Jeremy Lin Says He’s Been Called ‘Coronavirus’ On The Court By Racist Players

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Basketball star Jeremy Lin is speaking out against the sharp rise in Asian hate crimes throughout the country during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lin, who is currently playing in the G-League for the Santa Cruz Warriors, took to Instagram to talk about the racism he’s experienced as Asian-American throughout his career.

Something is changing in this generation of Asian Americans. We are tired of being told that we don’t experience racism, we are tired of being told to keep our heads down and not make trouble. We are tired of Asian American kids growing up and being asked where they’re REALLY from, of having our eyes mocked, of being objectified as exotic or being told we’re inherently unattractive. We are tired of the stereotypes in Hollywood affecting our psyche and limiting who we think we can be. We are tired of being invisible, of being mistaken for our colleague or told our struggles aren’t as real.

I want better for my elders who worked so hard and sacrificed so much to make a life for themselves here. I want better for my niece and nephew and future kids. I want better for the next generation of Asian American athletes than to have to work so hard to just be “deceptively athletic.”

In the Instagram post, Lin insinuates that he’s been called “coronavirus” as a form of trash talk on the court during games.

Being an Asian American doesn’t mean we don’t experience poverty and racism.
Being a 9 year NBA veteran doesn’t protect me from being called “coronavirus” on the court.
Being a man of faith doesn’t mean I don’t fight for justice, for myself and for others.

For the past year, Lin has fought back against people using the Coronavirus to be racist against Asians.