Brooklyn Nets' Jeremy Lin Calls for Racial Awareness, Says He Is Frequently Asked for Credentials When Entering the NBA Arena
Newly acquired Brooklyn Nets superstar Jeremy Lin flashed his disappointment over how Asians are stereotyped during social events, or even during his own game, and stressed that there is a definite need for racial awareness.
Lin confided that he is personally experiencing some of these "racial problems" even at his own turf in the NBA. Becoming a global phenomenon and earning a nickname don't stopped people from stereotyping Asians, according to Lin. Most notable among them are whenever he walks into the NBA arena and the security personnel asks him for credentials.
"I still get stopped when I try to go through arenas and I'm walking with my teammates, and obviously none of them are Asian but I'm the only one that gets stopped, and they ask for my credentials, but I really don't let it affect me . . . I'm so used to it now. It doesn't bother me." Lin added that the worst is whenever he is asked if he is really a member of the team because he is unsure if the security are simply joking or he is to take it as an insult.
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Lin averaged 11.7 points and 4.4 assists per game for the Charlotte Hornets last season and is notable for his fancy hairdos aside from his basketball prowess.
The best season for Lin was 2011-2012 while playing for the New York Knicks and became the first NBA player to score at least 20 points and seven assists in first five starts. There he earned the nickname "Linsanity" when fellow player Metta World Peace was caught in a camera shouting the phrase.
To recall, Lin also expressed disappointment during an onstage skit at the Oscars when the show's host, Chris Rock, introduced three Asian children dressed in tuxedos as accountants and joked, "They sent us their most dedicated, accurate and hard-working representatives. I want you to please welcome Ming Zhu, Bao Ling and David Moskowitz."
Lin's emotions escalated when Rock further added, "If anybody's upset about that joke, just tweet about it on your phone that was probably also made by these kids." He then posted in Twitter, saying, "Seriously though, when is this going to change?!? Tired of it being 'cool' and 'ok' to bash Asians smh #Oscars."
Lin is also keen on adding that his posts don't mean to bash Rock but only to make people understand that television shows such as the Oscars are very influential tools that play a huge role in shaping public perception.
