As students at the University of Iowa, we have had a front row seat to the explosive growth of women's basketball this year. Iowa is no longer just known for its hogs and corn. Caitlin Clark and the members of her Iowa State Women's Basketball team have helped put Iowa State and women's basketball on the map around the world.
in Daily Iowan, we've seen our page views and social media output reach new heights due to the outpouring of love from basketball fans across the country. At the same time, we are also witnessing the tremendous amount of vile and sexist hate that these athletes receive.
You might think one of the greatest college basketball players of all time would be exempt from the Victorian-era commentary that she “belongs in the kitchen.”
That would be a mistake.
Clark and other women's basketball players are constantly being ostracized on platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly known as Twitter). From their appearance to their status as women, these players are subject to different scrutiny than their male counterparts.
The public, or at least some of the most vocal people on social media, feel entitled to know everything about these athletes and their personal lives.A large number of magazines such as people Clark has published articles and posted on social media to reveal details about her boyfriend, former Iowa State basketball player Connor McCaffrey.
The narrative surrounding Clark should focus on her basketball passing and shooting abilities. Instead, countless people appeared demanding information about her personal life or spewing her hatred against her because she is a woman.
Inappropriate comments from strangers on the internet are another matter. It's different when it comes from members of the press.
On April 18, Clark attended the Indiana Fever's first press conference after being selected No. 1 in this year's WNBA Draft. During the conference, columnist Greg Doyle said: indianapolis starmaking his hands into a heart shape, just like Clark does with his parents during the game.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Doel began. “If you start doing that to me, we'll get along just fine,” he said of the heart gesture.
It was an incredibly awkward exchange, at best. At worst, it's a gross display of power from a veteran male media professional to a 22-year-old woman.
Doyle later apologized online, indianapolis star He explained his actions to Clark. He said: “He's famous locally for making awkward conversations with people before asking cheeky conversational questions and then sighing.”
And he explained that this “awkwardness” was previously appropriate because he only spoke to men.
While this excuse was ultimately lackluster and belied the complex meaning behind his comments, it certainly points to a broader trend that needs to be addressed. It means that female athletes are not respected for their talent and proficiency in their respective sports.
Over the past year, women's basketball has grown at an exponential rate. These athletes continue to prove that women's basketball is a sport to be reckoned with, with attendance records broken, viewership record after viewership record, and immense potential for growth in the WNBA. Masu.
Although the public reaction to Mr Doyle's comments was overwhelmingly in support of Mr Clarke, the case has deeper implications surrounding inappropriate media coverage.
Because Ms. Clark is prominent in the national realm, her experience is well-suited to highlight this issue. However, compared to other female athletes, Clark only experiences a fraction of the inappropriate behavior she experiences. For female athletes of color, these comments are even worse.
When Angel Reese and the rest of LSU's team faced Iowa in the 2023 championship game, the difference in Reese and Clark's commentary was evident. Clarke's energy and commentary “grew the game” while Rees was coined “classless”.
“I've been through a lot. I've seen a lot. I've been attacked a lot,” Reese said after LSU's loss to Iowa in the 2024 NCAA Elite Eight game. He spoke at a later press conference.
This example illustrates an overarching trend in all athletics. Athletes of color are generally treated worse than white athletes.
During last year's Final Four game, in which Iowa State defeated South Carolina in the NCAA Tournament, South Carolina coach Dawn Staley accused the national media of using unfair rhetoric to describe her team. He pointed out that there was.
“The truth about our team? That's a good question. We're not bar fighters. We're not thugs. We're not monkeys. We're not street fighters,” Staley said after the match. Told. “Don't judge us by the color of our skin. Judge us by how we approach the game.”
The unequal rhetoric between athletes of color and their white counterparts has been closely observed. English-language soccer commentators focus on the physical abilities of players with darker skin and emphasize the intelligence of players with lighter skin, according to a study by sports research firm RunRepeat in partnership with the Professional Football Players Association. It has been found. Media organizations and other commentators set the standard for how teams and players are perceived.
Fair and impartial coverage of all female athletes must be a top priority for journalistic organizations covering these sports. Women as a whole deserve better.