Caitlin Clark Injury Welcome Opportunity For Racist Fearmongering
Indianapolis, Indiana
As the middle of her third season nears, Caitlin Clark is the subject of yet another on-the-court controversy. Media members have seized on this most recent incident to go beyond the star’s typically neutral stance on off-court issues to add to the discourse surrounding the politics of the WNBA. When reached for comment by multiple outlets, former Louisiana state representative and weeklong Fever fan David Duke had this to say:
“Caitlin Clark is a terrific specimen of a young woman and a credit to our great race. It is deplorable that the referees allow her to be so beset by lesser… uhh, athletes. The Fever are fortunate to have strong leaders like Sophie Cunningham to keep the team afloat while Caitlin is out.” The Thursday evening altercation with Phoenix Mercury star Alyssa Thomas left both players sidelined for last Saturday’s game, and raised discussion about the physicality of play and its impact on both players and the sport at large.
Referees failed to call Thomas for a hard foul in the moment, serving her a 1 game suspension a day later. Caitlin Clark was subject to more than 17% of the flagrant fouls in the WNBA her freshmen outing before losing most of her sophomore season to injury. Inconsistencies and mistakes in officiating have raised significant outcry this season. Some WNBA experts like Boomer Esiason have even gone so far as to suggest that Clark should take her talents overseas in light of the clear discrimination she faces as a straight white woman in the league.
“Given that Indianapolis is such a diverse city, with a majority non-white population and a thriving and vibrant queer community, I’m glad that real journalists like Esiason can cut through the noise and get to the heart of the issue. Too many people here in Indy are consumed with fears about Caitlin Clark’s health and the disinterest league officials have in protecting her. We need voices focusing on using altercations like this to stoke racial animus and ensure that the petty concerns of the majority of Fever fans don’t drown out their narrative.” said Carly Halpenny, Fever fan and astute Indy resident.
The Indiana Fever put out a statement derided by many as self absorbed and out of touch, highlighting the importance of good officiating for keeping players safe. At press time Clark’s camp has yet to respond for comment.