LSU Star Refutes Biden’s Dual Invite
When a team wins a championship, it is honorable for the winning team to visit the White House. Earlier this week, First Lady Jill Biden suggested inviting Louisiana State University and the University of Iowas’ womens basketball teams following a memorable championship game. Now, First Lady Biden is receiving negative commentary around her response to dual invite both teams, especially from LSU star player Angel Reese.
Reese called the dual invite “A JOKE” in a tweet with three laughing emojis.
Dual Invite
First Lady Biden found some time to attend the championship game Sunday night before her Monday event in Denver. During her event, she congratulated both teams saying, “I know we’ll have the champions come to the White House; we always do. So, we hope LSU will come,” the First lady said. “But, you know, I’m going to tell Joe I think Iowa should come too, because they played such a good game.”
Never in the history of sports has the runner-up been invited to the White House. Before Vanessa Valdivia, the press secretary for the First Lady, can clarify, Reese unfavorably reacts to her response. All season, naysayers criticized Reese for being “too hood” and “too ghetto,” playing the game. Despite the derogatory labels, Reese played a competitive game in the championship, trash-talking against opponent Caitlin Clark. The best wrap-up of the game is depicted when Reese waves her hand openly in front of her face – notarized by WWE star John Cena to mean “you can’t see me.” The gesture sparked outrage on social media. Some criticized Reese, while others defended her actions, highlighting how there was no public outcry to Clark doing the same gesture earlier in the tournament.
Double Standard
The walk back Biden did to retract her comments has sentiments of what sociologists say is racist and sexist roots. Reese became characterized as not ladylike and not sophisticated as a player. Some may call it a misogynistic double standard of because society glorifies this style of play in men’s sports.
Even with the invitation to the White House, Reese is confident in being unapologetically herself. Instead, she would be happier, visiting the Obamas.
Featured Image by Maddie Meyer / Getty Images