Trash talk is just part of the game in men's sports, but when Louisiana State University player Angel Reese did the same thing as her team won the NCAA's women's basketball championship, criticism poured in.
Guests on Greater Boston said the overwhelming negative response to Reese's hand gestures directed at the opposing team demonstrates a clear double standard in sports, especially for women of color.
"If this had gone on between two male players, this would not be the topic of conversation days after it happened," said sports journalist Shira Springer. She said the NCAA tournament was record-setting in terms of ratings and attendance, and that should be the most important takeaway from the games.
"They are competitive, and they should be competitive, and they should be able to show it however they want, but somehow that always derails the conversation," Springer said of the female athletes.
Dr. Tina Opie, an associate professor of management at Babson College, noted how many people called Reese "classless" for her actions.
"'Classless' is a dog whistle. It's similar to the term thug, and ghetto, and everything else. It's like the N word almost — I'm sorry, if you use the term you need to check yourself," Opie said.
Watch: '"Classless" is a dog whistle': Unpacking the criticism of NCAA champ Angel Reese’s trash talk
