Jeremy Lin Reveals a Hard Truth About Asian Men in America

July 11, 2017

In an interview in Mandarin Chinese with ESPN reporter Coral Lu, Jeremy Lin reflected on how people of Asian descent are “underestimated” in the U.S.

“In the U.S., a lot of (people) — doesn’t matter if it’s basketball players or people in other professions — they look at Chinese people or Asians and they surely will underestimate us. So I think if we can have more Asian basketball players it will help our masculinity a lot,” the Brooklyn Nets guard said on Sunday, according to TMZ.

Lin’s remarks were in response to a question about NBA Summer League players Zhou Qi (Houston Rockets) and Ding Yanyuhang (Dallas Mavericks), who are both from mainland China.

“I’m very happy and hope they can perform well,” Lin said. “I think we just need to keep being ourselves and I think that the world will come around and appreciate us Asians.”

Sunday’s interview is not the first time the 28-year-old athlete has spoken about the underappreciation of Asian-American masculinity.

In an interview back in April, Lin talked about the stereotypes Asian-American men face in sports and dating, but is hopeful for a positive change.

When he signed with the Nets last July, Lin explained how he would speak on stopping the negativity towards several races and cultures.

“I am not just saying Asians. If you look at what is going on in the world and a lot of the violence that is going in the world in terms of the justice system and all these different things — that is real life,” Lin told the Mercury News.

“That is so much bigger than basketball. I have a voice because of basketball, to be able to talk and influence and do things that are related to things that are affecting people’s lives and things every day. That is a very unique situation.”

Feature Image via Instagram / Jeremy Lin

Share this Article