Miss Earth, Destiny Wagner bullied online over her natural hair
Reigning Miss Earth 2021, Belizean beauty queen Destiny Wagner had to address a cyberbullying incident after being recently attacked on social media over her natural hair - her dreadlocks.
Wagner made history last year when she became the first Belizean woman to win the Miss Earth title.
However, it appears all do not accept her. Last month, a photo on social media on a foreign social media page that engages in beauty posts shared a collage with Destiny Wagner wearing her crown, an up-close picture of her hair, some cows in a pen and cow faeces.
The Belizean beauty queen addressed the issue on her social media account with the following post:
" As the first queen with locs to EVER win an international crown, I knew I would be subject to ridicule and criticism. People are often intimidated by things they do not understand.
Many do not associate natural hair (dreadlocks/locs) with “beautiful”.
Many things are wrong with this picture, but it deserves to be shared. For years Black women around the world have been policed for their hair and the history of having “good hair” comes from colonisation, colourism, and racism.
Too many, “hair is just hair,” but to many others, including myself, hair is identity! My hair symbolises strength, spirituality and resilience, just like my ancestors.
This post was meant to break me or attempt to bully me. However, it did not phase me, it fueled me & I hope it fuels you to go out there and pursue your dreams regardless of your hair, complexion, economic status, and skin. May it fuel you to speak up against any form of discrimination, and may it fuel you to love yourself even more and value the body you were born in!
With that being said, I wanted to take the time to highlight some natural queens in my country Belize who are serving natural hair and representing Black Girl Magic. "
Belizeans and fans of Destiny Wagner around the globe have since rallied behind her.
One online commenter said: "You are a beauty, intelligent and strong woman True-Earth Woman Our Belizean Jewel God's Blessings Always."
Another commenter posted: "In our society in the Caribbean, there is still a struggle against locs, such as children going to school with locs, women competing in pageants with locs, and individuals getting decent employment with locs; picture what the rest of the world is like.
Keep your head high, and do not let such rubbish disturb you."
And just as Wagner stated in her post, this incident has not phased her. She continues to post positive messages on her Instagram page and recently shared a new photoshoot with her gorgeous locs.
Wagner, 25, is a Belizean creative content provider and influencer. She is a published author and owns a small smoothie shop in her hometown of Punta Gorda.
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