SATURDAY NIGHT OPEN MIC | THE LANCESCURV PODCAST | 8.2.2025

What They Don't Want to See

Why does it feel like being young, Black, successful, and in love is a crime in America? I’ve been watching the media tear into Sha'Carri Richardson over what seems like a private disagreement between her and her boyfriend, fellow runner Christian Coleman. It wasn’t violence. It wasn’t a crime. But here come the headlines and public shaming. Why?

We’ve seen it before. Over and over again, young Black couples who are doing well get dragged through the dirt. The media jumps on every mistake. Every argument. Every rumor. And somehow, the love and success they built gets painted as fake, toxic, or dangerous. Why the double standard?

If this was a white celebrity couple—let’s say Tom Brady and Gisele before they split—would the headlines sound the same? Would the public rush to call her violent or unfit? Or would they say, “Relationships are hard, and they’ll work it out”? When it comes to Black love, the benefit of the doubt is rare.

What makes it worse is that many of these couples are powerful. They’re athletes, artists, or business-minded people doing better than expected. Their union is a threat to the stereotype. It shows unity, wealth, and partnership. And that goes against the image the media often tries to sell about us.

Let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about what’s happening to Sha'Carri Richardson, to Claressa Shields, and to so many others who just want to love in peace and still win in life. Let’s expose the pattern. Let’s show the world that Black love is not only real—but it’s under attack.

The Sha'Carri Richardson Situation

Sha'Carri Richardson is a top sprinter in the world. Her boyfriend, Christian Coleman, is also a world-class runner. Together, they represent strength, speed, and success. They’ve been seen supporting each other, enjoying their lives, and avoiding the usual celebrity drama.

But then something happened at the airport. Reports say Sha'Carri got into an argument with Christian. There was no punching. No threats. Just a few bumps and a pair of headphones tossed in frustration. He didn’t press charges. He didn’t see it as abuse. But the system did.

Security stepped in. A domestic violence charge was filed. Just like that, the media flipped the switch. They painted her as angry, violent, and unstable. The same outlets that once praised her for her comeback now turned on her.

But let’s be real—if Christian Coleman isn’t afraid, if there were no injuries, if the couple is still together and moving forward, what’s the real issue here? Why is this national news? Why is this blown out of proportion?

Because the image of a strong, united, wealthy Black couple doesn’t sit right with some folks. That’s the truth.

Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman: Winning Together but Watched Too Closely

Sha’Carri Richardson and Christian Coleman are not just top-level athletes—they’re a powerful young couple at the peak of their careers. But being young, Black, wealthy, and successful comes with extra eyes, and the media hasn’t missed a single chance to poke at their past. The truth is, their love might be real, but so is the pressure—and much of it comes from a society that doesn’t let Black excellence breathe without digging for dirt.

Sha’Carri’s most talked-about controversy was back in 2021 when she tested positive for marijuana after winning the Olympic Trials. She was suspended for a month and missed the Tokyo Olympics. She admitted to using it while grieving her biological mother's death, but instead of empathy, the media crucified her. That incident still follows her, often mentioned even during her victories. Add to that her open bisexuality and “hood” background, and the narrative becomes one of judgment, not celebration. She’s often painted as brash, angry, or emotionally unstable—though she’s done nothing more than be unapologetically herself.

Christian Coleman’s career also took a hit when he received an 18-month ban—not for testing positive for drugs, but for missing three doping whereabouts tests in a year. It was a technicality, but the media has used it to question his integrity. Even after serving the suspension and returning strong, the word “doping” keeps clinging to his name in headlines and online comments.

Then came the July 2025 airport incident. Reports say Sha’Carri got into a heated moment with Christian and tossed a pair of headphones in frustration. He didn’t press charges, said it was nothing major, and they’ve remained close. But once again, the media turned it into a “domestic violence” headline. Just like that, her name was dragged through the mud—no context, no compassion.

Summary: Between Sha’Carri’s marijuana suspension, Christian’s missed drug tests, and now a public disagreement blown out of proportion, the media has plenty of material to keep spinning. Even if the couple stays strong and supportive of each other, their past will likely be rehashed in every story. It’s not just what they’ve done—it’s who they are. And to the media, Black love and success still seems like too much to handle.Clarissa Shields and Papoose: Still Together, Still a Threat

Claressa Shields is one of the best female boxers in history. Papoose is a well-known rapper with a clean, mature energy. As a couple, they uplift each other. He speaks with respect. She glows when he’s around. You can see they have a bond.

But look at how quiet the media is about that. No praise. No attention. No positive coverage. Why? Because it doesn’t fit the narrative. If there were a fight or a breakup, the headlines would be loud. But peace? Stability? That’s not the story they want to tell.

They want to show Black couples as chaotic. As violent. As temporary. But when Black love lasts, when it’s healthy, when it builds power—nobody wants to talk about it.

Papoose and Claressa don’t fight in public. They support each other’s goals. But where’s the spotlight for that? It’s almost like the media is hoping something goes wrong. Just sitting back, waiting for cracks to appear. It’s disgusting.

Claressa Shields and Papoose: A New Chapter with Old Headlines

Claressa Shields and rapper Papoose have taken the spotlight in recent months—but not without being dragged through messy headlines. What began as public gossip turned into a full-blown saga when Papoose’s longtime wife, Remy Ma, accused him of cheating with the world champion boxer. Social media exploded with screenshots, insults, and rumors—but what’s often missed in the noise is how Claressa and Papoose have remained calm, focused, and committed to each other.

Papoose was known as one-half of a hip-hop power couple. He stood by Remy Ma during her six-year prison sentence, even marrying her over the phone. They renewed their vows after her release, and for years, they were the go-to example of “Black love” done right. But cracks began to show. Papoose revealed that Remy had cheated multiple times, and he had tried to file for divorce privately—trying to protect their daughter from media chaos.

Remy Ma didn’t take it quietly. She fired back on social media, posting alleged messages and accusing Claressa Shields of being a homewrecker. Claressa clapped back, denying any wrongdoing and calling the accusations childish. She even challenged Remy to a boxing match—but later admitted it was just boredom talking. Despite the noise, Claressa stood strong beside Papoose, calling him her best friend and biggest supporter.

Since going public, the two have embraced their relationship. Claressa even got “Papoose” tattooed on her torso ahead of a major fight and thanked him in her post-fight victory speech. She’s also said she plans to start a family in 2026. Through all the gossip, the rumors, and the judgment, their bond has grown stronger.

Summary: Papoose’s divorce from Remy Ma and new life with Claressa Shields gave the media a storyline they couldn’t resist. But while the headlines focused on betrayal, what actually unfolded was a couple standing tall under fire. For Claressa, the drama didn’t dim her light. For Papoose, it’s a second chance at peace and loyalty. And for both of them, it’s proof that even under public attack, real Black love can still rise above.

Black Love as a Threat to the System

When two young, famous, Black people come together, it’s not just a relationship—it’s power. That power scares the system. Because love brings focus. Love brings support. Love builds families. And strong Black families build strong Black communities.

That’s why the outside world wants to break it up. They use stress. They use lies. They use overblown headlines and court cases to plant doubt. They whisper in our ears that it won’t last. That one of them is cheating. That one of them is violent.

And sometimes, the couple breaks under the pressure. The love dies not from within—but from constant attacks outside.

This isn’t just about athletes and celebrities. This happens in regular life too. How often do people root for Black couples to fail? How often do others say, “I give them six months”? It’s learned behavior. Fueled by what we’re shown in the media daily.

Examples from the Past

Let’s not forget Mike Tyson and Robin Givens. Young, rich, in love—and the world watched them fall apart. Were there real issues? Yes. But the media stirred the pot until it exploded. Every camera was waiting for a meltdown. And they got one.

Or Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston. Two talented icons. What could’ve been a legacy of love was instead turned into tabloid fuel. Not just by their actions, but by how the press twisted every move.

And even more recently, we saw how Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith went from being a model couple to the butt of every joke. All because their truth didn’t fit what society wanted.

There’s a long list. And while not every story ends with peace, not every couple needs to be turned into a circus either.

Why This Matters

We need to ask ourselves why Black love is treated like a crime. Why does it offend so many when young, successful Black people choose to love each other and build together?

Sha'Carri Richardson didn’t commit a crime. She had a moment. A human moment. One that millions of couples have had in silence. But because of who she is and what she represents, it became a public execution.

Claressa Shields and Papoose show us what Black love can be. Supportive. Respectful. Grounded. But no one claps for that. Why not?

As Black people, we need to protect our love. Celebrate it. Build it. Because the world isn’t going to cheer us on. They’ll wait for us to fail. But we don’t have to give them that satisfaction.

Let’s change the story. Let’s push back. Let’s shine the light on couples who are doing it right. Let’s protect Sha'Carri and others like her from being torn down for things others get a pass for.

Because when Black love wins—we all win.