Indiana fever star Caitlin Clark Did not like what she heard from a fan at the end of the first quarter of the defeat of the series of Wednesday in Connecticut and motioned for the officials to remove the man from his second row seat. In the relative eyes of one eye, security caught the person on the shoulder and escorted him in a less visible area, where a discussion took place.
In the end, the person was authorized to return to his headquarters. And although the incident only lasted a few minutes, the optical figure linger in the Wgb Community because they have raised the question of whether the league has a double standard when it comes to harassment complaints. No more desire, the rapid resolution of a complaint of a white athlete has broken down against the months of silence that the black players received from the league office were targets of hatred supplied by the breed on social networks and in the arenas.
Security had a conversation with a fan after Caitlin Clark reported them to the Ref. pic.twitter.com/n6rcnav1qz
– ESPN (@espn) September 26, 2024
The influx of attention to the WNBA which followed Clark and its colleague recruit Angel Reese In the League, threatened the reputation he worked hard to cultivate, for inclusiveness, empathy and tolerance. He also questioned the direction of Commissioner Cathy Engelbert, who contributed to toxicity earlier this month when she said that racism was good for a growing company.
He was asked during an interview with CNBC which the league did to stay ahead of the “darker” and “more threatening” comments of the bases of fans on social networks. Instead of directly condemning vitriol, she bypassed the question by suggesting that the rivalry between Clark and Reese is good because she has brought a lot of eyes and interest to the League, not to mention more dollars of business to players. They should simply ignore the not very recommendable comments, she said.
She may not have wanted to imply that the increase in income is an acceptable excuse for manifest racism, but this is how the players’ union and some of its members interpreted its words. Their public conviction of Engelbert’s comments provoked the commissioner clarify your remarks The next day on social networks – “to be clear, there is absolutely no place for hatred or racism of any kind in WNBA or elsewhere,” she posted – and sends letters to each player in the League promising a future commitment.
It was a first positive step, although obvious, for a problem that continues to worsen. Connecticut off competition Alyssa Thomas Spoke about it on Wednesday evening after eliminating fever from the playoffs.
“During my 11-year career, I have never experienced (nothing like it) racial comments from the Indiana Fever fans’ base,” she said, adding: “It’s unacceptable, honestly.”
The WNBA published a declaration condemning racism and committing to work with teams, arenas and police to solve the problem, but what does that really mean? And why should someone believe that Engelbert has the answer? It is to be seen how badly it was to meet this moment, even when everyone knew that Clark and Reese brought large bases of fans to the league which tend to fall into racial and cultural lines.
Engelbert’s failure to do things the first time has been disappointing and disturbing, because you have only one chance of making a first impression on a subject of such importance.
I lost a lot of respect for the WNBA this year and I am a former player. Leadership has evaluated the dollars on the protection of their players and now at the end of the season, we get a declaration. Nah. I miss it with that. #isaidwhatisaid https://t.co/k60swhmbxp
– Tynesha Lewis (@imtynesha) September 26, 2024
Connecticut wing Dijonai Carrington recalled the bypass of the League before Wednesday’s match with an article on its Instagram history. He presented a screenshot of an email which she received after she did not inadvertently, according to her and Clark, pushed Clark into the eye in the game 1. The email described her as “n -B -B -” and said: “I hope someone rape you and cut your head”.
On Wednesday, some fans of Mohegan Sun Arena went beyond normal cheers and sides seen during most sporting events. A woman wore a t-shirt that read “Prohibit nails” And held the hands that included undisputed nails in colored paper, a disturbing caricature of Carrington and black cultivation. Another man, wearing a red Donald Trump baseball cap, Panel That said “Make Basketball Great Again # 22”, a nod to the Clark jersey. So much for these calls to keep politics out of sport, right?
Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner said on Thursday that there should be a uniform harassment policy.
“I do not appreciate the new fans who are sitting there and shout me with racial insults, my teammates and the people I play against,” she said, adding: “We are all worth playing in a safe environment.”
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The WNBA denounces negative messages sent to players
Carrrington’s girlfriend is Nalyssa Smithwho plays for fever. After Wednesday’s match, Smith revealed that Carrington had been followed and received death threats. Reese described the reception The same treatment After making fun of Clark in the LSU NCAA championship match two seasons ago. It developed this Thursday in an article on social networks.
“Over the past 2 years, the media have benefited from my pain and I being nasty to create a story,” she wrote. “They allowed this. It was beneficial to them. I sometimes share my experiences of things that have happened to me, but I also allowed me to happen for too long and now other players in this league are dealing with and experience the same things. It’s not at all.
Clark Friday Also criticized the attacks in similar terms to the comments it has made previously this season.
“No one in our league should face any kind of racism, injuring, disrespectful and hateful comments and threats,” she said. “They are not fans. These are trolls and it is a very bad service for the people of our league, the organization, the WNBA.”
While Clark’s feelings are welcome, calling these “trolls” attackers is too simplistic and disdainful. Racist attacks are perpetrated by racists. It is not a question of being pissed off or simply gas lighting.
The League and its teams are not helpless in this case. Hatred can never be fully eradicated; It is as much part of the history of this country as the stars and stripes. But there are measures that can be taken. On the one hand, the teams can control who and what is brought in their arenas. The only reason for someone connecting Trump’s campaign slogan to a sporting event featuring women with black and / or queer predominance is to cause an answer that has nothing to do with basketball. Ditto for the woman wearing paper nails similar to a wolverine.
The teams can also cross -check the names of social media accounts that publish hateful content with the names of seasonal subscription holders. If a match is found, this person can be prohibited to attend games.
Finally, Engelbert can hire someone who has expertise and skills to help the League navigate in the intersectionality of race, culture, sexuality and misogyny. This person would help restore the reputation of the League as a place where the concerns of black players and queer are as important as those of a right midwesterner.
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(Photo by Cathy Engelbert: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
