“It’s cool when they do it, it’s a problem when I do it.”

The 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament witnessed record-breaking viewership this year, largely due to the captivating performances of collegiate stars Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark. Reese, representing LSU, and Clark, representing Iowa, became household names as their exceptional skills propelled them through the March Madness tournament.  However, tensions flared between the two MVPs during the championship game on Sunday, where Reese's LSU Tigers emerged victorious over Clark's Iowa, with a final score of 102-85. Reese claimed that Clark had "disrespected" her friends and teammates throughout the tournament.

 In the final moments of the game, Reese was caught on camera using Clark's own taunts against her, drawing heavy criticism online. Reese mimicked John Cena's "you can't see me" gesture and pointed to her ring finger, indicating an impending championship ring, while looking directly at Clark.  Following Reese's actions, the term "classless" began trending on Twitter, as users criticized her behavior. This backlash highlights the ongoing issue of racist double standards in sports, particularly when online critics enter the fray.  Notably, sports commentator Keith Olbermann had scathing words for Reese, despite Clark exhibiting similar behavior in previous games. Olbermann referred to Reese as "a f---ing idiot" in a tweet, further exemplifying the unequal treatment the two athletes received. 

In summary, the differing reactions to Reese and Clark's taunts during the 2023 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament brought to light the persistent issue of racial discrimination in sports. The harsher criticism directed towards Reese, compared to the similar behavior exhibited by Clark, exposes the racial double standards that continue to plague the sport and taint public discourse.