The most frequently asked question I’ve received over the past couple of weeks is about the conversation surrounding WNBA star Caitlin Clark. People wonder why we cover it so often, why interest is so high, and why some WNBA players are now the subject of cable news.
The answer, simply put, is that the story goes beyond the WNBA, basketball and sports. What happens to Caitlin Clark is emblematic of how we discuss and deal with racism in America.
Clark is a generational talent whose fame is transcendent. According to recent estimates, it could increase the value of the WNBA by more than $1 billion. She’s also a straight white woman in a league in which black and LGBTQ culture are central to the ethos.
Unlike other heterosexual white women in the league, Clark did not initially speak the code or atone for her whiteness. She wanted, to use a popular expression, stick to sports.
The players and commentators are angry with him. They tried to deal with his celebrity by dismissing it as the product of systemic racism or great white hope.
The WNBA community has fallen under the spell of the same Marxist concept behind Black Lives Matter and the pro-Palestinian movement. These groups believe in the idea that success is the result of exploitation.
In the case of the WNBA, Angel Reese, DiJonai Carrington, Monica McNutt and Chiney Ogwumike view Clark’s popularity as a rejection of black women. In fact, ESPN columnist David Dennis Jr., in a now-deleted tweetaccused Caitlin Clark fans of rooting For her as a means of grounding against black women.
This is all a lie.
However, proponents of this dark and destructive theory have managed to hijack the conversation. According to the narrative, black women are just trying to play basketball, but Clark’s racist fans won’t let them. In reality, the way black players treated Clark undermined the game on the field.
Caitlin Clark of Indiana Fever. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Like most conversations about race in America, narrative often trumps reality. Most people would rather self-censor than risk someone calling them “racist” or “betrayal” for pointing out the obvious.
Take for example the last two weeks.
The WNBA launched another investigates alleged racism against Angel Reese, who presents herself as Clark’s main rival. Once again, the league found nothing. Angel Smollett strikes again.
Add that to growth list of race-related hoaxes in the world of sport.
Meanwhile, there are concrete examples of racism within the WNBA. Days after Reese appeared to lie to reporters about the alleged racist chants, she shared a TikTok video mocking Clark for being a little “white girl afraid of catching the fade” with a photo of Reese trying to fight her.
Last Thursday, Brittney Griner appeared to say “Trash, fucking white girl” from the bench during a game against the Fever.
OutKick has asked the WNBA for comment on both incidents. Crickets.
The WNBA community has been clear: baseless allegations of racism against Black players will be handled with the utmost sensitivity, while actual racism against Caitlin Clark will be completely ignored.
Consider that after enduring a full season of racist harassment, Clark was the one who posted a false acknowledgment of her white privilege after the season (twice).
In his mind, it was easier to apologize to the bullies than to defend himself. Certainly, other white people in America can relate.
In a normally functioning society, there would be no such controversies and debates surrounding the subject. The treatment of Caitlin Clark is wrong. The racial double standards are blatant. No honest person could dispute that.
Yet here we are. One way or another, the racists have crafted a narrative in which they are the victims.
But we shouldn’t be surprised. The conversations about BLM, DEI, and CRT are no different. In each case, a vocal and vicious minority succeeded in forcing the rest of society into submission and silence.
As a society, we cannot continue to operate like this. We cannot let truth fade in the face of fear.
So can we finally have an honest discussion about race? If so, some obvious statements need to be made.
Caitlin Clark fans are not racist. The people angry at the success of a white woman are the racists. Clark does not have white privilege. If she did, she wouldn’t have to constantly apologize for her skin color. More people hate Clark because of his skin color than love him for it.
None of this should be so difficult to say, and yet so few people are willing to say it.
The discussion around Caitlin Clark highlights how we are a nation still too afraid to honestly discuss race. And that must change.
It’s bigger than basketball.
