sister is a golfer but was cut from yesterday’s elimination round). Trust me on this one you do not have to look very far to see how and why Emily and Carly Childs are such great athletes, displayed great sportsmanship and are true winners, the world is at their fingertips!

 

Asklotta and staff will MIND YOUR BUSINESS today with a smile on my face and facing another day of volunteering with strength and determination to strap on my sign with honor for another round of exceptional golf played by exceptional women!

 

Again, it has been my pleasure to tell you what to do and what NOT to do!

 

Kindest regards,

 

Asklotta

 

President and CEO

 

CBCorp