99-pound Mexican Olympic gymnast Alexa Moreno responded to cruel body-shaming after her performance in this summer Olympics.
The 22-year-old, who gave a satisfactory performance in five events that few Mexican athletes participate in, hit back at internet trolls, stating, ‘Soy mexicana y luzco como mexicana. No pueden esperar ver a una rubia.” (“I’m Mexican and I look Mexican. They can’t expect to see a blonde.”)
The succinct statement packs a lot of punch. By embracing her physique, Moreno condemns the favoritism of light-skinned, light-haired, ultra-thin women in Mexican media–from news programs to telenovelas.
Social media has also called out the body-shaming and overall sexist media coverage at the Olympics, prompting several artists to illustrate beautiful tributes to Moreno:
