Angel Reese incites criticism from Chicago supporters due to her use of an insensitive nickname for the city.
Following a promising start with the Chicago Sky during the preseason, Angel Reese finds herself once again under scrutiny, this time from residents of Chicago itself.
Despite the rookie forward acknowledging in the past that she’s fallible like anyone else, she faced a barrage of criticism for a seemingly innocuous tweet.
Several users attempted to enlighten the basketball player on why it’s inappropriate to use the term “RAQ” in reference to Chicago. “Oh no sis. Please refrain from using that term and inadvertently glamorizing gun violence,” one user asserted. Another commented, “You’re doing great, but we don’t endorse or agree with this term. It casts a negative shadow on the city.”
Others regarded it as a direct insult, as its usage glorifies a dark period in Chicago’s history. “We don’t embrace ‘The Raq’; we only refer to it as ‘The Chi’. That’s a demonstration of love and respect for the city. Only those who despise it use ‘The Raq’ or ‘Chi-Raq’. We don’t associate with that name.”
The origins trace back to the early 2010s when Chicago rapper King Louie coined the term “Chiraq,” blending Chicago and Iraq to draw attention to the escalating violence in the city.
The term gained further traction and ignited controversy in 2015 with the release of Spike Lee’s film, “Chi-Raq.” The fictional narrative tackles gun violence in the city, with critics arguing that the title perpetuated negative stereotypes by likening Chicago to war-torn regions like Iraq.
Reese has not offered any additional remarks on the issue, but the unintended use of “The Raq” sparked a debate among Chicago residents, underscoring the sensitivity surrounding the depiction of the city and its struggles with violence. While some viewed it as an innocent mistake, others perceived it as disrespectful and insensitive.
As individuals engage in this conversation, it emphasizes the importance of sensitivity and awareness when addressing the intricate challenges confronting urban communities like Chicago.
