Angel Reese isn't backing down. The Atlanta Dream forward faced a wave of criticism after she was seen passionately singing the Black National Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing," before a recent WNBA game. But instead of staying quiet, she's firing back, making it clear that her actions were a deliberate statement of pride and identity.
The moment unfolded Thursday night ahead of a highly anticipated matchup against Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever. The game fell on the eve of Juneteenth, the federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States. As the anthem played, Reese sang loudly, her voice cutting through the arena. The gesture didn't sit well with some Fever fans, who audibly booed her throughout the contest.
Reese, however, isn't fazed. In a postgame press conference Saturday, she explained her mindset. "It was just one in the moment of where I was, and how it felt, and how it hit, and the things that I've had to experience the last couple years, and they haven't always been great," she told reporters. "It's not supposed to be easy, but I am very, very grateful for this opportunity to be a Black woman, it's a privilege."
She went on to connect the anthem to the hostility she faced in the arena. "Being where I was, hearing the loud boos when I was in the arena, and then when I heard 'Lift Every Voice,' it just made me feel like, this is for the ones that walked for me," Reese added.
The third-year star, who transferred from LSU to the Dream, has never shied away from using her platform. She's been outspoken on social issues and has often embraced her role as a leader in Black culture. This latest incident is no exception. "Those young girls, those young boys out there, when they see a Black girl being able to run up and down the court and just have this life and have this experience, I think it's really important," she said. "Representation is important, for me to use my voice, for me to use my platform, I'll never stay silent for things I believe in."
The backlash isn't surprising given the charged atmosphere surrounding the game. Reese has been a lightning rod for controversy, especially in her ongoing rivalry with Clark. Just weeks ago, she shattered a WNBA record in a clash with the Fever, and earlier this season, she fired back at Clark with a mocking gesture before a previous showdown. The tension between the two stars has become a major storyline in the league.
Reese's defiance has also drawn support from fans who see her as a trailblazer. The WNBA fans demanded a suspension after a controversial tackle on Reese earlier this season, highlighting the intense scrutiny she faces on and off the court. For now, she's focused on staying true to herself, regardless of the noise.
As the season progresses, Reese's unapologetic approach is likely to keep her in the spotlight. But if her latest comments are any indication, she's ready for it. "I'll never stay silent for things I believe in," she reiterated. And with that, the Dream star continues to make her voice heard, one anthem at a time.
