Caitlin Clark, named TIME Magazine’s Athlete of the Year for 2024 after an outstanding rookie season with the Indiana Fever, has sparked controversy by attributing her success to “White privilege” and declaring that the WNBA was “built” by Black women.
“I want to say I’ve earned every single thing, but as a white person, there is privilege,” Clark told TIME. “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,” she continued. “I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing.”
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Clark’s comments have drawn criticism from figures like Megyn Kelly, who accused her of “self-flagellation.”
“Look at this,” Kelly wrote. “She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation. The ‘oh, please pay attention to the black players who are REALLY the ones you want to celebrate.’ Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.”
Look at this. She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation. The “oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALY the ones you want to celebrate.” Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad. https://t.co/cTzk0CTLPn
— Megyn Kelly (@megynkelly) December 10, 2024
Since making her WNBA debut, Clark has been targeted by racially-charged commentary from many of her fellow players. As highlighted by Fox News, WNBA MVP A’ja Wilson said Clark being White was a “huge thing” when it came to Clark’s popularity. Angel Reese even said there had been “a lot of racism” from Iowa and Indiana Fever fans. Connecticut Sun player DiJonai Carrington, who poked Clark in the eye during a Connecticut playoff win over the Fever, previously criticized Clark for not doing more to call out racism.
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