Jeremy Lin: Continuing to Walk the Walk

Time, February 27, 2012

Nine years have passed since Jeremy Lin became an international sensation for the New York Knicks. His star turn lasted less than two months, but even today followers of the NBA remember that one brief shining moment when an undrafted Harvard graduate not only made an NBA roster but was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated for two weeks in a row.

After the Knicks he became a journeyman NBA player, then went to the Beijing Ducks for a year. He's now playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors in the "G League" (the NBA's version of baseball's minor leagues).

Jeremy Lin has largely been quiet about the racist insults he's experienced throughout his college and professional career but last week spoke against physical assaults on Asian-Americans.

Lin, who’s playing for Santa Cruz at the G League bubble near Orlando in hopes of resuscitating his NBA career, took to Instagram on Thursday in response to a recent surge in violence against Asian Americans. In the post, he offered examples of racism that he has personally experienced.

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

The G League is investigating who might have said "coronavirus" to Jeremy Lin, but he said he is “not naming or shaming anyone.”

Your humble blogger, who has sometimes been on the receiving end of such remarks, firmly believes that the world is a better place because over 90% (just a wild guess) of those insulted let the comments slide. The Internet now gives us the ability to ruin a career and personal life because of spoken indiscretions. Outing these speakers--there's no question they're in the wrong--is a weapon to be wielded with care.

Jeremy Lin continues to follow his faith's principle of turning the other cheek, a rare example in a world where publicizing the sins of others is lauded and rewarded.