Angel Reese Sounds the Alarm: “They Don’t Respect Me… Just Because I’m Black”

 A Raw and Powerful Moment

In an emotional and gut-wrenching revelation, WNBA star Angel Reese has opened up about the mental toll she has been enduring since joining the league, revealing the deep emotional pain caused by the lack of respect she’s faced throughout her career. With tears in her eyes, Reese shared a moment that shook fans, critics, and the entire sports community: “They don’t respect me… just because I’m Black.”

Her words, delivered with vulnerability and raw honesty, have ignited a nationwide conversation about race, respect, and the mental health challenges faced by Black women in sports. Reese, once celebrated as the unapologetic queen of college basketball and a rising star in the WNBA, has now become the voice for many young athletes struggling with similar battles.

A Journey from Superstar to Target

Angel Reese’s meteoric rise in basketball has been nothing short of remarkable. After leading LSU to a national championship, Reese became one of the most visible and marketable athletes in women’s sports. Her confident, outspoken personality—embodied in the “Bayou Barbie” nickname—has made her a household name, and her achievements on the court have cemented her status as a future Hall of Famer.

However, as Reese transitioned into the WNBA, the overwhelming media attention and scrutiny that came with her success also brought intense criticism. Reese’s “unapologetic” persona, celebrated by many for breaking stereotypes and shattering records, quickly became a source of contention. The very qualities that made her a star—her confidence, intensity, and defiance of societal norms—were often weaponized against her.

Reese’s comments in her emotional address shed light on how the constant judgment and unfair scrutiny have begun to take a toll on her mental health. “I’m constantly being judged, nitpicked, and questioned,” she said, her voice cracking with emotion. “I’m human. I’m trying to be strong. But this… this is breaking me.”

The Painful Truth: Racial Double Standards in Sports

What has become clear from Reese’s comments is that her struggle isn’t just about performance—it’s about race. Reese pointed out the racial dynamics that often go unaddressed in professional sports. “You can be top-notch at what you do as a Black woman, and they still don’t see it as marketable,” Reese said, highlighting the double standards that have plagued Black athletes for generations.

Her frustration with the lack of recognition and respect, despite her accomplishments, is palpable. Reese’s pain comes not from a lack of talent, but from the systemic biases that continue to undermine her value in a space where her race often becomes a barrier to full acceptance.

“Why is it that when I’m confident, I’m labeled ‘aggressive,’ but when someone else does the same thing, they’re called ‘competitive’?” she asked, pointing out the racial and gendered ways her actions are interpreted. These are the uncomfortable questions that athletes like Reese, who break barriers and expectations, are forced to grapple with on a daily basis.

A Public Reckoning: Fans and Advocates Respond

As soon as Reese shared her story, the internet responded with an outpouring of support. Fans, athletes, and activists flooded social media with messages of love and solidarity. “You are more than enough, Angel. Keep going,” one fan wrote. Another added, “We see you. We love you. Don’t let them take your light.”

Reese’s candidness about her struggles resonated deeply with many, especially young Black women who have faced similar challenges in their own lives and careers. Her words became a rallying cry for those who have felt silenced, unseen, and dismissed, inspiring a new wave of conversation about mental health, race, and respect in women’s sports.

The support didn’t just come from fans—it also came from fellow athletes. WNBA veterans and rising stars alike took to social media to stand behind Reese, acknowledging her strength and vulnerability. Diana Taurasi, one of the most respected figures in women’s basketball, tweeted, “Angel, your bravery and resilience are inspiring. Keep being unapologetically you.”

The Larger Conversation: Mental Health and Athlete Advocacy

Reese’s revelation also brings to the forefront a larger, often overlooked issue: the mental health struggles faced by athletes, particularly women of color. While the conversation around mental health in sports has gained momentum in recent years, Reese’s experience demonstrates how much more needs to be done to address the mental toll that athletes face from constant pressure, public scrutiny, and racial discrimination.

Reese’s story is a reminder that even the brightest stars in sports are not immune to the emotional burden of being constantly under the microscope. She is not just fighting for herself—her story has become a symbol for the countless athletes who are similarly overlooked, marginalized, and scrutinized, simply for being who they are.

The Future of Angel Reese and the WNBA

While Reese has said that she’s considering retirement due to emotional exhaustion, her impact on the WNBA and women’s sports cannot be overstated. The conversation sparked by her powerful statement has already led to calls for better support systems for athletes’ mental health, as well as a broader examination of the ways race and gender influence the way athletes are treated.

In the coming days and weeks, the WNBA, sponsors, and other stakeholders in women’s sports will need to reckon with the implications of Reese’s comments. Will they take concrete steps to address the mental health crisis unfolding in real time? Will they work to ensure that Black women in sports are treated with the respect and recognition they deserve? Reese’s call for accountability could very well serve as a turning point for the league and for professional women’s sports as a whole.

Conclusion: A Fight for Respect and Dignity

Angel Reese’s emotional revelation about the toll of disrespect and mental exhaustion she has faced in the WNBA has sparked a larger conversation about race, respect, and mental health in sports. Reese’s courage in speaking out has made her a symbol of resilience for countless athletes and fans, particularly young Black girls who see themselves in her struggle.

Her words have made it clear: respect cannot be selective, and fairness must be unconditional. For Reese, this isn’t just about a game—it’s about demanding basic human dignity and standing up against a system that has often turned admiration into suspicion. As the WNBA, its players, and its fans rally around Reese’s message, one thing is certain: the fight for respect in women’s sports has only just begun.