**Everybody’s Ignoring the Obvious: Sha’Carri Richardson’s Stadium Dedication Derails as Critics Accuse Her of Looking ‘High’ During Interview**

Sha’Carri Richardson, one of the most polarizing figures in modern athletics, recently found herself at the center of another media storm. Known for her outspoken personality, unapologetic confidence, and explosive sprinting talent, Richardson has consistently grabbed headlines. However, this time, it wasn’t her performance on the track that made waves; instead, it was an interview following a significant achievement that sparked controversy.

The backdrop of this latest controversy was Richardson’s heartfelt tribute to the stadium she grew up racing in, a moment that should have been one of reflection, pride, and inspiration. Instead, the conversation quickly spiraled into an avalanche of criticism, with some viewers accusing her of looking “high” or “out of it” during her post-race interview. This accusation, seemingly rooted in her appearance and mannerisms during the brief exchange, became the latest flashpoint in an ongoing narrative surrounding Richardson, one that blends issues of race, gender, media representation, and mental health.

To understand the gravity of this situation, it’s essential to first consider the context of Sha’Carri Richardson’s rise to fame, the nature of the criticism she faces, and why this particular incident underscores deeper societal issues.

### The Rise of Sha’Carri Richardson

Sha’Carri Richardson burst onto the global athletics scene in 2019 when she won the NCAA 100-meter title with an astounding time of 10.75 seconds. Her infectious personality, vivid orange hair, and unapologetic self-promotion made her a social media sensation. But it wasn’t just her flamboyance that captured attention—it was her raw talent. Richardson’s speed and power made her an immediate threat to established stars, and in many ways, she represented a new generation of athletes who blended sports with entertainment.

However, Richardson’s trajectory was soon marred by controversy. In 2021, just before the Tokyo Olympics, she was suspended for a failed drug test, having tested positive for THC, the psychoactive compound in cannabis. This incident sparked an intense public debate around the nature of the ban, as many argued that the punishment was overly harsh given the relatively low level of performance-enhancing effects cannabis has on track athletes. The situation became a flashpoint for broader discussions about race, policing, and cannabis legalization, especially since Richardson was one of the few openly Black athletes to speak on these issues.

Despite the suspension, Richardson’s resilience was on full display when she returned to competition, and while her performances have been a mixed bag, she remains one of the most compelling and divisive figures in track and field.

### The Stadium Dedication

The incident in question occurred during an event where Richardson, having recently secured a strong finish at a major competition, was interviewed post-race. The interview was meant to be a celebration of her growth as an athlete and her emotional connection to the track. Richardson shared that the event was special because it took place at the stadium where she first began running, a symbolic return to her roots.

But what should have been a touching moment quickly took a turn. As Richardson spoke to reporters, some viewers noticed her demeanor and body language. The discussion quickly turned to her apparent lack of focus and the possibility that she might be under the influence of something, with a number of critics accusing her of looking “high.”

These accusations were fueled in part by Richardson’s mannerisms during the interview—her glazed eyes, her slow, almost languid speech, and her body language, which some interpreted as erratic. Social media users and commentators were quick to seize on this, accusing her of being “out of it” and speculating that she was using drugs. Some suggested that her cannabis use was at play, while others brought up more general concerns about athletes and drug use.

The video quickly went viral, and in a matter of hours, Richardson found herself being called everything from “unprofessional” to “irresponsible.”

### The Criticism: More Than Just Appearance

What was striking about the backlash was how quickly people latched onto superficial judgments about Richardson’s appearance, rather than acknowledging the deeper, more complex reasons behind her behavior.

For one, the claim that Richardson looked “high” fails to take into account the broader context of her life and career. Richardson has been open about the immense pressure she faces as a Black woman in a predominantly white sport, the challenges of growing up in a marginalized community, and the toll that public scrutiny takes on her mental health. Is it possible that her “out of it” demeanor was a result of exhaustion, nervousness, or even the stress of her personal life? Could it be that the scrutiny she faces is a consequence of not just her athletic prowess, but also the emotional burden of being constantly in the media’s spotlight?

Further, it’s worth considering that Richardson may have been attempting to downplay the significance of the moment, trying to keep her composure in a space where she knows she’s being watched by millions. The expectation that athletes be perfect, poised, and emotionally neutral during interviews is both unrealistic and unfair, especially when these same athletes are human beings dealing with the same anxieties and stresses that affect everyone else.

But for many critics, the real issue wasn’t just Richardson’s demeanor—it was what her “apparent” behavior said about her character. In many ways, this criticism is indicative of the ways in which society holds women, and especially women of color, to impossibly high standards of performance, behavior, and professionalism.

### The Double Standard: Gender and Race in Focus

The backlash Richardson faced is also an example of a larger cultural issue at play: the double standard that women, particularly Black women, face in sports and public life. While male athletes like Michael Phelps and Tyson Fury have openly discussed their struggles with substance use, mental health, and personal demons, female athletes, especially those who are non-conformist or outspoken, often face harsher scrutiny.

In Richardson’s case, her unapologetic personality and outspoken nature have made her both a hero and a villain in the eyes of the public. She’s faced backlash not only for her actions on the track but also for how she presents herself off it. When she wins, she’s celebrated as a trailblazer; when she falters, she’s torn apart.

Furthermore, the accusations of her being “high” draw on problematic racial stereotypes about Black people and drug use. There’s a long history of Black individuals being unfairly associated with drug culture, and these stereotypes have been used to delegitimize their achievements and distort their public image. In this case, the insinuation that Richardson was “high” taps into these racialized narratives, disregarding the possibility that her appearance was simply a result of exhaustion, nerves, or an off moment.

### What’s Being Ignored: Sha’Carri’s Resilience and Dedication

Amid the noise of criticism and ridicule, one thing that has been largely ignored is Sha’Carri Richardson’s commitment to the sport and the journey she’s undertaken to get to this point. The very stadium she was dedicating her achievements to wasn’t just a place where she raced—it was where she experienced setbacks, victories, and heartbreak. It was a space where she learned to dream big and where, despite On Sept. 21, David W. Carter High School commemorated Sha’Carri Richardson by officially naming a track after the 24-year-old star athlete.

Richardson made a surprise appearance at David W. Carter’s John Kincaide Stadium football field for a Friday night game against crosstown rival Wilmer-Hutchins High School. facing adversity and discrimination, she continued to pursue her passion for sprinting.

Rather than focusing on the trivial accusations about her appearance, the narrative should have been about Richardson’s perseverance, her growth as an athlete, and her determination to rise above the challenges she’s faced.

Instead of celebrating her strength, the conversation quickly shifted to what many perceived as her flaws. The truth, however, is that Richardson’s very human reactions—her gestures, speech, and emotions—are a reflection of the toll that public scrutiny, competition, and personal challenges take on anyone, no matter how talented they are. Her vulnerability, her authenticity, and her rawness should be seen as assets, not liabilities.

### Conclusion: A Complex Legacy

In the end, Sha’Carri Richardson’s interview didn’t derail her career or her dedication to her sport—it only served to expose how quick society is to judge Black women, particularly those who deviate from the expected norms of behavior in professional settings. Whether or not she was “high” in the interview is beside the point; what’s more important is the larger cultural conversation that this incident sparked. Richardson’s resilience in the face of constant public scrutiny is a testament to her strength and character, and if the world is ignoring that, it’s only doing so at its own peril.

Sha’Carri Richardson’s journey is far from over, and whether or not the public continues to scrutinize her every move, she will remain a powerful force in the world of track and field—and perhaps, more importantly, a symbol of the larger struggle for fairness, understanding, and respect for athletes who refuse to conform to society’s narrow expectations.