Courtside Double Standard
On Sunday, April 2, Louisiana State University beat the University of Iowa in the NCAA women's basketball final. The tense game included a little back-and-forth between opposing players Angel Reese, an LSU forward, and Caitlin Clark, an Iowa forward. The ‘John Cena-esque’ gestures came late in the Tigers’ 102-85 victory in the NCAA championship game Sunday lit up social media, with comments supporting the “Bayou Barbie” for trash talk that’s just part of the game and condemning her for lacking grace in victory. Angel Reese reiterated what had been done to her by opponent Caitlyn Clark, just some 48 hours prior. Many said the talented baller had swag when she did it Reese. But, the same complements or praises did not rain in the direction of the newly awarded ‘Outstanding Player of The Year’.
Clark, the scoring sensation who was the first with consecutive 40-point games in an NCAA Tournament, made the face-waving gesture to no one in particular during an Elite Eight victory over Louisville. If she saw Reese’s gestures, Clark didn’t seem concerned about them nor did she reply. “I’m happy,” she said. “I mean, all year I was critiqued about who I was. Nobody — I don’t — the narrative, I don’t fit the narrative. I don’t fit in a box that y’all want me to be in. I’m too hood. I’m too ghetto. Y’all told me that all year. “But when other people do it, y’all say nothing. So, this was for the girls that look like me, that’s going to speak up on what they believe in. It’s unapologetically you. That’s what I did it for tonight. It was bigger than me tonight. It was bigger than me. “Twitter is going to go on a rage every time, and I’m happy. I feel like I’ve helped grow women’s basketball this year. I’m super happy and excited. So, I’m looking forward to celebrating in the next season.” Let’s be clear. Trash talking on the court has always been and will most likely, always be. This has turned into something very different. And something blatant at that. Two phenomenal players. Both taunt one another, but only one is actually villainized.
