For a lot of us, Jeremy Lin seems to have came out of the ashes and dust. Not only is the Ivy-leaguer certainly a pleasant surprise, but he also carries an overall feel-good story attached to his resume.
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In a recent round-table discussion at ESPN, radio sports commentators gathered to explore the phenomenon that is Jeremy Lin and highlighted considerable factors that make Lin the overnight sensation he has turned out to be.
From being a Harvard graduate to going undrafted to playing Point Guard in the Big Apple, commentators delved into the matter of which might come off as somewhat controversial to some. Should we attribute Lin’s hoopla to him being Asian… is race a factor?
The rundown:
Jeremy Shu-How Lin of Taiwanese decent exited out of high school with no athletic scholarships lined up for him. He graduated from Harvard University, one of the most prestigious Ivy League schools and the oldest higher ed institute in the nation today. Not to mention, he is a Point Guard for the New York Knicks.
In the previously mentioned qualities, Lin has broken several barriers and serves for a surprising under-dog story.
With basketball players, people often times like to latch on to an array of stereotypes, including that b ball players are not always educated. Then there’s the notorious catch phrase of “White men can’t jump.” Obviously, Lin isn’t White. But he’s not Black either, which is why the phrase was created, for particular implications.
Which brings us back to the topic of discussion. Is the fact that Lin is Asian solely responsible for the uproar he’s causing?
Some of us say no, that it should not be a race issue. Simply, he is a good basketball player and the fact that he’s an underdog alone suffices to praise him in his burgeoning success. While others disagree and feel race always plays a factor. And indeed… maybe so.
As Americans, it’s hard to separate race from a lot of things. We are so preconditioned to include race in everything we do. More than often, it’s in a negative connotation. When something as positive as Lin’s story comes along, maybe we shouldn’t move too quickly to disregard his culture.
The fact is, while we ALL, despite race, color or creed, appreciate a good underdog story. At the end of the day some little boy (or girl) of Asian background is going to be shooting hoops and acknowledge Lin as someone who made it. He might not be the only one mentioned, but he’ll more than likely be the one he or she relates to best.
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‘Cause isn’t that what all this boils down to? Relation? The feeling that one can relate to someone who looks like them or acts like them or is from the same place as them. Isn’t that why some of us look up to Oprah? Or to Sonia Sotomayor? Or Alex Rodriguez?
That he graduated from Harvard undrafted and was later, down the line, initially competing only for a backup spot that would land him a 12th-15th position in the Knicks are the obvious reasons to admire the kid? Of course! But in an attempt to cancel race out all together and act like it doesn’t play the least bit of a factor, seems a little naive. Or maybe not…
What do you think?
