USA Today Columnist Nancy Armor has recently claimed that Caitlin Clark poses a threat to gay black women in the WNBA because she supposedly enables “white supremacists” who threaten black individuals.
Caitlin Clark has been criticized in Armor’s column from July 23rd for allegedly inciting racial hatred. Armor asserts that Clark’s recent vocalization about the physical treatment she receives from opponents—many of whom Armor describes as “black and queer”—could lead to harmful repercussions for players in the league. It’s almost as though Clark’s experiences of abuse are acceptable, but only when they originate from certain players. To Armor, calling out such behavior seems problematic, possibly even racist in some way. She further accused Clark of fabricating her claims of mistreatment, labeling them as simply acts of “flopping” on the court, insisting that Clark is distorting reality.
Armor goes as far as to claim that Clark’s visible reactions and attempt to draw attention to her injuries could incite a “lynching” by “white supremacists.”
“Clark’s failures aren’t isolated; they’re influenced by broader societal issues,” Armor stressed, addressing criticisms that Clark might be a catalyst for racism.
Armor contended that Clark’s portrayal of being victimized by another player was designed to incite action from extremist groups, which she finds to be deeply concerning. She believes that some individuals among Clark’s supporters may harbor white supremacist sentiments—a situation complicated further by the predominantly black and queer makeup of the WNBA.
She also suggested that whenever Clark voices grievances over non-existent fouls or directs harsh comments at officials, it plays into racist narratives, implying that racists view her as a white woman deserving of protection.
Armor aimed to give her audience a historical overview, pointing out the nation’s painful legacy of violence against black individuals under the pretense of protecting white women. She referenced this weekend’s WNBA All-Star Game, highlighting its location in Chicago, the hometown of Emmett Till, alongside an exhibit exploring what Till’s life might have been without his tragic fate. Armor argued that while the WNBA must ensure the safety of its players, Clark also needs to consider the broader implications of her actions.
However, she didn’t acknowledge that thousands of white individuals also faced violence during the Jim Crow era. No mention was made of the current statistics showing that more black people are killed annually in Democratic-majority cities than during the entirety of Jim Crow.
Historians suggest that between 1877 and 1950, around 4,500 black individuals were lynched, compared to approximately 1,297 white individuals over the same period. Meanwhile, more than 8,000 black people are murdered each year in major urban areas governed by Democrats, according to the CDC.
Armor’s attempt to label Caitlin Clark’s fanbase as a group of racists and violent extremists feels overreaching, particularly as there are no incidents linking white fans to acts of violence as a result of their support for Clark. Ultimately, it’s Armor who might benefit from revisiting history.
