ESSENCE’s Gen Z editor Brooklyn White responds to critiques of Naomi Osaka’s withdrawal from the French Open and Wimbledon, Sha’Carri Richardson’s disqualification from the Olympics and Simone Biles’ decision to pull out from the womens gymnastics competition at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.
Each has discussed feeling pressure during high points in their athletic careers. Sanctimoniousness is telling. It exposes the cracks in one’s own armor instead of the shoddy craftsmanship of another’s, alerting that there are still gaps where understanding should rest.
For some of us, haughtiness is a default, especially in public spaces. The “perfect” people and their human moment is the center of attention.
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