This week: This is part apology and part reality in that my time has been pulled towards fielding media about my book being banned. Block Club Chicago. Heidi Stevens. Politico Illinois. New City. And more to come soon.
This is why I am working to grow this newsletter - both audience and members - so I can focus more time on writing. Writing books and newsletters about feminism and what our world looks like when you view it through a feminist lens.
I truly would appreciate it if you can forward this to five friends or join as a member at $8 a month.
Thank you
— Veronica
The Chicago Sky snaps their losing streak!
The Chicago Sky went into Friday night’s game against the Sun with a 5 game losing streak. And they snapped it!
Fell behind fast: We ended the first half down 11-25 and I really thought it was going to be a long night. We’re been here before. We get behind and we let it pull us all the way down.
We kicked into high gear: Before we knew what was happening, the Sky went into halftime only down a bucket. Were we coming back?
Would the defense hold? For most of our losses, it was not a lack of scoring. And a grand Sky tradition is for things to fall apart in the 4th quarter.
But it didn’t!
We stood strong: After the first quarter the team played with a level of confidence I haven’t seen in awhile. The passes were crisp. Players, especially Cardoso, didn’t give up on their shots or cede space under the basket. The follow through signaled that the team was ready to defend home court.
Can we keep this up? This was a game we had to win. The Connecticut Sun are in last place. We can be happy and keep our perspective in line. That said, the level of confidence the team was playing with is contagious. Whatever happened after the first quarter needs to be noted and repeated. Was it coaching? Skylar being the leader? Whatever it was, let’s tap into that for the rest of the season.
Messy Hair Don’t Care?
Sport superstitions go hard.
A friend in Portland wore a certain outfit the first time the Fire won and now she’s committed to wearing it every time she goes to a game. And I have definitely told a friend that a piece of clothing was cursed many times over the years.
Based on the comments on the Sky’s Instagram account, many a fan have decided that Skylar’s hair is our thing. Dubbed, Crashout Diggins, Skylar is a menace on the court. But what does it mean when fans decide that a Black mom of two with messy hair is the key to victory?
Motherhood: Given Skylar’s glam looks we have seen, seeing her on the court in a messy bun/ponytail fighting for every inch of the court and point, I thought, “That must had been one heck of a mom day.” I have been there when a bun with a lot of barrettes or a hat.
Black hair: On top of perhaps a hectic mom day, we have the weight and politics of Black hair. WNBA fans are having a hard time with the racial politics of Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, can we really cheer on messy Black hair without falling into it?
Don’t get me wrong, the sense of Skylar’s messy hair being the key to victory didn’t start Friday night. But I am worried, given the politics around the W, that silly sports superstitions can lead us into a space most fans and especially the league are unwilling to discuss in a frank and serious manner.
Quick hits
We’re one week away from opening day for the Chicago Bandits!
By the time you read this, we’ll have lived through the Triple Espresso reunion!
A touching moment happened during media day when Sophia & Mal were asked about being away from the babies. Trinity laid across their laps and said, “I’ll be your baby!” Trin being the kid-free comedy relief was sweet to watch.
The final episode of “A Touch More with Megan and Sue” dropped and it’s so good.
It is a look back at the podcast, but I especially want to point to the 2:08 mark when through a series of clips we get to see how business really has been booming for women’s sports.
We can still keep up with Megan & Sue through podcasts. Sue has Bird’s Eye View and Megan teased a new podcast.
While this newsletter and the larger project of supporting women’s sports is my passion project, I still need to buy groceries and buy nachos at games.
An additional way to support this newsletter is to subscribe, share on socials, and forward to your friend who keeps inviting you to women’s sporting events.