Dwyane Wade responds to critics of son's manicured nails: 'I've been chosen to lead my family not y'all'
'We will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love and a smile'
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Your support makes all the difference.Dwyane Wade has responded to online trolls who criticised his son’s choice to wear long manicured nails and a crop top.
On Thursday, Wade's wife Gabrielle Union posted a photo of herself and Wade and their two children to Instagram, where she wished her followers a Happy Thanksgiving and expressed her gratitude for those who show “love and support”.
Shortly after sharing the picture, people began to find fault with 12-year-old Zion’s outfit, which prompted the former basketball player to address the “stupidity” on Twitter.
“I’ve seen some post-Thanksgiving hate on social media about my family photo,” Wade wrote. “Stupidity is apart of this world we live in - so I get it.
“But here’s the thing - I’ve been chosen to lead my family not y’all. So we will continue to be us and support each other with pride, love and a smile!”
In response to the 37-year-old’s tweet, fans praised the father-of-four for his and Union’s support of their children.
“To give your kids such a loving and free environment says so much,” one person wrote. “Some people don’t have that so it’s easier for them to judge because they don’t understand it. Keep doing what you’re doing.”
Another said: “Idk if Dwyane Wade and Gabrielle Union know how POWERFUL and MOVING it is that they’re embracing their son’s individuality. (Dammit I’m crying) In our community, being given autonomy over your body, beliefs, image and statements as a child isn’t a thing. That child is free and happy.”
Wade responded to the comment, writing: “As a parent my only goal is that my kids feel that I see them, love them and support them.”
In June, the former NBA star opened up to Variety about Zion’s attendance at the Miami Beach Pride parade alongside his 17-year-old older brother Zaire, little sister Kaavia and Union, explaining that he “doesn't really talk about it much because it’s Zion’s story to tell”.
“I think as a family, we should support each other. That’s our job,” he said. “And my job as a father is to facilitate their lives and to support them and be behind them in whatever they want to do.”
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