A recent on-court incident involving Chicago Sky player DiJonai Carrington has ignited a public debate, drawing criticism from former Fox News host Megyn Kelly regarding Carrington’s appearance, specifically her hair. The controversy began after Carrington was ejected from a WNBA game following a foul on Indiana Fever’s Sophie Cunningham. In the aftermath, Carrington posted on social media, “WHITE PRIVILEGE @indianafever.” This statement, interpreted by some as a reference to her being an African-American player ejected for fouling a white opponent, quickly became a focal point of discussion.
DiJonai Carrington’s Social Media Post and Background
DiJonai Carrington, who holds degrees in psychology and African and African-American studies, later clarified her stance on social media, stating, “I would never use that term as a rhetorical weapon knowing the historical and social weight it holds without having the proper evidence to substantiate it.” While her precise intention behind the “white privilege” comment remains open to interpretation, it prompted a strong reaction from Megyn Kelly.
Megyn Kelly’s Criticism of Carrington’s Appearance
During her show, Megyn Kelly presented images of Carrington, focusing on her hair. Kelly described it as “hair that’s whiter than mine, straighter than mine, super long,” and asserted that Carrington’s hair was “white girl hair.” Kelly contrasted this with her own perceived inability to wear certain hairstyles without being labeled a racist, questioning the perceived double standard. “She’s allowed to culturally appropriate from me, but I can’t culturally appropriate from her because it only works in one way to becoming a racist, which is b*******. How dare she play the white privilege card?” Kelly exclaimed.
Kelly’s critique extended beyond Carrington’s hair to other aspects of her appearance, including what she termed “filler face,” “super puffed out cheekbones,” “overly arched eyebrows,” “overly lined lips,” and a particular facial expression. Kelly also presented a photo of Carrington from her college days, suggesting she looked like a “normal, gorgeous gal” and that her current demeanor and appearance were a product of negative influences within the WNBA, which she described as a league that “corrupts you in a very sick and unhealthy way.”
Kelly Questions Carrington’s Claim of Privilege
Megyn Kelly further challenged Carrington’s use of the term “white privilege” by highlighting Carrington’s background. Kelly noted that Carrington’s father was an NFL player who participated in two Super Bowls, and her mother was a track athlete. Additionally, Kelly pointed to Carrington’s education at a private school costing thousands of dollars annually and her attendance at prestigious universities like Stanford and Baylor. Kelly contrasted this with her own upbringing, mentioning her father’s death when she was 15 and her own less privileged educational path. “Both of them earning, both of them with enormous privilege thanks to their God-given talents in the athletic field, one who was a double NFL Super Bowl player. How dare she play the white privilege card,” Kelly stated.
Context of the Chicago Sky and Carrington’s Season
The discussion occurs as the Chicago Sky are navigating a challenging season. The team is currently positioned 12th out of 15 teams in the league standings and fifth in the Eastern Conference, with a record of four wins and six losses in their last 10 matches, including a three-game losing streak. This contrasts with their successful period from 2019 to 2022, which culminated in a championship win in the 2021 WNBA Finals. Following a period of rebuilding after key players departed, the Sky signed Carrington. She missed the initial 27 games of the current season due to injury but made a notable return, scoring nine points in 17 minutes to help secure a victory against the Connecticut Sun.
Past Controversies and Ongoing Speculation
This is not the first time Megyn Kelly has been involved in discussions surrounding race and appearance. She was previously dismissed from NBC eight years prior for comments defending the use of blackface. Reports at the time indicated that her colleagues were “disgusted” by her remarks. As the exact intent behind DiJonai Carrington’s social media post remains unclear, the public speculation and debate surrounding the incident, particularly fueled by Kelly’s commentary, are likely to continue.
Conclusion
The exchange between DiJonai Carrington and Megyn Kelly highlights ongoing tensions and differing perspectives on race, privilege, and cultural expression within professional sports and public discourse. While Carrington’s initial post sparked debate, Kelly’s subsequent commentary focused heavily on Carrington’s appearance and background, raising questions about privilege and cultural appropriation. The situation underscores the complex and often contentious nature of these discussions in the public sphere.
