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Outrage After Sha’Carri Richardson, Other Black Women Banned from Participating in Tokyo Olympics

Social media users, media pundits, and celebrities rushed to Richardson’s defense, noting that marijuana is legal in many states anyway and using the hashtag #LetHerRun.

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Sha’Carri Richardson/Sports Illustrated

The Olympics and its governing bodies are being accused of discriminating against Black women after several Black women athletes — nearly all of whom were expected to excel in their competitions — have been disqualified from participating in the Tokyo games in recent months.

The outcry hit its peak last week after Sha’Carri Richardson, the 21-year-old Black track star who shot to fame last month as the “fastest woman in America,” was suspended from competing for one month after testing positive for using marijuana. Richardson did not test positive for any performance enhancement drugs, and said she used marijuana after learning that her biological mother had died.

Social media users, media pundits, and celebrities rushed to Richardson’s defense, noting that marijuana is legal in many states anyway and using the hashtag #LetHerRun. A petition on MoveOn.org gained nearly half a million signatures. And Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez even wrote a letter to the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency urging the organization to reverse its decision suspending Richardson. 

But Richardson confirmed on Twitter that she will not be competing in this year’s Olympics.

“I’m sorry I can’t be y’all Olympic Champ this year,” she said July 3, “but I promise I’ll be your World Champ next year.”

Other Black women have also been barred — and even swimwear used by Black women. 

Two Namibian sprinters, Christine Mboma and Beatrice Masilingi, both 18 years old, were ruled ineligible to compete in some races at the Tokyo Olympics because of naturally high testosterone levels. The Olympics’ governing body requires athletes’ blood testosterone levels to be below a designated level to compete in certain women’s events.

That rule has also impacted Olympic champion Caster Semenya of South Africa and CeCe Telfer, a Black transgender woman athlete who is Jamaican-American. Semenya was barred from running in any mid- to long-range race after World Athletics ruled in 2018 that women with naturally high testosterone levels must take medication to reduce them to compete in those races. Semenya has refused and is challenging the ruling.

Last week, just after swimmer Alice Dearing became the first Black woman to qualify to represent England in the open-water marathon, the governing body for aquatics sports barred the use of swim caps designed for natural hair in international competitions. The body is now reviewing its decision after receiving international pushback.

“So, Sha’Carri can’t run because of marijuana, multiple African runners can’t run because their T levels are “too high,” and swim caps for Afro hair have been banned. Anyone else see a pattern here?” one Twitter user said. 

“Good morning and Happy Friday to everyone except the Olympic Committee for banning Sha’Carri Richardson for weed while Michael Phelps weed-coughs gold medals,” another said, noting that Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps was also caught using marijuana. 

Another user called the disqualifications an example of white men deciding whose womanhood is good enough.

While Richardson, won’t compete until next year, Mboma and Masilingi will compete in some races this summer, but not all.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 13 – 19, 2024

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LIVE! — TOWN HALL ON RACISM AND ITS IMPACT — THURS. 11.14.24 5PM PST

Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024, 5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

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Join us for a LIVE Virtual Town Hall on the Impact of Racism hosted by Post News Group Journalist Carla Thomas and featuring Oakland, CA NAACP President Cynthia Adams & other Special Guests.
Thursday, November 14, 2024
5 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. PST

Discussion Topics:
• Since the pandemic, what battles have the NAACP fought nationally, and how have they impacted us locally?
• What trends are you seeing concerning Racism? Is it more covert or overt?
• What are the top 5 issues resulting from racism in our communities?
• How do racial and other types of discrimination impact local communities?
• What are the most effective ways our community can combat racism and hate?

Your questions and comments will be shared LIVE with the moderators and viewers during the broadcast.

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Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of November 6 – 12, 2024

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