Megan Rapinoe Takes Side In The Caitlin Clark 'White Privilege' Debate
12/19/2024 12:50 PM
WNBA superstar Caitlin Clark has received equal praise and backlash over the past week for comments she made during an interview with TIME Magazine.
Clark, the No. 1 pick from the 2024 WNBA Draft, was named TIME's Athlete of the Year. That seemed to be a no-brainer considering the rookie phenom for the Indiana Fever has legitimately elevated women's basketball to new heights. Instead of taking full credit for the WNBA's rise in popularity, Clark decided to talk about the women who came before her. In doing so, she talked about benefitting from white privilege.
"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. I have to continue to try to change that. The more we can elevate Black women, that's going to be a beautiful thing."
On this week's edition of the "A Touch More" podcast, former United States soccer star Megan Rapinoe offered her take on Clark's comments about white privilege.
Rapinoe, a two-time World Cup champion, seems to be siding with Clark in this debate.
"I think what Caitlin did in her quotes, or in the article, was speak explicitly about her white privilege, like and that is what is receiving so much criticism or backlash, and like that is the lesson," Rapinoe said, via OutKick. "So, you know, for conservative media coming at her now that obviously they're just showing their whole [expletive]. If fans are upset about her saying that and just acknowledging what is true, I think that says a lot.
"But I think the more that you speak directly to it the clearer it becomes what your stance is, and then you can't be used in that way. It doesn't really leave your beliefs or your stance as a white player to any sort of interpretation."
It's not a huge surprise to see Rapinoe defend Clark in this situation. The Olympic gold medalist has praised the rookie sensation numerous times in the past few months.
Of course, not every single person loves what Clark had to say. Political commentators like Megyn Kelly have been highly critical of the WNBA star in recent days.
Clark, however, doesn't seem bothered by all the noise. Besides, she told the world last week that she's great at tuning out her critics.
Related: Megyn Kelly Claims Caitlin Clark's WNBA Career Is 'Done'
