Amid increasing attention and scrutiny on the WNBA, Indiana Fever rookie Caitlin Clark has spoken out against the use of her name in promoting racist and misogynistic comments directed at WNBA players. This issue was brought into the spotlight following a post by Connecticut Sun guard DiJonai Carrington, who responded to Clark’s earlier comments emphasizing her focus on basketball.
Dawg. How one can not be bothered by their name being used to justify racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia, homophobia & the intersectionalities of them all is nuts. We all see the sh*t. We all have a platform. We all have a voice & they all hold weight. Silence is a luxury.
— dιjonaι carrιngтon♛ (@DijonaiVictoria) June 13, 2024
After the Fever’s practice on Thursday, Clark addressed the backlash, expressing her disappointment. “It’s disappointing. I think everyone in our world deserves the same amount of respect,” Clark stated. “The women around our league deserve the same amount of respect. People should not be using my name to push those agendas.”
Clark stressed the importance of mutual respect and basic human decency. “Some of the women in this league were my biggest idols and role models growing up, helping me want to achieve this moment right here that I get to play in every single night,” she said. “Just be a kind person and treat them how you would want to be treated. I think that’s very simple.”
As the top overall pick in this season’s WNBA Draft, Caitlin Clark has been a prominent figure even before her debut with the Indiana Fever. Her performance on the court and the recent news of her exclusion from the Team USA Olympic roster have fueled discussions about her and the league, attracting both support and criticism.
This weekend, Clark’s Fever will face the Chicago Sky, featuring fellow rookies Angel Reese and Kamilla Cordoso, who played pivotal roles in defeating Clark’s Iowa team in the last two NCAA championships. The game is set to take place in Indiana on Sunday, June 16, at 12 p.m. ET
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