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Jonathan White

Compared to some of the violent incidents against Asians and Asian-Americans in the US in recent weeks, Jeremy Lin being called “coronavirus” on court could be seen as minor.
It’s not.
It’s the tip of a hatred that has seen an elderly Thai immigrant die after being pushed to the floor, a Filipino-American slashed in the face and a Chinese woman set on fire on the streets of the US.
Less violent incidents – such as being spat at and coughed on – and hate speech such as that directed at Lin as he revealed on social media have seen an increase in reporting too.


All of it has been driven by Covid-19 and the mistaken belief that Asian people have spread the pandemic.
This is not new. It has been happening for a year and the FBI warned it would happen, that they expected a rise of hate crimes against people of Asian heritage.
Covid-19 racism victims ‘close to my heart’, says Lin on winning return
Perhaps America is a more hateful place than before. It feels that way looking in. The previous president did not help that – he was very much of the “China virus” and “kung flu” rhetoric.
Joe Biden has banned that, at least within government, but politicians are asking for more to be done.
Democrats such as Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez have been vocal in calls for legislation and offering support on social media for the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.

We stand with our Asian American & Pacific Islander community against the rising tide of racism and hate crimes that have been stoked to a fever pitch, much of amplified by the actions of our last president.
It’s on all of us to speak up against bigotry & protect our neighbors. https://t.co/WmZFmHt17L
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 10, 2021

There have been others and big brands have followed them, including sports broadcasters DAZN Canada and ESPN plus sportswear giant Nike among them.
So what about the rest of the sporting world? Where are they on an issue that is making headlines in traditional media.
The sad truth is that there is not a large number of Asian or Asian-American athletes with huge presence in US sport.
Jeremy Lin won’t ‘name or shame’ player who called him ‘coronavirus’
People looking to young golfers like PGA champion Collin Morikawa and Brandon Wu will have been disappointed while the “Cablinasian” Tiger Woods has been a little busy in recent days.
Other Asian-American athletes have spoken up on the issue.
A year ago the NFL’s Taylor Rapp – whose mother is Chinese – and UCLA gymnast Katelyn Ohashi – who is of Japanese heritage – both joined Athletes for Impact, launching a digital campaign to highlight racist incidents towards Asians in the US.

Our hearts are with our Asian community. We stand united with our partners to create a more inclusive future.
Learn more: https://t.co/HDGa5BCi2M #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/He9UDp0pCY
— Nike (@Nike) February 19, 2021

Since the recent increase, New York Liberty’s Chinese centre Han Xu spoke up last month, with the Liberty among teams to post against the violence. Owner Joe Tsai – who also owns the Brooklyn Nets (and this newspaper) has been vocal on the issue for 12 months.
It still seems that Jeremy Lin, as ever, has had to run offence on the issue – fitting media appearances in between practice and matches for the Santa Cruz Warriors as he attempts an NBA comeback.
Lin has had public support in the form of Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr and former Olympic diving star Greg Louganis, who tweeted that “Collectively, we must listen. And learn. Jeremy Lin is a hero for speaking truth”.
LeBron James hits back at Ibrahimovic, Jeremy Lin backs NBA star
“One in four Asian-Americans have experienced some type of hate since the pandemic started,” Lin said, in the same week he revealed he was the one in four. His claim is being investigated by the NBA G League, though Lin said he won’t name them.
“It’s not about trying to take somebody down. … It’s about building awareness and it’s about promoting solidarity.”
It really should not take athletes with Asian heritage to be speaking up or taking a stand. UCLA women’s basketball coach showed her support, tweeting: “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere” but there have been few voices.

As a part of our ongoing commitment to promote racial equality and social justice, we stand with the Asian community against any acts of hate and racism. To learn more, visit https://t.co/OBgYvw5lEh #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/qiYis1wYJc
— NBA (@NBA) February 23, 2021

In the absence of those at least the league have spoken up.
The NHL, MLB and NBA all shared posts standing with the AAPI community. Though users were quick to jump on the NBA for its collective treatment of Lin over the years.
Looking past that, the NBA has taken the lead in its support of Black Lives Matter and other social justice causes – and rightly so. Why not extend that to another community?
This a free hit for all sport with any kind of platform.
Kerr backs investigation into Jeremy Lin ‘coronavirus’ slur
In a week where NBA players – including Lin – have rallied round LeBron James in the face of criticism from footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic over being political, they can take their lead from James and not stick to sports. Instead they can stick up for a community in the face of violence and hatred.
As ever, social media has seen the whataboutery that only serves to divide, but this issue is not about China, Hong Kong or human rights, it is simply about human wrongs.
If sport should be expected to get behind any message it’s that the only colour that matters is the one on the jersey. It’s time to speak up and stop the virus of hate.

“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” #EveryoneVsRacism pic.twitter.com/seiM1t8xbk
— Tasha Brown (@CoachTasha) February 25, 2021



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NBA (National Basketball Association)

Jeremy Lin leading fight against virus of hate toward Asian-Americans, but where is sport?

Former NBA player Jeremy Lin of the US has spoken out about anti-Asian racism in the US. Photo: AFP

Jeremy Lin won’t ‘name or shame’ player who called him ‘coronavirus’ as G League investigate

Jeremy Lin in action for the Beijing Ducks in the 2019-20 Chinese Basketball Association. Photo: Xinhua

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JUNE 13: Jeremy Lin #17 of the Toronto Raptors celebrates his teams win over the Golden State Warriors in Game Six to win the 2019 NBA Finals at ORACLE Arena on June 13, 2019 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Ezra Shaw/Getty Images/AFP == FOR NEWSPAPERS, INTERNET, TELCOS & TELEVISION USE ONLY ==

LeBron James hits back at Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jeremy Lin backs NBA star for activism

LeBron James, of the Los Angeles Lakers, warms up before the game against the Portland Trail Blazers. James responded to comments from Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic after the game. Photo: AFP

A screenshot from Jeremy Lin's Instagram account where he responds to Zlatan Ibrahimovic's criticism of LeBron James. Photo: Instagram/@jlin7

Covid-19 racism victims ‘close to my heart’, says Jeremy Lin on G League return

Jeremy Lin in action for the Beijing Ducks in the 2019-2020 Chinese Basketball Association. Photo: Xinhua

Steve Kerr on Jeremy Lin ‘coronavirus’ slur, backs NBA G League investigation

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr questions a call during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the San Antonio Spurs. Photo: AP

Jeremy Lin sits out G League, stands up for Asian-American community in face of Covid-19 racism

Jeremy Lin talks to Chinese media during a press conference for the Beijing Ducks in August 2020. Photo: Xinhua

Sport

Basketball

As seems to often be the case, Lin blazes a lone furrow in speaking out against Asian-targeted racism
All sporting bodies with a platform should be taking a stand


As seems to often be the case, Lin blazes a lone furrow in speaking out against Asian-targeted racism. Why aren’t all bodies with a platform taking a stand?


Jeremy Lin

Coronavirus US

Racism and other prejudice

Asian-Americans

Expresses the views, ideas and conclusions of the author. (Eg. Enough of Crazy Rich Asians, think of crazy poor Hongkongers.)


Opinion

.css-1mniedq{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;}As seems to often be the case, Lin blazes a lone furrow in speaking out against Asian-targeted racism All sporting bodies with a platform should be taking a stand

As seems to often be the case, Lin blazes a lone furrow in speaking out against Asian-targeted racism

All sporting bodies with a platform should be taking a stand