Chicago Sky beginner Angel Reese says media should have done more to fight persistent problem of racism in women’s basketball before reaching the boiling point.
THE The WNBA on Wednesday condemned all “racist, derogatory or threatening comments” that were directed at players after Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas called out “racial comments from Indiana Fever fans” following the Sun 87-81 victory against the Fever. Reese said this is a long-standing problem, noting that she has been the subject of racially motivated hatred for some time.
Reese, however, said his calls for accountability and action were repeatedly ignored. “The media took advantage of my pain and vilification to create a narrative,” she wrote about. “They allowed this. It benefited them… You’re all a little late to the party and you could have tried to put out this fire long before it started.”
In response to a video from ESPN’s Andraya Carter – where Carter said “the excitement around the league is at an all-time high, but the racist slurs, derogatory comments and online bullying are also at their worst” – Reese said she was “living through this for 2 years but he was told ‘Save the tears’ and ‘stop playing the victim’.
You all know I’ve been going through this for 2 years, but I was told to “keep my tears in” and “stop playing the victim”. You’re all a little late to the party and you could have tried to put out this fire way before it started…. https://t.co/EuMfYtzgSA
– Reese Angel (@Reese10Angel) September 26, 2024
Reese and Indiana Fever recruit Caitlin Clark have often been pitted against each other since their college days at LSU and Iowa, respectively. The popularity around Reese, Clark and the 2024 WNBA rookie class has translated into increased viewership and support for the league, but it hasn’t always been bona fide support. In July, Reese’s mother shared racist messages aimed at her daughter by WNBA fans who claimed to support Clark.
“I sometimes share my experiences about things that happened to me, but I also let this happen to me for too long and now other players in this league are facing and experiencing the same things,” Reese wrote THURSDAY. “This is not acceptable at all. Anything beyond criticism of the game we love is wrong. I’m sorry to any players who have/continue to experience the same things I did.”
Reese said she started her own podcast, “Unapologetically Angel,” to take control of her own narrative: “That’s why I started my podcast. To reclaim my voice and create the narrative of who I truly am. Today I don’t want excuses and I don’t think it will ever stop, but something has to change.”
The issue of racism plaguing the WNBA resurfaced after Thomas called out “unacceptable” fan behavior.
“We have been professional throughout this whole thing,” Thomas said. “But I’ve never been treated like that on social media, and there’s no place for that.”
In response, the WNBA released a statement saying it is “monitoring threat activity” and will work with teams and venues “to take appropriate action, including involving law enforcement, if necessary. “The WNBA will not tolerate racist, derogatory or threatening comments directed at players, teams or anyone affiliated with the league,” the statement added.
Contributor: Steve Gardner
This article was originally published on USA TODAY: WNBA star Angel Reese calls out lack of action against racism
