TV One’s Roland S. Martin Says Gabby Douglas Backlash is Rooted in Black Self-Hatred

*Today on “News One Now,” Host and Managing Editor Roland S. Martin spoke with panelists Barbara Arnwine and NBC Black Contributor Lauren Victoria Burke about the extreme backlash of Olympic gold medalist Gabrielle “Gabby” Douglas’ hair while competing in the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. During the conversation, Martin said that the attack on Douglas showcases the deeply rooted self-hatred in the Black community.

“These attacks on Gabrielle Douglas, largely by African Americans, about her hair speak to also deep seeded internal self-hatred that goes beyond entertainers that actually happens in our families, that happens at church,” said Martin. ”I’m removing Gabrielle Douglas; I’m saying this is something we have to continue with. It is so deep seeded because we have been conditioned to hate blackness.”