Caitlyn Clark, recently named Time’s Athlete of the Year, shared her thoughts on the racial dynamics that emerged after her WNBA draft. She emphasized how Black WNBA players have paved the way for athletes like herself.
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While speaking with the outlet, Clark acknowledged her privilege and stated, “I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a White person, there is privilege.” “A lot of those players in the league that have been really good have been Black players,” she continued. The Indiana Fever star highlighted how essential it is for brands and companies to invest in Black athletes, as they have established a strong foundation for the league’s success: “The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
Back in September, Clark previously addressed online harassment, including racial trolling, and said players shouldn’t have to endure it: “Nobody in our league should be facing any sort of racism, disrespectful or hurtful comments and threats.”
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During the interview, Clark also stated that she felt like the subject of controversy during the previous season and wanted to push away narratives concerning anti-LBGTQ and racist rhetoric.
“I tell people I feel like the most controversial person. But I am not. It’s just because of all the storylines that surround me. I literally try to live and treat everybody in the same exact respectful, kind way. It just confuses me at times.”
WNBA star Angel Reese has spoken out about the racism they faced this season. In a post on X, Reese highlighted the insufficient actions taken to protect players against racism, as she and Clark are often pitted against each other.
“The media has benefited from my pain & me being villainized to create a narrative. They allowed this. This was beneficial to them… Y’all a little late to the party and could have tried to put out this fire way before it started.”
