Sha'Carri Richardson: Cryptic post about embracing 'violence' has fans worried
Sha'Carri Richardson just can't seem to stay away from controversy. The sensational American sprinter sparked backlash on social media after she hinted that she chose violence in a new Instagram post.
The discourse surrounding the 21-year-old track star has shifted considerably since she was barred from the Tokyo Olympics after testing positive for cannabis. While fans initially empathized with her and cheered for her post-Olympics races, Richardson continued to speak out against her competition, especially targeting the top-tier Jamaican sprinters who dominated the podium in the Olympics.
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The controversial athlete drew backlash after she "liked" a tweet dissing Shelly-Ann Fraser Pryce following the race at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, Oregon, in which Richardson placed ninth. "Shorty in the back look Lil Wayne," the tweet read, referring to Fraser-Pryce. Then, she liked another post that was disrespectful against Jamaicans. "Not y’all Jamaicans still talking shit when y’all gotta walk barefoot to your coconut stand every day for a living," it read.
The pushback against Richardson had cooled off in recent weeks as she told her followers that "what you see is what you're getting." On Tuesday night, August 31, however, she updated her Instagram Stories to post a simple message, stating "Violence" with the toggle on. She was reportedly implying that she wasn't shy of fighting back against critics and defending herself against online bullies, according to HotNewHipHop.
With her post, Richardson sparked another wave of backlash. "Should’ve chosen violence on that track sis! It’s too late neowwww," one follower commented. "Choose speed," another suggested.
"Sis you came in 4709th place at the last race," a user wrote. "They had time to make jerk chicken & start dutty wining to a dancehall track by the time you got to the finish line. The only violence is how you lost. You gotta stop. 'This is very em-bear-rah-zing! Are you not em-bear-rahz-ed?'"
One fan seemed tired of defending her, saying, "We can't keep taking up for you if you gonna keep proving everybody else right." Meanwhile, a user noted, "Her personality a Lil unlikable at this point like girl..."
After being banned from the Tokyo Olympics, the 21-year-old US track and field star competed in the women's 100-meter event of the Nike Prefontaine Classic held at the University of Oregon. Many were expecting the promising sprinter to shine on her return to the track, but she finished ninth out of nine contestants after clocking 11.14 seconds. Her competitors included three Jamaican Olympians, who took home gold, silver, and bronze. Elaine Thompson-Herah finished in came in first place with a personal-best 10.54 finish, while fellow Jamaicans Fraser-Pryce and Sherika Jackson followed her to the finish line, the same 1-2-3 podium finish as the Tokyo Olympics.
Back in June, Richardson had won the 100-meter dash on the same track at the US Olympic track and field trials before receiving a 30-day suspension that kept her off the US team as part of the relay pool. However, the 21-year-old sensation emphasized she couldn't care less about her haters after her latest performance.
"This is one race," Richardson said after the race. "I'm not done. You know what I'm capable of. Count me out if you want to. Talk all the s--t you want. Because I'm here to stay. I'm not done. I'm the sixth fastest woman in this game ever. Can't nobody ever take that from me,” she added.