Well said. For a while, it seemed like we had put a great deal of racism behind us. But once the left realized they could win elections by elevating racism we went backwards. From the 1619 project to BLM, the left saw the power of being racist.
One can't say exactly what Martin Luther King would think of today's racist movement, but it certainly seems the antithesis of his words that a person should be judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin.
Beautifully put, all of it. If Clark had set race aside, she could easily have found gracious words with which to say, "This award isn't for me. It's for all the fantastic athletes--my teammates and competitors--who have built this league into what it is." But she chose to racialize, and that's always a bad choice that leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
This is Orwellian! She chose to “racialize” to conform with the rest of the racists in her league that make everything about oppressor-oppressed identities like race and sexual orientation.
Blame her for conforming - I certainly do - but don’t blame her for being the one to “racialize”.
When I was an elementary school student in Newton, MA during the Celtics/Lakers Bird/Magic rivalry, I knew there were high emotions. One of my earliest memories of life is of my across the street neighbor coming out of his house with a big sign and yelling across the street "Go Celtics, Beat LA!!" But, as a young kid...I had no idea that it was black LA vs. white Boston. I just thought it was LA vs. Boston. The adults kept their arguments about race to themselves -- or at least they kept them out of schools. Now elementary school students are steeped in a racialized view of Caitlin Clark before they even encounter the genuine article.
Ms Clark does not help the situation by genuflecting at the racial retribution altar. The WNBA continually shoots itself in the foot attaching political correctness to its daily story. Just play basketball, girls, please.
I wonder if she realizes the White Savior tenor of her comments? Or as you said is so steeped in the culture and criticism that she bends the knee because she knows no other way? Regardless, “she only got it because she’s white” will always weigh her down.
Best sentences in this piece: "The words that Clark spoke were not her own words, words earned through actual experiences, but words that are ideological constructs crafted over the years by racial justice activists. This great athlete who honed her own individual style of play into one of such charisma that it draws major crowds, was simply conforming to cliched racial mantras." Most of what we hear from "public intellectuals" fits this description. Our universities has disgraced themselves producing such vacuous thinking.
Thank you for the excellent essay about the effects of our current leaders/elite efforts to justify the vilification of talent through racial means. Racism as I was taught is based on the hatred of another based exclusively on their skin color. Today‘s racism appears to me to be based on the assumption that status/privilege itself is justification for hatred/revenge. Vince Everett Ellison has often said, “I’m not a victim, I’m a free man” my freedom given to me by God not the Democratic party. We are in a class war with the elite/privileged goading the poor uneducated masses in our most populous big cities to blame their situation on someone or something other than their own corrupt/failed/deceptive leadership.
“you can ignore reality, but you can’t ignore the consequences of reality”. Western society is trapped in a delusional, self destructive downward spiral into a disaster for everyone regardless of race or class.
Thank you. Precisely as you state - there’s no privilege on the court! Of on any competition playing field. It was very sad to see Ms Clark denigrating herself. It was even sadder to see how American society has caused her to need to feel this way. I thought sports was one of the last bastions where only talent counted?
"The words that Clark spoke were not her own words, but ideological constructs crafted by activists." This is the problem. You get canceled if you don't read the script. But a good leader will take the challenge and show people how to really deal with the bullies. I've been in many groups where we've been asked to bow and scrape before sanctimonious, power-playing dopes. I just refuse. People are shocked, but the world keeps turning! :)
What an absolutely fantastic article!! Thank you for writing this. I was gearing up to writing a piece on this but you’ve really done this great justice by having the context of the Netflix series in this. Bravo!!!
Well said. For a while, it seemed like we had put a great deal of racism behind us. But once the left realized they could win elections by elevating racism we went backwards. From the 1619 project to BLM, the left saw the power of being racist.
One can't say exactly what Martin Luther King would think of today's racist movement, but it certainly seems the antithesis of his words that a person should be judged by the content of their character, rather than the color of their skin.
I imagine Dr King would have reiterated that the goal is equality of opportunity not outcome.
I would say “freedom” of opportunity .
Eli, thanks again for great words of wisdom!
The best thing I've read about this topic! Thanks!
Beautifully put, all of it. If Clark had set race aside, she could easily have found gracious words with which to say, "This award isn't for me. It's for all the fantastic athletes--my teammates and competitors--who have built this league into what it is." But she chose to racialize, and that's always a bad choice that leaves a sour taste in the mouth.
This is Orwellian! She chose to “racialize” to conform with the rest of the racists in her league that make everything about oppressor-oppressed identities like race and sexual orientation.
Blame her for conforming - I certainly do - but don’t blame her for being the one to “racialize”.
Exactly she’s just conforming to the culture! I doubt she actually even believes what she said!
When I was an elementary school student in Newton, MA during the Celtics/Lakers Bird/Magic rivalry, I knew there were high emotions. One of my earliest memories of life is of my across the street neighbor coming out of his house with a big sign and yelling across the street "Go Celtics, Beat LA!!" But, as a young kid...I had no idea that it was black LA vs. white Boston. I just thought it was LA vs. Boston. The adults kept their arguments about race to themselves -- or at least they kept them out of schools. Now elementary school students are steeped in a racialized view of Caitlin Clark before they even encounter the genuine article.
It was just LA v Boston. Always
Thank you so much, Eli. More people should hear your excellent perspective!
There is no privilege on the court.
(Eli- you said it all right here.)
Ms Clark does not help the situation by genuflecting at the racial retribution altar. The WNBA continually shoots itself in the foot attaching political correctness to its daily story. Just play basketball, girls, please.
Huh? I’m 78; any lady under 60 is a “girl,” (tic) and most will smile, chuckle, and take the well-intended compliment with grace.
Sorry, you called them girls - you are canceled.
P.S. IMO it is *way* worse than mere political correctness. It is full fledged oppressor-oppressed woke intersectionality ideology.
I wonder if she realizes the White Savior tenor of her comments? Or as you said is so steeped in the culture and criticism that she bends the knee because she knows no other way? Regardless, “she only got it because she’s white” will always weigh her down.
Steeped in the culture? Far more likely she has given in to the culture. Not the same thing at all.
Best sentences in this piece: "The words that Clark spoke were not her own words, words earned through actual experiences, but words that are ideological constructs crafted over the years by racial justice activists. This great athlete who honed her own individual style of play into one of such charisma that it draws major crowds, was simply conforming to cliched racial mantras." Most of what we hear from "public intellectuals" fits this description. Our universities has disgraced themselves producing such vacuous thinking.
Thank you for the excellent essay about the effects of our current leaders/elite efforts to justify the vilification of talent through racial means. Racism as I was taught is based on the hatred of another based exclusively on their skin color. Today‘s racism appears to me to be based on the assumption that status/privilege itself is justification for hatred/revenge. Vince Everett Ellison has often said, “I’m not a victim, I’m a free man” my freedom given to me by God not the Democratic party. We are in a class war with the elite/privileged goading the poor uneducated masses in our most populous big cities to blame their situation on someone or something other than their own corrupt/failed/deceptive leadership.
“you can ignore reality, but you can’t ignore the consequences of reality”. Western society is trapped in a delusional, self destructive downward spiral into a disaster for everyone regardless of race or class.
Well said -thanks!
Thank you. Precisely as you state - there’s no privilege on the court! Of on any competition playing field. It was very sad to see Ms Clark denigrating herself. It was even sadder to see how American society has caused her to need to feel this way. I thought sports was one of the last bastions where only talent counted?
"The words that Clark spoke were not her own words, but ideological constructs crafted by activists." This is the problem. You get canceled if you don't read the script. But a good leader will take the challenge and show people how to really deal with the bullies. I've been in many groups where we've been asked to bow and scrape before sanctimonious, power-playing dopes. I just refuse. People are shocked, but the world keeps turning! :)
Good that you do that.
What an absolutely fantastic article!! Thank you for writing this. I was gearing up to writing a piece on this but you’ve really done this great justice by having the context of the Netflix series in this. Bravo!!!
Thank you! 🙏
Excellent. Keep it coming.