Latest news with #whiteprivilege
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Footy and reality TV star Luke Bateman built up a huge TikTok following with Aussie women - then they turned on him over one video
One-time NRL star Luke Bateman is at the centre of a social media storm after posting a video announcing he has signed a book deal, with many of his former fans accusing him of benefiting from 'white male privilege'. Bateman, 30, has become an online sensation after revealing his interest in risqué romance and fantasy novels in a series of videos. The former Canberra Raiders lock - who also appeared on The Bachelor in 2023 - has amassed 175,000 TikTok followers at the time of writing. Earlier this week, Bateman took to social media to announce that he recently signed a two-book deal with Atria Books Australia. 'This is a childhood dream come true for me. I've wanted to be an author my whole life, so it really blows me away,' he said. However, the announcement has sparked fierce backlash and debate about equity in the publishing industry. 'A white man getting a book deal without having written anything? My jaw stayed right where it was,' replied one user, with the comment getting more than 5000 likes. 'This opportunity is the intersection of white privilege, male privilege, and pretty privilege. Not a reflection of worth,' posted another. 'Well good to see that publishing is still a colossal joke,' replied a third. TikTok users even posted their own video reactions to the news to express their outrage. 'A white man joined BookTok on April 22 and less than two months later achieved getting a two-book epic fantasy deal with Atrium books that he credits to his success on BookTok,' said @grapiedeltaco. 'We don't have very many details of what he's already written, but it seems like he didn't even have a manuscript. 'Like it seems like he had a concept, which is something that many established authors who have already been traditionally published can't even manage.' Bateman has addressed the flood of criticism, insisting he understands the anger that's been levelled at him. 'I wholeheartedly understand how angry and resentful these things would make people,' he said. 'I obviously have advantages that other people don't. How do I capitalise on those to help lift everyone up? Because I feel like dragging people down leaves everyone at the bottom, whereas a rising tide lifts all ships. 'And if I can use my platform and my voice and my privilege and position in society to help uplift others, I say, that is what books are about.' Bateman, who has lots of female admirers, is believed to be single following his split from Ellie Rolfe last year. The pair met on The Bachelor and connected - but eventually went their separate ways. 'Ellie and I would like to keep our relationship private,' Bateman said at the time. 'She has a soul that lights up every room she walks into and I will sorely miss it in my life.' On the footy field, Bateman chalked up 71 appearances for the Raiders between 2015 and 2019. A knee injury ended his career - and before his NRL debut, Bateman in 2014 publicly had to confirm he wasn't gay. It followed an on-field slur from current Parramatta Eels halfback Mitchell Moses, who was playing for NSW against the Maroons in an under-20s match. 'I'm not gay,' Bateman said. 'I've had plenty of people from the gay community write to me or contact me on Twitter giving messages of support.
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Omar won't say if she stands by previous 'more fearful of white men' comments in aftermath of DC shooting
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said the U.S. should be "more fearful of white men" amid threats of domestic terrorism, which are comments from 2018 that resurfaced in May and attracted scrutiny from Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance. Omar, who walked away from reporters on Thursday when asked about the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., the previous night, previously said the U.S. should be more concerned about white men. "I would say our country should be more fearful of white men across our country because they are actually causing most of the deaths within this country," Omar said in a 2018 interview with Al Jazeera. Omar's remarks came in response to questions about the threats of domestic terrorism and "jihadism" in the U.S. "And so, if fear was the driving force of policies to keep America safe, Americans safe inside of this country, we should be profiling, monitoring and creating policies to fight the radicalization of white men," Omar told Al Jazeera. A spokesperson for Omar did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital asking if Omar stood by her previous statements. The comments resurfaced in May after conservative influencer accounts, including Libs of TikTok, shared video footage of the interaction. Republicans, including Vance, condemned the statements. "This isn't just sick; it's actually genocidal language," Vance said in an X post May 5. "What a disgrace this person is." In response to Vance, Omar said in an X post that she was "referring to the rise of white nationalism in an annual report issued by the Anti-Defamation League that said white supremacists were responsible for 78 percent of 'extremist-related murders.'" "PS you should look up what 'genocidal' actually means when you're actively supporting a genocide taking place in Gaza," said Omar, who has been an outspoken advocate for the Palestinians in Gaza. On Wednesday evening, two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were leaving a museum event when they were gunned down and killed. A pro-Palestinian man identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago was arrested, according to authorities. Police said he chanted "Free, free Palestine" as he was arrested. Yaron, born in Israel, grew up in Germany. While his father is Jewish, his mother is a Christian and the family is considered Christian. Milgrim was an American employee working for the Israeli Embassy. Omar originally dodged reporters asking for her reaction to the shooting but later posted on X that she was "appalled" by the attack. "I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night," Omar said in a Thursday post on X. "Holding the victims, their families, and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Violence should have no place in our country."
Fox News
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
FLASHBACK: Democrat Rep Ilhan Omar said US should be ‘more fearful of white men' in 2018
Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said the U.S. should be "more fearful of white men" amid threats of domestic terrorism, which are comments from 2018 that resurfaced in May and attracted scrutiny from Republicans, including Vice President JD Vance. Omar, who walked away from reporters on Thursday when asked about the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy employees in Washington, D.C., the previous night, previously said the U.S. should be more concerned about white men. "I would say our country should be more fearful of white men across our country because they are actually causing most of the deaths within this country," Omar said in a 2018 interview with Al Jazeera. Omar's remarks came in response to questions about the threats of domestic terrorism and "jihadism" in the U.S. "And so, if fear was the driving force of policies to keep America safe, Americans safe inside of this country, we should be profiling, monitoring and creating policies to fight the radicalization of white men," Omar told Al Jazeera. A spokesperson for Omar did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital asking if Omar stood by her previous statements. The comments resurfaced in May after conservative influencer accounts, including Libs of TikTok, shared video footage of the interaction. Republicans, including Vance, condemned the statements. "This isn't just sick; it's actually genocidal language," Vance said in an X post May 5. "What a disgrace this person is." In response to Vance, Omar said in an X post that she was "referring to the rise of white nationalism in an annual report issued by the Anti-Defamation League that said white supremacists were responsible for 78 percent of 'extremist-related murders.'" "PS you should look up what 'genocidal' actually means when you're actively supporting a genocide taking place in Gaza," said Omar, who has been an outspoken advocate for the Palestinians in Gaza. On Wednesday evening, two Israeli Embassy staffers, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, were leaving a museum event when they were gunned down and killed. A pro-Palestinian man identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago was arrested, according to authorities. Police said he chanted "Free, free Palestine" as he was arrested. Yaron, born in Israel, grew up in Germany. While his father is Jewish, his mother is a Christian and the family is considered Christian. Milgrim was an American employee working for the Israeli Embassy. Omar originally dodged reporters asking for her reaction to the shooting but later posted on X that she was "appalled" by the attack. "I am appalled by the deadly shooting at the Capital Jewish Museum last night," Omar said in a Thursday post on X. "Holding the victims, their families, and loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Violence should have no place in our country."
Daily Mail
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Fans slam 'woke' Paige Bueckers for aligning with Caitlin Clark over WNBA's 'white privilege'
WNBA rookie Paige Bueckers has attracted the fury of fans after she claimed to have benefitted from 'white privilege' and complained about the lack of 'equal coverage' of black players in the league. Bueckers, 23, was taken by the Dallas Wings with the No. 1 overall pick in last month's WNBA draft after a stellar college career at UConn. She was criticized in 2021 for citing what she thought was a lack of coverage towards black women in sports at the ESPY Awards. Now she's readdressed that topic in her first few weeks as a pro in similar comments WNBA sensation Caitlin Clark made during her rookie year. 'It's still an issue, every single day,' Bueckers told TIME in an interview this week. 'There's not ever equal coverage. There's white privilege every single day that I see. Bueckers' comments are similar to ones WNBA star Caitlin Clark made during her rookie year 'I feel like I've worked extremely hard, blessed by God. But I do think there's more opportunities for me. I feel like even just marketability, people tend to favor white people, white males, white women. 'I think it should be equal opportunity. I feel like there is privilege to what I have, and to what all white people have. I recognize that. I want to counteract that with the way I go about my business.' One fan wrote: 'Wings' Paige Bueckers laments lack of "equal coverage" of Black women, talks "White privilege". Hasn't played a game yet & already she's playing the race game. 'These are supposed to be people little girls look up to instead they are mouth pieces for the woke'. Another commented: 'That's why WNBA is a joke.. Caitlin Clark sold out last year in the same fashion. Would never watch one of their games.' A third wrote: 'What is she going to do? Turn down all marketing opportunities?' One fan claimed Bueckers is fearful of receiving the same rough treatment that Clark enjoyed, writing: 'She is afraid of not being liked'. Another commented: 'Paige trying to have a nice smooth season with no problems. I can't knock the hustle'. Bueckers' comments echo similar statements by Clark last season, when her arrival in the WNBA inspired a spike in the league's viewership and attendance numbers. Clark found herself at the center of a race storm during her first season and was hit with accusations that she was the victim of jealousy and bullying. The Indiana Fever star first addressed the topic of race in the WNBA in December when she was named TIME Magazine's Athlete of the Year, acknowledging the 'white privilege' that fell her way as she entered the league and drove up the interest levels. She then doubled down on her comments during her interview with David Letterman. Clark said the WNBA has 'been built on' black players and that 'as a white person, there is privilege'. The comments sparked controversy online with the likes of OutKick founder Clay Travis and Dave Portnoy criticizing the Indiana Fever superstar. Jason Whitlock abandoned his support of Clark in a hysterical meltdown, claiming her comments left him in tears, while conservative activist Riley Gaines also weighed in on the debate.
