Jeremy Lin opens up about racism against Asian-Americans

Jeremy Lin took to Facebook to open up against racism in America.

Amidst a wave of anti-Asian and anti-Asian-American attacks against community elders in the United States, NBA guard Jeremy Lin has spoken up about the ugly bigotry he’s seen lately — and throughout his life.

Taking to Facebook, Lin — the first American of Taiwanese or Chinese descent to play in the NBA — used his platform to spread an important message about the prejudices and dangers currently facing Asian-Americans:

“Something is changing in this generation of Asian Americans. We are tired of being told that we don’t experience racism, we are tired of being told to keep our heads down and not make trouble. We are tired of Asian American kids growing up and being asked where they’re REALLY from, of having our eyes mocked, of being objectified as exotic or being told we’re inherently unattractive. We are tired of the stereotypes in Hollywood affecting our psyche and limiting who we think we can be. We are tired of being invisible, of being mistaken for our colleague or told our struggles aren’t as real.

“I want better for my elders who worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make a life for themselves here. I want better for my niece and nephew and future kids. I want better for the next generation of Asian American athletes than to have to work so hard to just be ‘deceptively athletic.’

“Being an Asian American doesn’t mean we don’t experience poverty and racism.

“Being a 9 year NBA veteran doesn’t protect me from being called ‘coronavirus’ on the court.

“Being a man of faith doesn’t mean I don’t fight for justice, for myself and for others.

“So here we are again, sharing how we feel. Is anyone listening?”

For those who are somehow still unaware, attacks against Asian-Americans have increased dramatically since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, even against elders in the community. It’s a sickening and disturbing trend that needs to be eradicated, and raising awareness about it is the first step.

It’s incredibly disheartening to hear Lin say he’s been called “coronavirus” on the court, because not even being a nine-year NBA veteran can protect him from this kind of heartless, foul-minded talk that needs to be stomped out. Hopefully more people will educate themselves about this issue thanks to Lin’s message.

Lin, 32, currently plays for the Golden State Warriors‘ G League affiliate, the Santa Cruz Warriors.