Caitlin Clark’s former Indiana Fever teammate Temi Fagbenle opened up about the hot topic surrounding Clark’s “white privilege” statement, which received a lot of backlash from analysts and commentators alike. The former Indiana Fever forward came to the defense of Clark, through her series of posts on X.
In her thread on the social media platform, Fagbenle discussed the hot topic of Calrk’s statement acknowledging the role of privilege in her success, and her intent to use her platform to “elevate black women” in the NBA.
“Let me make this clear,” Fagbenle said in her post. “[Caitlin Clark] can speak about having white privilege without hating herself. [She] can acknowledge THE REALITY of race disparities without pandering to any group. [She] can celebrate the GIANTS who have come before her, without diminishing her own HISTORIC accomplishments.”
Let me make this clear. CC can speak about having white privilege without hating herself. CC can acknowledge THE REALITY of race disparities without pandering to any group. CC can celebrate the GIANTS who have come before her, without diminishing her own HISTORIC accomplishments.
— Temitope Fagbenle (@TemiFagbenle) December 15, 2024
She then went on to talk about how issues of race are being twisted by “a select group.”
“I think most people know this—it’s just a select group trying to twist things,” she went on. “The US’s race issue is so ingrained that I believe a majority of them don’t even think they are twisting anything. The immediate response to anyone talking about how race affects anything is denial.”
Temi Fagbenle on Caitlin Clark’s Comments: “This is a Great Opportunity”
Amidst the backlash that Caitlin Clark’s statements have been getting since she was hailed as TIME Magazine’s 2024 Athlete of The Year, Temi Fagbenle sees this as an opportunity for a healthy discussion rather than a time to throw stones at each other.
“This is a great opportunity [for] some respectful conversations about race in the US,” she continued. “However, the convos will only be beneficial if there are no racists or prejudiced people involved. We must [first] converse to understand, not to be right. [The] next step is working together [to] make a change.”
Temi also highlighted how the discourse of race has been a problem for a long time, and that the solution, though achievable, is challenging.
“It’s been hundreds of years of this b******t,” Temi said. “Ain’t no quick fix. But if the majority of people band together working towards the same goals, the racist [and] prejudiced stragglers will be left behind and forced to adapt.”
“Just like in team sports,” she finished.
Caitlin Clark had been teammates with Temi Fagbenle when they both played for the Indiana Fever. Fagbenele went on to get drafted by the Golden State Valkyries, the new extension team of the WNBA.
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