The ‘W’ in WNBA Stands for White

White privilege is such a crazy phenomenon. Half the talent, but double the success. Protection even when they are the aggressor. It doesn’t matter what industry you’re in; you’ve been affected by white privilege.

The WNBA has always had a history of promoting its white (and straight or not visibly queer) players over its black and queer players, but this year, it has outdone itself.

With Caitlin Clark being selected #1 in the WNBA draft this past year, long-term fans knew what was going to happen. The face of the league went from Sabrina Ionescu to Caitlin Clark, both white straight women who have fewer accolades than black and queer players.

The team that drafted CC has over 15 nationally televised games (their season is only 40 games), and when she’s playing, no one else on the court matters. And when she’s not playing, commentators are still talking about her.

But what’s worse is the rabid and racist fanbase she has brought with her. Fans who are wondering why the vets aren’t “going easy on her” and are trying to figure out how to get her traded to a “better” team because her shooting ability isn’t enough to make her team win. (They are currently 2-9).

It would be astounding if it weren’t the norm for how quickly the league has rallied behind her. Last year, Britney Griner was harassed at the airport, and there was no push for charter flights. Now that it’s a straight white woman, the tune is a little different.

As a black queer person, it’s frustrating seeing how quickly the league can change and improve for one white woman when the black and queer women around the league have been asking for this help for years. It’s unfortunate that no matter what industry you are in, change doesn’t happen until a white person is in danger.