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The league, which has historically been outspoken on social justice issues, has become quieter since Clark's arrival, as its political voice is now targeted by a DOJ that believes it must protect a white woman from her Black peers.
Clark is being used by various factions: those who weaponize her whiteness, misogynists who denigrate women's sports, classists who see her as a gentrifier of the league's queer culture, and now a government that views her as a valuable asset.
The situation echoes that of Larry Bird, who in the 1980s was similarly cast as a "Great White Hope" in a predominantly Black sport.
Bird rejected that narrative and focused on basketball, earning respect across racial lines.
Clark faces a more invasive culture today, where silence is often interpreted as agreement.
Denouncing the government could earn her the respect of her peers but risk alienating her fan base and the administration.
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The greatest risk she faces is the loss of her political privacy, as a blundering government either misjudges her interests or willingly sacrifices her to further divide the country.
