Drawing on critical technocultural discourse analysis (CTDA), intersectionality, and framing theories, this study examined how TikTok users portrayed Sha’Carri Richardson and Brittney Griner during their highly publicized controversies involving THC oils and marijuana. Discussions about these two outstanding athletes highlight biases in media portrayals of Black women athletes compared to their counterparts. The main frames identified include “solidarity,” “double standards,” and “respectability politics.” The study’s findings highlight the ongoing fight against systemic racism and misogyny faced by Black women and show how social media can reshape narratives about Black women athletes, providing a platform for advocacy, identity expression, and community building. Based on these findings, we offer recommendations and best practices. As social media increasingly becomes the primary source of news and cultural commentary—serving as the leading local news provider for nearly a third of the global population—the need for continued research in this area is crucial.
Plain language summary
This study examines how TikTok users portrayed Sha’Carri Richardson and Brittney Griner during their highly publicized controversies involving THC oils and marijuana. Discussions about these two outstanding athletes highlight biases in media portrayals of Black women athletes compared to their counterparts. As social media increasingly becomes the primary source of news and cultural commentary—serving as the leading local news provider for nearly a third of the global population—the need for continued research in this area is crucial.
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