The Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) marks its 25th anniversary season, celebrating incredible female athletes and their accomplishments on the court. With a rich history beginning before many current players were born, the WNBA has evolved significantly over time. From Ann Meyers’ NBA tryout to Cheryl Miller’s legendary performance, women’s basketball has come a long way.

In its 25-year journey, the WNBA has seen the rise of marquee players like Leslie, Lobo, and Swoopes, and experienced a shift in attitude towards LGBTQ+ acceptance. The league has progressed from a “don’t ask, don’t tell” approach to promoting LGBTQ+ awareness and pride. The WNBA’s dedication to addressing social injustices and embracing diversity has set it apart from other major sports.

As the WNBA celebrates 25 years, we also recognize that about 50% of its athletes are openly LGBTQ+. The 2021 WNBA All-Star game was even dubbed the “gayest” professional basketball game ever. This prompts the question of whether male athletes will ever enjoy the same level of freedom in expressing their sexuality.

Society’s acceptance of LGBTQ+ female athletes seems to outpace that of their male counterparts. Only a few male athletes in major sports have come out as gay or bisexual during their careers, such as Carl Nassib in the NFL and Jason Collins in the NBA. This disparity raises questions about the role of male ego, societal expectations, and the perception of dominance in these differences.

The lesbian community’s unique dynamics, such as the formation of cliques and the complexity of relationships, also impact the WNBA. Locker room romances and potential breakups could have long-term implications on team dynamics, professionalism, and the league’s overall success. The WNBA may need to address these challenges in the future to maintain a thriving and inclusive environment.

Additionally, the league must navigate the evolving conversation around gender identity in sports. Layshia Clarendon, a non-binary transgender WNBA athlete, exemplifies this shift. As more transgender athletes emerge, questions arise about fairness in competition, potential separate leagues, and the role of hormone treatments in performance. The future of the WNBA and professional sports will undoubtedly feature fascinating discussions on these topics.

As the WNBA celebrates its 25th anniversary season, we honor the incredible women who have made the league what it is today. The journey has been marked by groundbreaking achievements, a commitment to social justice, and an embrace of diversity. The future holds much promise for the WNBA as it continues to evolve and grow.

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While I too would love to see Richardson “crush” the competition,  I can’t help but be frustrated by the confusing comments.  The bible might refer to this as “double minded”.  We can’t decide what we want or what is right or wrong.  Ah, ha…finally!  This is why the world is in so much turmoil?!  Sorry, I digressed.

On one hand I am reflecting on general comments often made about 20 somethings or just younger generations in general.   We have many preconceived notions about each generation but when it comes to Millennials (25-40 yr olds) and Z’s (younger than 24) they have been labeled as the most irresponsible.  It is said that “they lack drive and the old school values’ ‘.   So here is my confusion.  Sha’Carri Richardson did exactly the opposite of what we say young people do.  She didn’t make up an excuse.  She did recite the difficulties and complexities of her life and how those things impacted her decision.  Plain and simple…Life circumstances SUCK sometimes and we have to find a way to cope!   Sha’Carri told the media that she was under a lot of pressure, and she needed to relax after finding out her biological mother passed away.   It could not have been more simple.  By the way, she didn’t owe that to anyone except herself (IJS).  She was sincerely disappointed in herself, and took the weight of her misjudgments very seriously. It was straightforward.  Finally, we have a Z’er to show us the level of response and maturity we want them to display.   She understands that as an elite athlete, she should not be indulging in the use of marijuana, but she is human–not superhuman.  We should be applauding her for her honesty and holding her up as an example to others her age (and some older).

So, I ask the question, why are some of us having a problem with this straightforward situation?  Why do we need to add drama?   Somebody please explain how this morphed into a racial issue?   Why do we ask them to be responsive and responsible but then make up reasons to erode the effort?   Richardson and Michael Phelps, really?  The two situations are completely different.    A picture of Michael Phelps, arguably the best Olympic swimmer of all time, indulging in the use of marijuana from a bong surfaced after he had already participated in the Olympics.  He admitted that the picture was prior to the Olympics, but it was not released to the media until the Olympics were over.  Phelps endured a 3-month suspension and went back to training.   Richardson was smoking during the Olympic trials (DUH!) and was given a 30-day suspension. She was supposed to have 3 months but agreed to take a drug course to reduce the time.  Her suspension runs directly into the Olympic genesis.  Yes, Phelps happens to be white, and yes Richardson happens to be black, but there is no need to reach for the race card.  This is how we errode issues that are really about race.  This is a human issue, an emotional help issue, life issue or perhaps a lack of community support issue.

Sha’Carri is a young lady and a high-performance athlete. We need to remind ourselves that she is still a kid, someone’s child, a sibling, a family member, a friend. She is still trying to find her way in this unforgiving world and like any young person her age, the load of life is heavy.  She is still in the trial-and-error phase.  The spotlight she stands in only makes her plate heavier to carry.  21 is the age of the child/adult conflict–where the law says you’re an adult but behavior is often contrary.  There is a real struggle for some to transition and release childhood or childlike tendencies.   Sha’Carri Richardson should be a reminder to check on our young people.  A smile on their faces could easily be a façade.

Sha’Carri has accepted the fact that she won’t be able to participate in the 2021 Tokyo games.   She said,“this is the last time I will be missing the Olympics.”   I say applaud her. She made no excuses, she wasn’t double minded or confused about her infraction.  She bravely looked the world in the eye, stood tall and owned her mistake.  That is the sign of a true champion and maturity.   Keep your eyes on Sha’Carri Richardson because she is coming back stronger and more determined. This is one small setback leading to the setup of a future Olympic legacy.

If you or anyone you know is in need of grief or drug counseling, please call the 24/7, 365 days a year, National helpline at 1-800-662-HELP.

Photo credit: NBC News

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