In class Thursday, we talked about the different stereotypes
that Asian Americans receive from fans for example players like Jeremy Lin and
Yao Ming. People, assume that Asian Americans are weak, slow, nerdy, are only
good at math and are out of place. Asian basketball players have been fighting stereotypes
throughout their basketball careers. They have to overcome not only their opponents
on their respective playing fields, but also the perception that Asians
Americans are not real athletes or that they really are not American athletes. Asian
Americans have done well in America in many areas, but not so much in
basketball, but ever since Jeremy Lin entered in to the world of basketball,
that all has changed. Lin has a new and different appeal to him. Lin is one of
the rarest of Asian Americans to play the game of basketball. Lin is giving
Asian men a more attractive look when it comes to sports.
What Lin has done has been thrilling and exciting to witness. It is amazing to
see that he has been able to break through the different stereotypes to prove
that Asian Americans can play alongside and beat the best in the NBA. Lin’s story
has been embraced by the American public, with fans from all races cheering him
on, but we have also been reminded of the ugliness with which Asians have often
been depicted in American culture. I just can’t imagine the racist taunts that
he receives from opponents and fans. Is the ‘Linsanity’ hype caused by race?
Alicia Jefferson
I think the 'Linsanity' hype is caused by race. I think that he was also a nobody story. I think that Yao Ming was just as big as Jeremy Lin because you never see Asian American's in basketball play at such a high level. I don't think that people were being racist when it came to making jokes about 'Linsanity'. The jokes did not seem malicious and hopefully Jeremy Lin did not see them as hurtful, although I can't speak for him. His story was just so likable that it blew up so much. It kind of reminds me of Victor Cruz in a way. Victor Cruz became the player he is because of an injury and now he's a superstar.
ReplyDeleteMatt Pitzulo
I believe too that the hype from Jeremy Lin as well as Yao Ming stemmed from racism, because of the stereotypes that we have placed upon Asian Americans. We don't expect them to be good at basketball, and when we see them enter into the NBA we don't expect much from them. After Yao didn't perform to the fullest in the NBA and was labeled as a "soft" player, I think many thought Lin was going to perform the same way. But, when Lin broke out and started making headline after headline, we started to change our views. After he broke out though, I don't believe the comments that were being made about him were racist at all. I think the racial views were more or less dropped after he started doing well. I think now, after Lin's performance, that most are going to drop the stereotypes about the Asian Americans in the NBA, because Lin proved that they can play just as well and even better at times than anyone else on the court.
ReplyDelete-Paxin Stern
I never thought about the comparison between Linsanity and Victor Cruz, but I agree with Matt that there was a racist element to the stereotypes that Jeremy Lin has endured. Good entries by both of you. I look forward to reading what others think about Alicia's question.
ReplyDeleteDr. Spencer
I also have to agree with Matt in this scenario I dont think that the commments or jokes being made about Jeremy Lin were not racist. However when Lin began making headline after headline the view of those people making jokes and comments about him started to change their views on him. I also didnt think that the stereotypes that were made about Yao Ming didnt help Lin as well. I think people saw him as another Yao Ming but i think that he is proving them wrong.
ReplyDeleteTyler Clifton
I agree that Asian American basketball players suffer from stereotypes and are judged before we even see them play the game of basketball. Maybe we can compare this to Michael Jordan and how it takes a player who is respected and of great prestige to change how a race is looked at. Ming is a very big name in the NBA yet part of the largeness wasn't related to his talent necessarily, but his height. Lin is making a name for himself in a different manner. He is progressing and will continue to keep making himself a force to be reckoned with. I believe as long as Asian American athletes keep excelling in sports that they will gain more respect.
ReplyDeleteCasey Daulbaugh
It's sad but the truth is Asian American basketball players and I think in general most Asian athletes face these stereo types. Asians are seen to be wise and smart in areas like math and science, for example and not having strong in skill in sports. I remember hearing about Lin thinking he is a mini version of "Ming" because I remember how America instant clung to Ming and his style of play. Players like Ming, Lin, Tiger Woods, and Yu Darvish are breaking barriers for Asians in sports here in America. They are breaking the mindsets Americans have about Asians playing sports. The comments weren't racist like the SNL skit we saw in class, if anything, I believe it gave Lin positive publicity to the audience. From watching the Olympics though, we Asian athletes see the determination and dedication these show in their events. Most of the Asian in the Olympics start training at an early age and stay disciplined as apart their culture as well. China has always been a competition for the US so it's weird how us Americans cling to the stereo types when many Americans see first hand in Olympics how the Asian athletes compete. Why is different when Asian athletes come to US or Asian-Americans play a professional sport?
ReplyDelete-Chelsea VanAssche