Angel Reese Speaks Out After Indiana Fans Booo Her During “Lift Every Voice and Sing”
Atlanta Dream star Angel Reese has addressed an incident where she was heard singing “Lift Every Voice and Sing,” often referred to as the Black National Anthem, while playing in Indiana. The moment occurred just ahead of Juneteenth, and Reese spoke about the experience following her team’s victory over the Indiana Fever on Saturday.
Reese described the singing as a spontaneous reaction to her emotions and experiences. “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,” Reese told reporters. She emphasized the significance of the song in that context, stating, “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… 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.”
Representation and Advocacy
When asked about representing Black culture in Atlanta, Reese highlighted the importance of visibility for young people. “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. 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,” she asserted.
“Lift Every Voice and Sing” originated as a poem in 1900 by James Weldon Johnson, with music composed by his brother, John Rosamond Johnson. It was first performed by a choir of 500 schoolchildren. The song has been a part of WNBA programming for Juneteenth celebrations in recent years, with the league announcing in 2021 that teams would play the anthem during the holiday as part of social justice initiatives.
Past Allegations and League Scrutiny
This is not the first time Reese has spoken about fan interactions in Indiana. In September of the previous year, she accused some fans of Caitlin Clark’s supporters, including those in Indiana, of exhibiting racist behavior. “I think it’s really just the fans, her fans, the Iowa fans, now the Indiana fans, that are really just, they ride for her, and I respect that, respectfully. But sometimes it’s very disrespectful. I think there’s a lot of racism when it comes to it,” Reese stated on her podcast.
Following a game between the Fever and Reese’s former team, the Chicago Sky, in Indiana in May of the previous year, an investigation was launched into alleged racist behavior by fans. However, the league reportedly found no evidence to support these claims. Despite this, Reese acknowledged the impact of such incidents at the time, saying, “Obviously, there’s no place in this league for that.” She also expressed gratitude for the support from the WNBA and her team, adding, “Going through this whole process, if it can happen to me, it can happen to anyone.”
A High-Profile Matchup
Reese’s recent comments come during a highly anticipated week for both her and Caitlin Clark, with their teams meeting twice in three days. On Thursday, the Atlanta Dream defeated the Indiana Fever 108-101. Reese recorded 21 points and 11 rebounds, while Clark contributed 26 points for the Fever. The Dream secured another victory on Saturday, winning 113-96 in Atlanta, with Clark again leading Indiana with 26 points.
Saturday’s win also marked a significant milestone for Reese. The 6-foot-4 forward became the fastest player in WNBA history to reach 1,000 career rebounds, achieving the feat in her 79th game, surpassing the previous record by 10 games. Reese finished that game with 18 points and eight rebounds, helping the Dream improve their record to 11-4, while the Fever fell to 9-7.
The Atlanta Dream acquired Reese in April through a trade with the Chicago Sky. This move brought the two-time WNBA All-Star and 2023 national champion to Atlanta. Reese and Clark have been notable figures since their college careers, particularly after LSU’s victory over Iowa in the 2023 NCAA women’s basketball championship game, which set a viewership record for women’s college basketball.
