Photo by The Daily Sports Herald via Flickr Creative Commons
Jeremy Lin is calling for unity between minorities amidst the rise anti-Asian hate, NBC Sports reports.
Lin was a guest on Tuesday’s episode of “Race in America: A Candid Conversation,” a NBC Sports show.
“I feel bad for somebody who harbors hate for somebody else, who they’ve never met, just based on skin color,” Lin said in his interview. “That makes me want to do something. It makes me want to educate people or speak out and find ways to make a difference.
Lin said he believed it was important for minorities to fight for each other.
“I’ve always said that in the long run, it can’t only be Asians caring about Asian issues, or African Americans caring about African American issues,” Lin says. “If, as minorities, we want the majority to understand what it’s like to live a minority experience, and to sympathize and change, we as minorities also have to collaborate, unify and use our voices and stand up for each other. There has to be solidarity on that front.”
Lin added that if Asian Americans are asking for support from other minorities, they should provide their support to other minority causes as well.
“It would be hypocritical of me to say I’m anti-racism if I only stand up for people who look like me,” Lin said.
Lin said that playing in the NBA gave him a better understanding of the struggles other minority groups have endured.
“I have spent more Thanksgivings at teammates’ houses than in my own house since 2006,” Lin said. “That’s what I love about basketball, is that it has totally broadened my perspective and my understanding, while at the same time I can invite people into what we’re doing. Even last week, with Chinese New Year and things like that.
Lin has also been outspoken about President Trump’s role in the rise of anti-Asian discrimination and hate, The Mercury News reports. He tweeted his objection to Republican leaders labelling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus.”
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