When Confidence Looks Different: Angel Reese and the Policing of Black Women

When Angel Reese gestured in front of her face during the 2023 NCAA championship, ostensibly targeting Caitlin Clark, the backlash was swift and fierce. Critics, like Dave Portnoy and Keith Olbermann, vehemently criticized Reese— a Black woman— labeling her as “classless,” a stark contrast to the lack of backlash when Clark, a white woman, performed a similar taunt. This disparity underscores the ongoing racial double standard; while Clark was celebrated as “competitive,” Reese faced vehement condemnation. Such inequity extends beyond basketball, as exemplified by Serena Williams, who in the 2018 US Open was penalized for voicing her grievances, a behavior often excused in male athletes. A Rice University study demonstrated that Reese’s self-assuredness was framed negatively, in contrast to Clark’s actions, which were seen as spirited. Furthermore, Reese’s endorsement successes highlight the ongoing challenges Black women athletes face in achieving fair representation and recognition, demonstrating the persistent societal biases they encounter both in sports and beyond.