(Dmytro “Henry” Aleksandrov, Headline USA) While actual news sources inform the public about what’s going on in this world, the New York Times publishes an article on its front page about how black women who like to ride on horses can’t find helmets for their thick hair.
The “Pulitzer Prize material” titled “Black Equestrians Want to Be Safe. But They Can’t Find Helmets” was published on Friday and talks about how horse-riding is “a sport that remains overwhelmingly white.”
“Chanel Robbins has been riding horses most of her life, ever since her grandmother traded a cow from their family’s farm in Ontario for a pony when she was 7,” the piece begins.
“About eight years ago, she reconnected with her father, a native of Jamaica. As the two grew closer, Ms. Robbins decided to style her hair in locks, like her dad. But there was a problem: Her riding helmet no longer fit, and she couldn’t find one that did.”
Instead of making a sacrifice as all people who are involved in any kind of sport do, Robbins demanded the world change for her.
“I finally freaking feel like myself, and now society is asking me to change. I just want to be able to ride,” she said.
Robbins, however, is not the only black person who feels that, instead of cutting one’s hair, the whole world must change instead.
“Black equestrians have long felt virtually invisible in a sport that remains overwhelmingly white. For those with natural hair, which for many is a declaration of pride and black identity, finding a helmet that fits properly can be nearly impossible, creating yet another barrier to full inclusion,” the Times wrote.
“Some are now lobbying for change, mindful that horseback riding is among the leading causes of sports-related traumatic brain injury.”
Horse-riding helmet manufacturers stated that they are aware of the “problem,” but said that it is not going to be an easy fix, since it will take a lot of time to produce something that is not even profitable since it targets a very niche market — thick-haired black women who refuse to cut their hair.
Even the leftist readers of the Times criticized Robbins.
“If you play a sport that requires your body to be a particular shape – whether it’s the weight for football, height for basketball, a minimal hairstyle for riding or shaving body hair for swimmers – you do it,” one person, whose comment was top-voted 800+ times, wrote.
“Demanding that things be changed because you prefer a particular look is entitled and unrealistic. I imagine the helmet manufacturers will give the correct responses and do nothing.”
