Times Magazine names Simone Biles “Athlete of The Year” But How Much is Mental Health Regarded In Society

Written by Sabrina Giles

This year, mental health has been one of the ongoing topics regarding people living in the pandemic. For Simone Biles, criticisms regarding her being dubbed “Athlete of The Year” by Time Magazine had brought most back to when she decided to drop out of the Tokyo Olympics in the middle of its duration in need of maintaining a handle on the “yips;” a legitimate mental obstacle. The announcement has since caused polarizing reactions, some shaming the gymnast and accusing her of misrepresenting America against other countries, prioritizing her performance over her health. Others were wholly transparent and supportive of her decision. It is imperative to recognize how mental health in society is constantly misconstrued and ostracized to gain selfish needs.

Biles aggrandized as rightfully deserved for a woman of her status. The appraisal was seemingly persistent, with no room for impeding. However, a massive title like this would also bring some unexpected responsibilities on their behalf. It is no longer about the individual. A commonality of lumping such responsibility on a person leaves them with no alternative. Besides, more pressure produces more stressful results. That sounds simplistic alone since most know what happens. At least, under that impression, because many people deal with mundane activities and find a way to manage them, for how long? Fame and mental health are often not accounted for in these kinds of scenarios because of the ideology that famous individuals strive to maintain perfectionism without remotely attempting to doubt their abilities. At that moment, Biles being a representative for America, came up at an opportune time when it was time to focus on the facet society likes to give much grandeur: Mental health. While necessary in a big event like the Olympics, one could probably imagine why wouldn’t anyone be supportive and take the high road on a generous acknowledgment? The answer is obvious.

Not only is mental health among African-Americans treated as a non-factor, but there was already tension occurring between other athletic Black women that have put the spotlight on Olympics and conversations of race. First, between Sha’Carri Richardson and marijuana, Gwen Berry over her acknowledgment of lyrics in the American National Anthem. Others included an overview of Richardson and Flo Jo’s acrylic nails hinting at possible drug usage, while Simone was connected to TUE due to her A.D.H.D. Each incident highlights a microaggression with African-Americans dealing with drugs the most. In the meantime, the central nexus of it all sees Black women in a tough spot to somehow be obstacles from people enjoying the Olympics with overarching indications of racism. Much of the setup fell squarely on top of the Tokyo Olympics’ decision to ban Black Lives Matter apparel in their respective country, Japan. 

It is solely not a coincidence that Black women or other black athletes participating in these events would be analyzed every way possible, nor it does not matter if the morality is fair or not that Tokyo made a choice, but instead sticking to the ideology that African-Americans should only entertain, without sticking up for mundane rights. In the case of Simone, all the aggrandizement and push to be perfect reminded people of the traditional “Strong Black Woman” trope bastardized for more than a century and gratuitous conspiracies at secretly masquerading as a man. That did not suffice, of course. As long as she was “representing American pride” and dubbed “G.O.A.T.,” then there were no issues as mentioned above with her expected winning. However, this does not mean that the pressure and slow deterioration of a person’s state of mind in whatever they are doing is nonexistent. 

Whether or not mental health is used as a cop-out in other scenarios to downplay its severity further, the situation of Simone does not come remotely close. The hypocrisy underlines the value put into something shown as crucial at its breaking point. All considerations of her showing human emotions were omitted in that circumstance. It initiates a more extensive conversation: Is mental health significant? It is another facet of society in sports where it should be given the same importance. However, it is most certainly not treated with such grandeur for African-Americans. Proven through socioeconomic factors in the medical, business including school and most societal aspects results in a constant disadvantage. External motivations such as the radical patriotism exuded by conservative media members and the far-right are to assert notional authority over another’s well-being in exchange for upholding America’s image. Mental health has been heavily documented, for it being important to be discerning and at the time, realistic about the outcomes accompanied by it.