Charleston White stated that colorism is the reason Latto receives leniency while Claressa Shields does not

The claim drew Latto and 21 Savage into a conflict that was not theirs, and her response on Live was unreserved.

Charleston White contended this week that the scrutiny Claressa Shields faces regarding her relationship with Papoose, in contrast to the relative lack of criticism directed at Latto over hers with 21 Savage, is rooted in skin tone. This assertion sparked the typical reactions associated with such claims. It ignited a frenzy online and drew two individuals into a dispute they never intended to be part of.

Charleston White asserts that colorism influences the varying responses to Claressa Shields and Latto.

His stance was that individuals ought to exhibit equal enthusiasm for both couples. He highlighted the significant criticism directed at Shields and Papoose, questioning why Latto does not face similar scrutiny. He then provided his own answer, suggesting that Shields would not be experiencing this if she had a lighter complexion. He moved beyond the argument and resorted to insults, labeling Latto as a side chick who became pregnant by a married man.
Latto did not allow that to go unaddressed. She went on Instagram Live and addressed the situation in real time, firmly denying any involvement with a married man and telling White that he has been loud and mistaken for far too long. She targeted his age and looks, labeling him as an old, unattractive, scrawny country expletive, and she emphasized her financial standing before cautioning him against calling her out of her name again.

Cardi B unleashes her thoughts on Akbar V during an X Spaces session.

There exists a rendition of this narrative where the insults comprise the entirety of the tale, and by tonight, the majority of outlets will have published that version. The more intriguing question is whether the underlying argument stands strong.

The claim of colorism is neither new nor unfounded as a general assertion. Black women in the public eye have long been evaluated based on their complexion, a trend that has persisted throughout public life. This phenomenon is particularly evident in discussions surrounding relationships, and it is both real and well-documented. However, applying it to these two situations necessitates overlooking nearly all the factors that distinguish them. Shields is in a relationship with a man whose divorce from Remy Ma is still pending, following a marriage that lasted over sixteen years, which includes a child and a notable public altercation in their history. Latto and 21 Savage’s situation remains disputed and unverified and has yet to be confirmed as a fact by any party. Those circumstances are not identical, and treating them as such in order to attribute the difference in reaction to a single variable is where the argument begins to falter.

Latto’s denial is not the sole factor complicating White’s account. Keyanna Joseph, whom he refers to as 21 Savage’s wife, has not publicly commented on her current relationship status with him. She has demonstrated her support for Latto online by reacting positively to the pregnancy announcement and liking posts that celebrate the couple’s daughter. That does not resolve anything, yet it presents an unusual set of circumstances for a narrative being portrayed as a straightforward instance of a woman being wronged.

On Friday, 21 Savage shared a straightforward response by posting on Instagram, referring to Latto as his wifey. No explanations, no timelines, and no mention of the marriage question whatsoever. Just a word.

White returned on Saturday via Instagram, expressing that he meant no harm, and spent a considerable amount of time relishing the fact that she had responded to him in the first place. He stated that the exchange demonstrated he is now “the voice.”

That final aspect deserves contemplation, as it provides a genuine perspective on the entire matter. White made a provocative statement regarding the relationships of two Black women, linking it to a significant cultural debate to ensure it gained traction, and prompted a prominent artist to dedicate several minutes of her live session discussing him. According to him, that was the victory. The discussion surrounding colorism, which is a legitimate topic to explore, often becomes more about the presentation than the substance itself.

Latto is a new mother experiencing a remarkable year in her career. Shields is fully immersed in training camp for a fight on August 15. Neither of them was engaged in any activity that necessitated a referee.