She Don’t Wanna Play No Mo’

There has been so much buzz around the highly anticipated Olympics. So many black women showing up, out here breaking records, reminding so many of how amazingly dope we are, taking over land, air and water. Melanin poppin’ for real, what a sight to see.

Just as quickly as the praises rang out for so many black women showing up the criticism was even louder when black women step an inch over the line and choose their mental health over competing. Black women, Sha’carri Richardson is torn to shreds smoking a joint to cope with the grief of her mother who passed away days before she competes on the world stage. As she is told she won’t be able to compete in the Olympics while this was front and center as the Olympics began. It doesn’t even shock me anymore.

Simone Biles who needs no introduction has won 25 medals, 19 gold, 3 bronze and 3 silver. If that isn’t enough for you to believe she’s the GOAT take a read yourself. As I scrolled through IG post, Tik Tok, read tweets, listened to the news I was once again disappointed. Disappointed in the sheer fact that black women are literally the most unprotected in the world.

Simone decided she was no longer going to compete in the Olympics so that she could take care of her mental. Let me first say I am a complete novice of gymnastics love to watch, much respect to the men and women who compete and participate this is no easy feat at all. With that said as I watch Simone I am amazed at her ability to do what she does, in the AIR! To literally be the best at the sport should be enough to let this woman decide what she wants to do with her body and her mind. She has endured so much that many wouldn’t be able to even read through let alone live through.

Mental health is top priority for all. The mental health of all BLACK Women should be highly protected. There is no way to adequately explain the depths of what black women must do on a daily basis to simply just BE without any black lash of their decisions. In the midst of grieving a loved one, preparing for the most I am sure nerve wrecking competition of her life Sha’carri Richardson with smokes a blunt, ripped to shreds and told we need to find a better way to cope. Can’t wear bright colored hair it’s ghetto, don’t wear long nails with art its considered ghetto. Yet when white women do it they are deemed so artistic. If white women wear colorful hair they are cool, trendy, being expressive in the own way. If you choose your mental health over competing we are told we are you are being selfish, weak and we are less than an athlete. Yet, Novak Djokovic literally has a meltdown after bashing Simone’s decision just two days before on Twitter.

Black women seem to only be enough for folks when you want to learn what we do so you can attempt to duplicate us. Mental health seems to be okay to choose for everyone else but for black women. It is exhausting to hear of, read about, and live through.

Simone Biles chose her mental health and space over the need to push through to be strong in the eyes of commentators, fellow athletes, and the world. What we are all missing is her ability to choose herself gave her teammates the opportunity to come through and shine. She took a step to the side so that she could continue to love and support her teammates.

Let’s all take a page from Simone’s book. Choose you every single time. If it doesn’t serve you, leave. Don’t let the world or people in your circle push you to continue to do things that don’t make you happy. Take your time to breath, do what makes your heart and soul sing!