Appearance Bias in Gymnastics
Black gymnasts are often judged on this instead of their actual performance.
What is Their appearance?
In gymnastics, judging often favors athletes who have these specific features.
What is Eurocentric features?
Gabby Douglas was criticized for this immediately after winning gold in 2012.
What is Her hair?
Felton tells her niece that society will try to place Black women in these.
What is Narrow roles and labels?
Asiegbu argues that judges prefer gymnasts who have this type of look.
What is The “elegant” European-style look?
This physical trait in Black gymnasts is often misinterpreted as “less graceful.”
What is Strength or muscular build?
These standards influence ideas about femininity and “professionalism” in sports.
What is Eurocentric beauty standards?
This platform was the main source of insults against Gabby’s hairstyle.
What is Social Media?
Felton encourages Black women to define this for themselves.
What is Their identity?
According to Asiegbu, gymnasts of color often score lower because they lack this “particular” aesthetic.
What is The slender, delicate European build?
Simone Biles faced criticism for this aspect of her body, despite her record-breaking routines.
What is Her muscular physique?
Black gymnasts’ hair and bodies are criticized because they don’t match this type of gymnasts.
What is Slender, light-skinned European-style gymnasts?
This platform was the main source of insults against Gabby’s hairstyle.
What is Anti-Black hair Discrimination/coded racism?
Felton explains that she often felt pushed to hold back or minimize herself, represented by this action.
What is Shrinking or hiding herself
This trait, often seen in Black gymnasts, is overlooked by judges even though it is crucial for the sport.
What is Power or muscular strength?
The essay shows that appearance bias is tied to broader societal pressures Black women face every day.
What is The pressure to fit white beauty expectations?
Felton discusses how Black girls feel pressured to do this to fit Eurocentric norms.
What is Hide or shrink parts of themselves?
Gabby responded to the backlash by saying this line.
What Is “Are you kidding me? I just made history, and you’re focusing on my hair?”
The essay connects Felton’s commentary to gymnasts who face appearance criticism because they refuse to do this.
What is Conform to Eurocentric standards?
Asiegbu states that judging bias comes from these long-standing ideas about race and femininity.
What is White-centered expectations of what femininity should look like
This phrase reflects how even extraordinary talent can be dismissed when whiteness is treated as the default standard of “grace.”
What is Treating whiteness as the default?
Eurocentric standards affect not only judging, but also THIS form of public perception the essay mentioned.
What is Media portrayal of Black women athletes?
Gabby’s experience illustrates how society prioritizes appearance over this in Black women athletes.
What is Their accomplishments or athletic excellence/ talent
Felton’s message reflects the need for THIS as Black women navigate spaces not built for them.
What is Self-definition and confidence?
The essay references Asiegbu to show that scoring bias reflects THIS larger historical issue in sports.
What is The marginalization of Black women in “feminine” sports?
(The underrepresentation of Black women in sports defined by white femininity)