We know what happens when people stay silent while others steamroll ahead with an agenda. The agenda wins. And those who avoid getting flattened shake their head in disbelief, asking how could this happen?
Enes Kanter FREEDOM decided it was time to make some noise. And perhaps not coincidentally, the steamroller and its agenda has coughed, sputtered and stalled – at least for now – following WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert’s announced resignation Friday.
The issue? The WNBA’s bylaws state: only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.
Problem is, these days when it comes to pregnancies, bathrooms, and sports, asserting “only women are eligible” without defining ‘what is a woman’ creates ambiguity. But every time WNBA leadership was pressed, they ducked the trans question…and the steamroller plodded on.
Until Kanter FREEDOM intervened. Kanter created a media frenzy last month when he showed up at a WNBA game wearing a shirt that gave the definition of a woman.
Chicago’s Natalie Cloud rushed Kanter from the court and directed a profanity-laced tirade at him. Apparently she did not agree with his tee-shirt.
Kanter FREEDOM, who earlier had announced his intent to identify as a woman and enter next year’s WNBA draft, was escorted out of the arena.
Many (on both sides) criticized Kanter FREEDOM for making this all about him. Others condemned him for unnecessarily stirring things up.
Yet Kanter refused to be silenced. This week he took to social media and offered to have a peaceful sitdown with Engelbert on the topic. A conversation where both sides debated openly in public.
The WNBA did not respond to Kanter FREEDOM’s offer. Engelbert instead announced that neither he nor Royce White would be eligible for the upcoming WNBA draft (White also indicated he had identified as a woman and was declaring for the WNBA draft).
Kanter then posted on social media a copy of the lawsuit he had filed in federal court.
A day later Engelbert resigned.
I applaud Kanter. He’s forcing a conversation that needs to happen. He’s calling out the absurdity for all to see. Apparently Engelbert wasn’t up for the debate.
Keep in mind, what Enes Kanter is doing takes courage. He’s opening himself up to personal attacks: verbal, physical and (as we’ve unfortunately seen) potentially lethal.
Biological men competing in women’s sports is not just theoretical. According to Reem Alasalem, UN Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, male-born transgender athletes have already cost women and girls thousands of sporting opportunities – from lost medals and roster spots to forfeited games and more.
Kanter won’t let the WNBA ignore the issue. Nor should he. It deserves serious debate. And Kanter’s not sitting quietly on the sidelines while the steamroller plods on. Bring on the next commish!
