Caitlin Hostility: Why?

I had been puzzled about why Caitlin Clark's fellow players in the WNBA seem so hostile to her.  Well, just from what little I knew of human nature, I had to expect a little resentfulness from them; after all, most of these women had been playing their heads off (and their arms, and their legs) for a year or more, and this kid expects to waltz right in, and get all the glory?  Who does she think she is??

Actually, that should explain all of it; but there are a few more bits of chemistry that have a bearing. 

First off, over the years, you may have noticed that the girls who dominate women's sports—even team sports—are lesbians.  Most lesbians are fairly friendly to girls; whether they're comfortable among straight girls is really a matter of the individual women concerned.  Especially if a girl is attractive to both straight and gay girls, we can expect relations to be strained.

Caitlin, both because of what a good player she is, and has been, and because of how cute she is (which I picked up on very early) is also attractive to guys; in fact it looks like she has an army of guy fans.  This doesn't sit well with Caitlin's queer spectrum fans.  Now, Caitlin has a boyfriend, but as we all know, there's no need to be upset right away; people are works in progress, and the main thing is—and this is a general statement—if anyone loves a woman, they should love them without wanting to own them.  A tough order, easy to say, but ...

Meanwhile, another factor raises its ugly head, namely that women's basketball watchers are delighted to discover a white champion.  Fans of the sport may protest that they don't take note of the ethnicity or race of a player; that what matters is how good they are (at playing the sport).  I think it's good to be that way, but in this day and age, it's almost impossible to be color-blind. 

Caitlin is also being paid a lot to play basketball, not to mention that the whole WNBA is making a lot more money since Caitlin joined the WNBA, which is hard on the other players. 

A lot of these feelings could—and probably would—change as time goes on, and CC's character sort of crystallizes, and fans stop romanticizing Caitlin to the present extent, if that's even possible. 

But I have an insane faith in Caitlin's ability to hang in there :)  I only learned about her a few months ago, but she had impressed me in how well-adjusted she is; she seems to have a fantastic head on her shoulders.  Her only weakness seems to be that she's a bit impatient with her youngest fans; but she's smart enough to absorb the benefits of experience.  I was pretty rough around the edges until I had taught for a year or two. 

If good wishes alone were enough to keep a girl strong, Caitlin would be fine.  There has seldom been a girl for whom so many wished only the best!  We love you, Caitlin Clark!

Kay