Black American women gearing up for the 2024 Olympics are in the spotlight for their athletic prowess and their hair. Kendall Ellis, a 28-year-old sprinter, plans to highlight her natural kinky hair texture while competing in Paris. She excitedly shared that one of her first thoughts after qualifying was about her hair. Ellis intends to wear sew-in extensions that match her natural texture, emphasizing the importance of representation on a global stage.
Other athletes, like water polo goalkeeper Ashleigh Johnson and track stars Brittany Brown and Anna Cockrell, view their hair as personal expression. Brown, who will race in the 200-meter sprint, believes looking good contributes to running fast.
Historically, Black women in athletics have faced scrutiny over their hair. From Venus Williams’ penalization for her beaded hairstyle to gymnasts like Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles being ridiculed. Ketra Armstrong, director of the Center for Race and Ethnicity in Sport at the University of Michigan, notes that this new generation of athletes is pushing back against hair discrimination. They are reclaiming their natural beauty and rejecting outdated standards.
For example, swimmer Simone Manuel has publicly shared her hair care routine. Sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson is known for colorful wigs and intricate braids. At the Paris Olympics, Black women athletes will continue this trend. They prioritize styles that make them feel stylish and beautiful while protecting their natural hair.
Johnson, who will compete in her third Olympics, plans to wear cornrows to protect her hair during water polo matches. She emphasizes the importance of maintaining hair health. She feels camaraderie with other Black women athletes who share hair care tips and resources.
Despite those unspoken rules and challenges, these athletes continue to embrace their natural hair, proving that beauty and strength go hand in hand.
How do you think showcasing natural hairstyles on such a global stage impacts representation and confidence for young Black girls worldwide?
