Where in the World is Brittney Griner?

Readers are no doubt aware of the popular PBS program, Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. Viewers were taken on junkets around the world to find the elusive character. The situation of detained basketball player Brittney Griner mirrors that of Carmen Sandiego with notable differences. While we’ know generally where Griner is, she seems lost and neglected. Almost a nonentity, she has received neither the attention or care normally accorded a high-profile athlete or a celebrity personality. Her story has failed to arouse either public opinion or outrage. Griner is literally lost as a significant factor in our minds and most importantly in our consciences.

Where in the world is Brittney Griner? I would answer that question by saying she’s on the back burner. Largely forgotten, marginalized possibly because of her sexual identity and the fact that she is a Black woman. She is an athlete in a professional sport where male basketball players make an average of 1 million dollars and female NBA players make less than $200,000 in any given year.

Why has the Griner case garnered so little news coverage? Her treatment and marginalization say more about us then her. It reveals that even in a supposedly progressive moment for Black woman, some Black women matter less than others. Grinder’s treatment as an LGBTQ2+ woman speaks volumes. Detained in Russia since early February, we only recently became aware of her situation. At no time has she been given the concern or attention usually accorded to Americans detained in foreign countries.

Despite being a high-profile athlete, Griner’s fate is shrouded in mystery. Female athletes are woefully underpaid in comparison to their male counterparts. The pay discrepancies, lack of opportunities as well as limited access to endorsement deals are shameful. They necessitate that female athletes play in Europe during the off season to address these differentials. This situation is directly linked to Griner’s detention.

Had it not been for Griner’s wife Cherelle and Congressperson Colin Allred than it is likely Griner’s case would have been buried beneath the radar. The recent announcement that she has received a visit from a consular agent is encouraging. She was found in good health and in good condition. Her detention has been extended to May 19th.

It goes without saying, we must transcend our prejudices, our disregard for the plight of female athletes and wanton disregard for the plight of this Black woman. Recently some WNBA players such as Lisa Lesile

have admitted that they were instructed not to publicize Griner’s case. The fear was she could be used as a political pawn, That explanation seems threadbare. Russia massed troops at the Ukrainian border beginning in the month of February. Griner was arrested in early February but the physical assault on Ukraine did not occur until the end of February. Why no news or efforts were made to address Griner’s situation before the conflict became hot is baffling.

We must accord Brittney Griner the same importance and respect given to any other American political prisoner. Brittney Griner matters. Her Black life must be preserved and protected. She deserves the same care and attention as others have received. So to answer the question, Where in the World is Brittaney Griner? She has been relegated to the margins of our concerns and compassion. Although found safe and in good health, we need to recognize our neglect and lack of attention to her situation is completely unhealthy and hypocritical in light of the myriad contributions Black women have made in all fields of human endeavor. Rather than treating this case as if Griner is out of sight and out of mind, we need to make the plight of Black women our paramount concern.