The Associated Press recently quoted a TCU faculty member in its story about the abundant
attention given to both the WNBA and star Caitlin Clark. In addition to increased
exposure for the sport, the attention on the No. 1 draft pick from University of Iowa
has led to numerous conversations about race and other debates.
Frederick Gooding, Jr., Dr. Ronald E. Moore Honors Professor of Humanities and associate professor of African American studies, weighed in on the familiarity of minorities playing supporting roles while a white woman is placed front and center.
“It’s not so much about the visibility of Clark,” he said. “It also speaks to the invisibility of Black females and how difficult it is for Black females to obtain that same type” of attention.