Caitlin Clark upsetting a lot of her fans with her statements about white privilege

real_kellen_olmstead_four wrote:

Sighs. There goes much of her fan base and despite her capitulation, the others who truly think she has white privilege will still not like her success in the WNBA. She should have just said nothing.

from Outkick:

Caitlin Clark Says She Benefits From ‘White Privilege’ In WNBA

Caitlin Clark is the biggest star in the WNBA and thanks to her outstanding college career and professional debut, has become one of the American sports world's biggest stars. She's earned every bit of her success by transcending the sport, giving people a personality to root for and paying it off with exceptional performance.
But even she apparently can't escape the absurdity of woke progressive politics that's infested the WNBA.
Clark was named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2024, a reasonable choice considering the impact she's had. But in a lengthy, far-ranging interview with Time, she essentially apologized for being white and playing in a league dominated by black players.
"I've been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women's sports, let alone women's basketball, and turn them into fans," Clark said, acknowledging that she in particular has had an outsized impact on the WNBA.
"I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege," she continued.
"A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing."

real_kellen_olmstead_four wrote:

Sighs. There goes much of her fan base and despite her capitulation, the others who truly think she has white privilege will still not like her success in the WNBA. She should have just said nothing.

from Outkick:

Caitlin Clark Says She Benefits From ‘White Privilege’ In WNBA

Caitlin Clark is the biggest star in the WNBA and thanks to her outstanding college career and professional debut, has become one of the American sports world's biggest stars. She's earned every bit of her success by transcending the sport, giving people a personality to root for and paying it off with exceptional performance.
But even she apparently can't escape the absurdity of woke progressive politics that's infested the WNBA.
Clark was named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2024, a reasonable choice considering the impact she's had. But in a lengthy, far-ranging interview with Time, she essentially apologized for being white and playing in a league dominated by black players.
"I've been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women's sports, let alone women's basketball, and turn them into fans," Clark said, acknowledging that she in particular has had an outsized impact on the WNBA.
"I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege," she continued.
"A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing."

Crascrenbon wrote:

Exactly. Remember her SNL appearance where she gave an obviously scripted statement listing off every prominent black player from the past and thanking them for "opening the door" for her? The WNBA is by far the most woke sports organization out there and it isn't even close -- and in 2024 that's really saying something. So of course she is pressured to speak the angry racists' "truth" whenever that varies from the actual truth. It's totally nonsensical to say she has privilege in the league, the black players beat the tar out of her every game and the refs don't call many fouls, and then meanwhile the media tried to play up Angel Reese as if she was a contender for rookie of the year when it was clear to anyone with eyes that Clark is already one of the best players in the league, never mind best rookie.

real_kellen_olmstead_four wrote:

Sighs. There goes much of her fan base and despite her capitulation, the others who truly think she has white privilege will still not like her success in the WNBA. She should have just said nothing.

from Outkick:

Caitlin Clark Says She Benefits From ‘White Privilege’ In WNBA

Caitlin Clark is the biggest star in the WNBA and thanks to her outstanding college career and professional debut, has become one of the American sports world's biggest stars. She's earned every bit of her success by transcending the sport, giving people a personality to root for and paying it off with exceptional performance.
But even she apparently can't escape the absurdity of woke progressive politics that's infested the WNBA.
Clark was named Time Magazine's Athlete of the Year for 2024, a reasonable choice considering the impact she's had. But in a lengthy, far-ranging interview with Time, she essentially apologized for being white and playing in a league dominated by black players.
"I've been able to captivate so many people that have never watched women's sports, let alone women's basketball, and turn them into fans," Clark said, acknowledging that she in particular has had an outsized impact on the WNBA.
"I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege," she continued.
"A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been black players. This league has kind of been built on them. The more we can appreciate that, highlight that, talk about that, and then continue to have brands and companies invest in those players that have made this league incredible, I think it’s very important. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing."

trollism wrote:

Crascrenbon wrote:

Exactly. Remember her SNL appearance where she gave an obviously scripted statement listing off every prominent black player from the past and thanking them for "opening the door" for her? The WNBA is by far the most woke sports organization out there and it isn't even close -- and in 2024 that's really saying something. So of course she is pressured to speak the angry racists' "truth" whenever that varies from the actual truth. It's totally nonsensical to say she has privilege in the league, the black players beat the tar out of her every game and the refs don't call many fouls, and then meanwhile the media tried to play up Angel Reese as if she was a contender for rookie of the year when it was clear to anyone with eyes that Clark is already one of the best players in the league, never mind best rookie.

And then she walks off the court having earned more money than every player on the court put together.

That's what she's talking about.

A black player of equal ability is getting a fraction of the attention and endorsements. It's not that complicated.

Crascrenbon wrote:

Vee_Eye_Tee wrote:

it's not hard to understand clark's point. really. use your noggins. she didn't make the olympic roster. she struggled at the beginning of the season. she was tops in assists but finished 7th in ppg. she helped take her team to the playoffs, but then went out 2-0 in best of 3 play.

and yet, who is the one WNBA player besides griner everyone on the street can name?

exactly.

Maybe you don't go back to the 1980s but there was a time when you could have made similar arguments about Michael Jordan. Jordan was already the most popular and best known athlete in the league by the mid-80s even though in his first three seasons the Bulls got bounced in round one each time, winning only one playoff game across those three seasons. And then for the next three years they were able to advance in the Eastern playoffs but got waxed by the Pistons when they met, all three years. They didn't even make the Finals until Jordan's seventh year. And yet, Jordan literally was Mr. NBA despite all that. So your argument that it makes no sense for Clark to be Ms. WNBA right now makes no sense.