ORE O (12S)

When reflecting upon who inspired me many names came to mind; Letitia Wright, Michelle Obama, Winnie Harlow… Just to name a few. However, I could only pick one and that would be Simone Biles. It’s not just because of her outstanding amount of Olympic medals, 7 out of 11 of them being gold, but it’s because of the representation she holds for many young Black women. Her dedication towards the sport was not enough to keep critics quiet as they only went on to comment on her hair, claiming it was undone and nappy, a narrative that has been pushed for years but she continues to wear her natural hair out proud. This is an insecurity within the black community and having such representation in the media has encouraged many. This visibility and the confidence in her culture is affirming, helping many feel proud of their own identities.

However, I believe we should not discredit other inspirational Black individuals, whether it’s those that are in the spotlight or even those around us such as our sisters, brothers, mothers or fathers, who have all contributed to the identity and pride in being black today.