Clark emerged as a phenomenon during her junior season at Iowa.Very few people had a negative word to say about her.
That changed during the NCAA tournament when LSU forward Angel Reese taunted Clark with the "You can't see me" gesture, the celebration Clark had made famous throughout her college career.Reese's taunt drew criticism online.Notably, Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy called her a "classless piece of s---."From that moment forward, a new narrative took hold, one that stated Reese received more backlash than Clark for the gesture because she is Black.
At this point, Clark was no longer just the sport's biggest star.She became a symbol in a broader cultural argument about race.The argument, of course, ignored an obvious distinction.
The "You can't see me" taunt, popularized by John Cena, had become Clark's signature.Reese intentionally stole it and waved it directly in Clark's face.
In wrestling, that would be viewed as classic heel behavior.Context mattered.But as you will soon read, facts matter very little in the commentary surrounding Caitlin Clark, much of which is fueled by a loathsome combination of race idolatry, jealousy, and territorialism.Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas scrambles to get up over Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark during a game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis on June 24, 2026.
The Phoenix Mercury defeated the Indiana Fever 111-109.(USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)CAITLIN CLARK BEING 'WHITE GIRL FROM THE MIDDLE OF AMERICA' HELPED CONNECT WITH YOUNG FANS, ESPN PUNDIT SAYSAs Clark's popularity grew during her rookie season, critics increasingly attributed it to "whiteness" rather than talent, charisma, or style of play.
Commentators such as Jemele Hill argued that Clark's appeal was inseparable from her being a straight White woman in a league made up primarily of Black and lesbian players."We would all be very naive if we didn't say race and her sexuality played a role in her popularity," Hill told the ...