Skip To...
Many basketball fans around the world are furious with Caitlin Clark after she spoke about white privilege during an interview with Time. In case you missed it, the Indiana Fever star was recently named Time’s Athlete of the Year. During her interview, she discussed many aspects of her life. One of the statements that caught people’s attention was about her success as a baller. As she was chatting, the Rookie of the Year said that she’s earned the fame she’s experiencing. However, according to her, the surge that women’s basketball is receiving isn’t solely because of her.
Clark pointed to the Black athletes who came before her as trailblazers of the game. She also mentioned how her privilege as a “white person” has helped catapult her into superstardom. She hopes that the athletes of color will also get their share of the praise. “The more we can elevate Black women, that’s going to be a beautiful thing,” she said.
WNBA Fans Are Livid With Caitlin Clark for Mentioning White Privilege in Interview
Caitlin Clark’s statement about creating a more inclusive space was mostly met with positive reactions. However, a few online critics clapped back at the basketball icon for giving into “woke” ideology. One person wrote on Instagram how “disappointed” they were in Clark for caving into the “fantasy world of the delusional left.” They continued, saying they used to be a massive fan of the 22-year-old. “Unfortunately, your ego and attitude is starting to stink more than your skills shine.” The commenter went on, blasting Caitlin for using her platform “to push people apart.”
Someone else also chimed in, pointing to the recent presidential election, which ended with a shocking win for former president Donald Trump. “76 million people just voted NO on WOKE and YES for Trump. YOU caved, YOU blew it!”
Others also shared their sensationalized opinions, saying the basketball player “betrayed” her whole fan base. “We can tell you’re a closet liberal caving to the woke leftist in the WNBA,” someone else posted. “Liberalism is a disease.”
Has Caitlin Spoken Out About the Racism WNBA Players Have Faced?
Caitlin Clark’s statement about white privilege isn’t the first time she’s been vocal about injustice in the league. Throughout the 2024 season, many players voiced their opinions about the seemingly racist pushback they received from (Indiana Fever) fans and the media. During an interview with The Athletic in September, Clark called it “upsetting.”
“Nobody in our league should be facing any sort of racism, hurtful, disrespectful, hateful comments and threats,” she continued. Clark went on, saying the people spewing ignorant statements toward her peers aren’t real supporters. “… those are trolls, and it’s a real disservice to the people in our league, the organization, and the WNBA.”
In August, Connecticut Sun player Dijonai Carrington posted on X, formerly Twitter, calling Clark’s fans out. “The Indiana fever [has] the nastiest fans in the W. ew,” she wrote.
Days later, a fan tweeted about the problematic language they heard about Dijonai during the Fever’s playoff game against the Sun.
“I’m at the Sun/Fever game, and the vibe is HORRENDOUS,” they wrote. “The woman behind me was mocking DiJonai’s eyelashes & only stopped when my partner turned around & told her to stop being racist. There’s a man in a MAGA hat. Then there’s THIS woman in a “ban nails” shirt & cartoonishly fake nails.”
Since the W is officially on break, players haven’t had to face much heat from overinvolved Clark fans. However, many are hoping this conversation will be addressed before the start of the 2025 season.
