By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-12-12 21:01:43 | Updated at 2024-12-13 00:52:00
4 hours ago
Caitlin Clark has doubled down on her comments about experiencing white privilege, despite being criticized in some corners for her remarks.
The WNBA star addressed the issue in an interview with TIME, who named her Athlete of the Year for 2024 in response to her breakthrough year with Indiana Fever.
The 22-year-old Clark said the WNBA has 'been built on' black players and that 'as a white person, there is privilege'.
It sparked an angry response from Megyn Kelly, who said Clark was apologizing for being white, while Jason Whitlock turned on her in a wild meltdown by saying she had turned 'woke'.
But Clark, speaking in New York at the Year in Time event, had no regrets about her comments when asked about the Kelly comments in a conversation with Maria Taylor.
'I grew up a fan of this league from a very young age,' Clark said. 'My favorite player was Maya Moore. I know what this league was about. And like I said, it's only been around 25-plus years.
Caitlin Clark has no regrets over her controversial 'white privilege' comments this week
Clark was asked about Megyn Kelly criticism at a TIME event in New York this week
'So I know there's been so many amazing black women that have been in this league. And continuing to uplift them, I think is very important. That's something I am very aware of.
'I feel like I've always had really good perspective on things that have happened in my life - whether that has been good or whether that has been bad.
'Coming to the WNBA, like I've said, I feel like I've earned every single thing that has happened to me over the course of my career.
'I just try to be real and authentic and share my truth. I feel like that is very easy for me. I am very comfortable in my own skin and that's kind of been how it is my entire life.'
Kelly had bemoaned Clark's so-called 'self-flagellation' in response to her TIME interview.
'She’s on the knee all but apologizing for being white and getting attention. The self-flagellation,' Kelly wrote on social media.
'The “oh pls pay attention to the black players who are REALY the ones you want to celebrate.” Condescending. Fake. Transparent. Sad.'
Clark found herself at the center of a race storm during her first season in the WNBA amid accusations that she was the victim of jealousy and bullying.
Kelly was furious that Clark, 22, was 'all but apologizing for being white' in her interview
Jason Whitlock also turned on Clark too in a furious meltdown on his YouTube channel
In one moment that captured the attention across the nation, the Fever star was shoved to the ground by Chicago Sky's Chennedy Carter.
Some figures, meanwhile, have also claimed that black players are not given the recognition they deserve.
'It doesn't matter how hard I work,' said A'ja Wilson, of the Las Vegas Aces, in May.
'It doesn't matter what we all do as black women, we're still going to be swept underneath the rug.'
