Angel Reese has spoken out on social media, saying she’s reclaiming control over how she’s portrayed, and addressing what she describes as the media’s role in shaping a negative narrative about her. Frustrated by what she sees as unfair coverage, Reese expressed her determination to speak for herself and present her true story.
Having her rookie season cut short due to injury, Reese highlighted how she believes media outlets have benefited from her struggles and painted her as a villain.
Her comments come in the wake of a larger issue within the WNBA, as the league recently released a statement condemning the racist and threatening messages its players have faced throughout the season.
For the past 2 years, the media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative. They allowed this. This was beneficial to them. I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long…
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 27, 2024
“For the past 2 years, the media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative. They allowed this,” Reese wrote on X.
“This was beneficial to them. I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me but I’ve also allowed this to happen to me for way too long and now other players in this league are dealing with & experiencing the same things. This isn’t ok at all.
I’ve never in my life had privilege but I definitely know the power I have through my platform. That didn’t come overnight. I grew that on my OWN. With that being said, I will continue to use my voice in the right way & say what’s right even though it has backfired on me to be…
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 26, 2024
“Anything beyond criticism about playing the game we love is wrong. I’m sorry to all the players that have/continue to experience the same things I have…. This is why I started my podcast. To take my voice back and create the narrative of who I really am. At the end of the day, I don’t want an apology nor do I think this will ever stop but something has to change.”
I’m heartbroken. I’m literally lost for words knowing what this woman meant to me in such a pivotal point in my life. She was the only person that believed in me. The one that trusted me. Many don’t even know what it’s like to be a black women in sports when nobody believes in…
— Angel Reese (@Reese10Angel) September 27, 2024
Unwilling to stop
Reese affirmed in a follow-up post that she will continue to use her platform to speak out on issues she believes in and ensure that her voice is heard authentically.
“I’ve never in my life had privilege but I definitely know the power I have through my platform,” Reese also posted.
“That didn’t come overnight. I grew that on my OWN. With that being said, I will continue to use my voice in the right way & say what’s right even though it has backfired on me to be this ‘villain’. I won’t stop!!”
