Caitlin Clark‘s interview with TIME continues to garner controversy as critics raise how she brought up her race, perceiving it as an insult to the other races. However, for Sue Bird, Clark raised an ongoing WNBA issue that empowered women who lack opportunities in sports.
In an episode of her podcast with Megan Rapinoe, Bird believes Clark understands the racial dynamics within the WNBA, mainly how black women are less noticed within the league, and these beliefs were unfortunately misunderstood by many and perceived as harmful.
“Her race doesn’t put the ball in the hoop. A lot of people have this idea that she’s just a great basketball player, and that’s it. I get that. Nobody’s race puts the ball in the hoop. At the same time, she isn’t apologizing. I don’t read that remark and think she’s apologizing for being white. What she’s doing is acknowledging how our country is set up in terms of race, which I thought was wonderful,” Bird said.
Bird added that Caitlin Clark highly regards African Americans in the WNBA, mentioning Maya Moore as Clark’s biggest inspiration, something that some of her fans overlook and only want her due to her ethnicity.
“She says how she watched the WNBA, looks up to Maya Moore, like she knows what’s up. And now this faction of her fanbase, which we’ve discussed before, is now disgusted with her acknowledging this, showing they were never really here for basketball,” the WNBA legend added.
Caitlin Clark made it clear in the TIME interview that she’s using her “white privilege” to provide prospects for Black women, and she’s not renouncing these beliefs. Some, like Bird, understood Clark’s point and are willing to support her goals in resolving this issue.
Caitlin Clark grateful for retiring her Hawkeyes jersey
Caitlin Clark’s No.22 jersey at the Iowa Hawkeyes will be retired on February 2, and she’s deeply appreciative about it.
Gaining numerous awards during her stint with the Hawkeyes, Clark solidified her name within the team, shaping her young legacy as one of the leaders of a new generation of women’s basketball players.
The Indiana Fever star is grateful for this achievement, sharing how she deeply cherishes the Hawkeyes “bigger than just basketball.”
“I’m forever proud to be a Hawkeye and Iowa holds a special place in my heart that is bigger than just basketball,” Clark said.
“It means the world to me to receive this honor and to celebrate it with my family, friends and alumni. It will be a great feeling to look up in the rafters and see my jersey alongside those that I’ve admired for so long.”
Throughout four years with the Hawkeyes, Caitlin Clark led her team to three Big Ten titles and two national finals appearances. She averaged 28.4 points, the most in college women’s basketball.
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Dan has been active in sports since 2016 and has worked behind the scenes as a scriptwriter for basketball, volleyball, and other sports. At a time, Dan has also been working as a sports commentator for CBA Pilipinas. During the pandemic, he has also been actively writing betting articles for CashBet and BetNow.
