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Olympic silver medalist Sha’Carri Richardson issued an apology on Tuesday after her latest arrest stemming from a domestic incident involving her boyfriend and fellow track star Christian Coleman.
But radio star and “The Breakfast Club” host Charlamagne tha God isn’t buying the apology. Or, at least, he’s not buying how quickly people are willing to move on from the incident after the apology.
Richardson was arrested at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport in late July, just prior to the 2025 U.S. National Championships, after she was seen shoving Coleman. She was charged with fourth-degree domestic violence offense and booked into South Correctional Entity in Des Moines, Washington, for more than 18 hours.
“I love him & to him I can’t apologize enough,” the 2023 100-meter world champion wrote in all capital letters on her Instagram accounting, adding that her apology “should be just as loud” as her “actions.”
“To Christian I love you & I am so sorry,” she continued.
Charlamagne Says Sha’Carri Richardson Benefits From ‘Double Standard’
On Tuesday’s episode of “The Breakfast Club” on New York City radio station 105.1 FM, Charlamagne and co-host Lauren LaRosa discussed Richardson’s apology video.
While LaRosa praised Richardson for taking accountability, Charlamagne didn’t see things the same way.
“I respect the fact that she acknowledged her behavior. But I just want the record to show, it is a double standard,” he said. “Because if a man did something like that in an airport, and then turned around and just did a little video like that, y’all would be dragging him to he–.”
Now, there’s a lot to get through here. So let’s take it step by step.
Let’s begin with the fact that domestic violence, regardless of who initiates it, should be called out and dealt with, both by the law and by members of society. A study published by the National Institute of Health reports that intimate partner violence by a woman against a man is significantly underreported, largely due to stigma.
And yes, there is a double standard.
But Richardson is facing legal backlash. She is also facing backlash in her personal and professional lives. So it’s not as if she’s walking away from this unscathed.
However, partner violence, especially of the physical variety, is often amplified by power dynamics. In this case, the reaction (or lack thereof, according to Charlamagne), is down to the fact that Coleman is significantly taller, heavier, and stronger than Richardson.
So if he were to have turned physically violent, the outcome would have been far more severe.
Christian Coleman Asked The Public To Be Easy On Sha’Carri Richardson
Again, that does not excuse Richardson. And she is dealing with the consequences of her actions. But there are reasons why the public response has been different, and we need to recognize why those exist, and whether or not they are valid.
LaRosa did ultimately acknowledge the double standard. But she also noted that Coleman confirmed that he was safe. Coleman also asked the public to be forgiving.
“I don’t feel like she should have been arrested. I mean people have discussions and emotions and stuff like that,” he said. “She has things that she needs to work on for herself, of course. So do I, so do you, so does everybody. But I’m the type of guy who’s in the business of extending grace, and mercy and love.”
Ultimately, the hope is that both sides feel safe with one another and learn and grow from the situation.