Black Women are Angel(s): The Unfair Expectations of Being Acceptably Black & Woman

The Women’s NCAA finals happened this past weekend. In the final game, LSU Center Angel Reese did what is expected of an elite athlete. She scored 15 points and pulled down 10 rebounds and was named the Final Four’s Most Outstanding Player.

Angel did what Black women do daily. She showed up, excelled at her job, and was instrumental in the success of those around her.

In her role, Angel also embodied what we expect to see (and accept from other basketball players). She was passionate, engaged in trash talking, and did not back down when others tried to intimidate her. In the win, she also reminded those who tried to doubt her that she was a force to be reckoned with — — -and used the same gestures to remind them of that fact.

Yet, the response to Angel’s behavior was…different, but was the common experience of Black women when we refuse to show up as anything but ourselves.

When we unapologetically revel in our successes and remind people that we deserve it.

Sports announcers and sports fans (the same ones who cheer on the same behavior in male players — -or dismissed such behavior in white women players like Caitlin Clark), came out of the woodwork to proclaim that Angel was

Disrespectful

Classless

Failed to be humble.

In our intersectional identities of Black and women — -whether on the basketball court, in the classroom, or in the office, we are not permitted to be our full selves — -to challenge others when they choose to mock us or to remind others that we are great — -in spite of the attempts to keep us from being such.

Black women are all Angel Reese.

The pushing aside of the fact that Angel Reese did the same gesture her white counterpart had done previously (who in a twitter post was hailed as being “All Class”) and the framing her as somehow being problematic is the lived experience of Black women

When the world identifies white womanhood as the Gold Standard and sees their actions through the lens of being respectable with Black womanhood as anything but, we know that what is deemed passionate in White women is called aggression in us.

What is viewed as “getting into your opponent’s head” when done by white women is called “intimidating” when done by us

In a society that insists that Black women should “humble” themselves, failing to do so can be met with disdain. Yet, we can all learn from Angel Reese who made it clear that she will not do so.

Who let the world know that none of the terms that are thrown at her to try and dim her shine or negate her accomplishments will keep her from showing up and owning it.

Black women are ALL Angel Reese, if we just permit ourselves to live as such.

Dr. Tyffani is a licensed psychologist who centers the needs of Black Women and Girls in her work. She is the mother of an aspiring basketball player who she hopes will be as sure of herself on and off the court as Angel Reese.

#AngelReese #NCAAFInalFour #BlackWomen #DrTyffani