Arrr! LSU's Van Lith be defendin' her shipmates, blastin' LA Times scallywags fer their 'racist' jabs at 'dirty debutantes'!
2024-03-31
Arrr mateys! LSU lass Hailey Van Lith be standin' tall, defendin' her mates in the Lady Tigers crew against them scurvy words from the Los Angeles Times! Them scallywags be callin' our crew "dirty debutantes," but we be showin' 'em true grit on the court! Arrr!
Hailey Van Lith, a guard for the LSU Tigers women's basketball team, defended her teammates after a Los Angeles Times column labeled them as "dirty debutantes," calling the perception racist. The column was published before the Tigers faced UCLA in the Sweet 16 matchup. Van Lith, a White player, expressed regret at reading the column, emphasizing the impact it can have on morale.She highlighted the bias and racism faced by her Black teammates, noting the unfair treatment they receive. The language used in the column was deemed inappropriate and was later removed by the L.A. Times. Van Lith emphasized the need to support her teammates and stand up against such discriminatory language.She shared her perspective as a minority player on a team with predominantly Black members, acknowledging the double standards and criticism they face. Head coach Kim Mulkey also condemned the column as sexist and wrong, defending her players against unfair attacks.Angel Reese, a star player for LSU, echoed the sentiments of her coach and teammate, emphasizing the unity and support within the team. Despite external criticism, the players remain focused on their goal of advancing women's basketball.Overall, the LSU Tigers have shown resilience and solidarity in the face of discrimination, standing up for each other and their sport.