Following a heart-wrenching loss to top-ranked Iowa, LSU’s women’s basketball star, Angel Reese, sat at the postgame podium with tears, pleading for compassion. “I’ve faced so much,” she began, recounting the barrage of attacks, including death threats and sexualization, she’s endured.

“I’ve been through so much,” she began. “I’ve seen so much. I’ve been attacked so many times, death threats. I’ve been sexualized. I’ve been threatened. I’ve been so many things, and I’ve stood strong every single time.”

Throughout her final year of college basketball, Reese has strived to play her best and find joy in the game. However, her journey has been marred by the inevitable presence of misogyny and racism that accompanies Black women in the spotlight.

Reese’s actions during last year’s championship game, where she taunted rival Caitlin Clark, sparked controversy. Yet, unlike her male counterparts, Reese faced immense backlash, primarily driven by racial and gender biases. The abuse extended beyond verbal attacks, with fake AI-generated nude photos circulating online and social media inundated with anti-Reese hate speech.

Despite embracing her role as an antagonist in women’s basketball, Reese shouldn’t have to endure such vitriol off the court. A Los Angeles Times article labeled her team “dirty debutantes,” further exacerbating the racially charged atmosphere surrounding the rematch.

When Reese finally spoke out about her experiences, she faced further criticism. Sports commentators like Jason Whitlock and Emmanuel Acho added fuel to the fire, with Acho’s comment about Reese’s behavior being particularly insensitive and racially charged.

The reality is that discussions about Reese and other Black women, whether in sports or elsewhere, unavoidably involve race and gender. Until society acknowledges and addresses this reality, Black women like Reese will continue to face unjust scrutiny and discrimination, hindering their ability to pursue their passions without having to defend their humanity.

“Stick to sports” has long been used to silence Black athletes from addressing social issues. Yet, Reese’s experiences show that even when sticking to sports, she faces abuse unrelated to her performance but deeply rooted in her race and gender. It’s time to recognize this truth and work towards a future where Black women can thrive without fear of discrimination or prejudice.