In a world where social media has become a breeding ground for hate, misogyny, and racism, athletes are among the most vulnerable to faceless attacks. The anonymity of online platforms emboldens the worst of society, allowing people to spew vile abuse without consequence, while the targets—often Black, female, or from marginalized communities—are expected to endure it in silence.
But Khadija "Bunny" Shaw refused to stay silent.
On Sunday, Shaw delivered the perfect response to her abusers—on and off the pitch. She scored twice in Manchester City Women’s 4-0 victory over Liverpool, but it was her post-goal celebration that resonated far beyond the walls of the City Football Academy.
After her first goal, Shaw stood with her right fist raised and her head bowed, mirroring the iconic Black Power salute of Tommie Smith and John Carlos at the 1968 Olympic Games. It was a moment of defiance, strength, and pride, a stark reminder that racism in football—especially in women’s football—cannot and should not be ignored.
Shaw’s actions were not just symbolic; they were personal. As reported by the BBC, she had recently been the target of racist abuse following Manchester City’s 4-3 loss to Arsenal in early February. The abuse was so severe and traumatic that she made herself unavailable for selection in their League Cup semi-final against Arsenal just days later.
This is the ugly reality for many athletes today. We have seen it happen time and again. Social media, once thought to be a bridge between athletes and fans, has become a battleground where faceless cowards hurl insults, hiding behind their screens.
It is a societal issue that goes beyond sports. Colin Kaepernick was blackballed for kneeling against police brutality. Tommie Smith and John Carlos were ostracized for raising their fists. And yet, we live in a world where politicians, public figures, and influencers can spew hatred without consequence.
Shaw could have responded to the abuse in many ways—by retaliating, by lashing out, or by stepping away from the game altogether. Instead, she took a stand with dignity. She did not give her abusers the satisfaction of an emotional reaction. Instead, she let her football do the talking.
City manager Gareth Taylor recognized the power of her silent protest. “It’s powerful,” he said. “She’s a proud Black woman, and where she is from means a lot to her. We will always support her, and the reaction of the crowd meant a lot to her.”
Her teammates, too, stood by her. Lauren Hemp said, “Bunny has been through a lot recently, so it’s great for her and it’s great for us to see her back scoring goals like she always has done.”
And the numbers prove her dominance. Despite missing two league games, Shaw remains the WSL’s top scorer with 11 goals, three more than her closest rival. Since joining Manchester City in 2021, she has scored 88 goals in just 102 appearances, earning back-to-back Player of the Year honours.
Liverpool manager Matt Beard summed it up perfectly:
"It could have been 6-4 tonight in chances. The difference tonight was Bunny Shaw."
Shaw’s celebration was a powerful reminder that racism still plagues football. Despite the progress made in recent years, Black female athletes continue to face discrimination, exclusion, and abuse.
And it is not just a football problem. It is a societal failure.
For too long, good people have stayed silent. We see social media platforms refuse to take accountability for the vitriol they allow to spread. We see parents failing to teach their children decency. We see governing bodies slow to act—offering only performative gestures and hollow slogans while failing to implement real change.
Enough is enough.
There needs to be an aggressive pushback against injustice, racism and online abuse. This starts with holding social media companies accountable, demanding stronger protections for athletes, and changing the way we educate young people about race, respect, and decency.
Athletes are not machines. They are people. They feel pain, they feel disappointment, they feel heartbreak. They are not immune to the cruel, callous words thrown at them daily.
Shaw’s Black Power salute was more than just a celebration. It was a call to action. It was a statement that the abuse shall not break her, that the hatred shall not silence her, and that she will continue to rise above it all.
As Courtney Sweetman-Kirk put it:
"Man City needed the moment, they needed the big-game player. That’s how you prove a point to people."
And Bunny Shaw proved her point.