When thinking about certain images, symbols, stereotypes, or any other type of racial, ethnic, or cultural representation associated with Asians or Asian Americans, he or she will probably not immediately think of an actual person. However, when asked to write a paper on the topic of my choice, I felt that there was one person who stood out to me who made a true impact on the world we live in today. This mans name is Jeremy Lin, a basketball player in the National Basketball League who took the league by storm just a few years ago. Coming from nothing, Lin was able to beat the odds and over go an incredible transformation both mentally and physically. Through his hard work and dedication, Jeremy was able to make a serious cultural and social …show more content…
His contributions to the NBA and the Asian American community might never be matched. Asian Americans know how it feels to be at the bottom of the totem pole and the topic of jokes and stereotypes. They have succeeded in many areas, but sports are not one of them. So, when the rare time comes and a star Asian American sports figure emerges, they tend to latch on and rally around these athletes. This can be seen through the likes of Tiger Woods and Yao Ming. However, no athlete of any race or social class has ever seen the support that Jeremy Lin has. People have looked up to him as a hero or savior for Asians living in America. Phil Yu, the founder of a popular Internet blog called Angry Asian Man, put the “Linsanity” into perspective when he was quoted stating, “Asian-Americans are still seen as foreigners in this country, seeing Jeremy Lin accepted and celebrated in this American sport, it makes us more American, and it makes other people see us as more American." This quote does a great job of showing the real value that Jeremy Lin holds as a true icon in the Asian American community. They rallied around him as a symbol of hope and perseverance. To show just how valued Jeremy Lin is to his fan base, one could look at his game against the Raptors in the middle of Linsanity as a prime example. In this game, Jeremy hit a last second three pointer to seal the victory for the New York Knicks. The …show more content…
He evolved and grew as a player, man, and role model both in the eyes of his community and in the eyes of God. His tremendous evolution did not begin with Linsanity, but rather as soon as he went undrafted in the NBA draft. This was just another blow to Jeremy’s life long dream, but he wouldn’t let that bring him down. Jeremy worked even harder, and put his trust in God. The Jeremy Lin that went undrafted out of Harvard was not the same Jeremy Lin that took Madison Square Garden by storm. Through hard work and dedication, Jeremy began to believe in himself, and was able to put an entire culture and community on his back. He would be the first to arrive at the gym and last to leave (Beck). This type of worth ethic is something that is key in a role model today. The impressive thing is that he was able to keep this great work ethic while also being the topic of many racial slurs and jokes. One must have very thick skin and an unbreakable mindset to be able to pull off what he was able to do. With that being said, the evolution Jeremy underwent as both a player and man is one that can and should be mirrored by younger kids in the Asian American
The article by Min Zhou titled "Are Asian Americans becoming "white"? was relatively interesting as it provides a look at a different perspective of Asian Americans regarding immigration. I found it particularly interesting to learn that Asian Americans are considered to be white in equal opportunity programs; however, the race is still seen as different from Americans of European ancestry. Furthermore, I was not shocked to read that Zhou described the Asian American race as the "model minority." When first looking at the reading, I was shocked by the title because I thought it was a little exaggerated. I believe the author could have chosen a more suitable phrase rather than "Asian Americans are becoming white"; however, it does provide significant
In a year were so many great athletes are no longer with us, Payne Stewart, Wilt Chamberlain, Joe DiMaggio, Walter Payton, the man we thought would have passed away first is still among us, Magic Johnson. Rick Reilly does a remarkable job on this praising article on Magic. Reilly talks about how fit magic is. "He can bench 325 pounds. Weighing 245, he's about 20 pounds heavier than he was in his prime, but now he's ripped." He is still playing basketball in different celebrity appearances, and plays quite well in them although he is way older than everyone there. What really impressed me the most about Magic is influence as a black businessman. Reilly showed me, as well as America, a different side of Magic that is not seen on Sports Center. "He owns five Starbucks and has plans to open 10 more, nearly all of them in black neighborhoods, including one in Crenshaw and one in Harlem." Magic is willing to put money into the ghettos when other white investors are not. He owns many different businesses, from a TV company to a bank. What is truly amazing is he hires all black people to build and work his businesses. "Magic feels like many black athletes forget where they came from, I try not to." When I read this I was really stunned. He made a fortune taking risks that many other people won't try. He is living his life to the fullest and using his HIV experience to educate great number of people.
Lin is an important public figure of this decade, yet it is awful that it has taken years for an Asian American to be a part of the NBA. In the documentary, Lin demonstrated that even as an underdog he never gave up, and he had many reasons why he should have. Lin is also perceived as a someone with many financial difficulties, but in reality he had all the resources to be successful: parent’s support, financial support, education support, and athletic support. The documentary is biased because it makes him appear as a one in a million who was able to make it pro. Linsanity is powerful in sharing and inspiring minorities, but because the movie is biased about social status, and no other minority has struggled in the league.
During the time of Michael Jordan and the now present Lebron James American culture has changed a lot. Both of these two superstars show how American society love and appreciate their superstars. The society loves them both, they are both amazingly talented and have supporting fans that will always be by their side no matter what happens, through the peaks and valleys. These two allstars are beyond incredible and show their talent in a variety of ways. Both are very truly “Blessed” with their talents and capabilities. Both MJ and LBJ are two of the best to ever to play the game of basketball. Jordan and James are both good at what they do, Jordan and James’ passion to get to the rim and make plays really put a spark in both of their game. These traits that both of the stars have really make their fans and supporters love them even more! Both of these stars show how American Society love their stars and role models.
He showed people that with patience and courage, time will change for the better. Jackie didn’t do anything wrong in society besides wanting to play baseball and change everyone for the better. Jackie still has an impact even though he passed away. He shows people that it doesn’t matter if you are black, white, yellow, orange, tan, or any skin color. Jackie shows a lot of love through his foundations. “After his death, his wife established the Jackie Robinson Foundation dedicated to his life and work. The foundation helps young people in need by providing scholarships and mentoring programs”(bio). Jackie shows that if they put their mind and head towards what they want to do in life, they could achieve
In this article, Eric Liu presents his life as a native immigrant to an Asian American individual. He shares his experience through his reflection of ideas and emotions. Along with his story, it relates to the ideas of people’s journey from adolescence to adulthood. Eric’s inspirational experience is directed towards minority groups who try to adapt to the American culture and lifestyle. His parents emigrated from China to America, before he was born which he later became exposed to the freedom and diverse society. This results in beneficial effects for his individuality, career opportunities, and lifestyle. Although his parents have lived in a different culture than him, his life in America has made him assimilated into the American society
Several foreign basketball players have individually left their marks on NBA courts, in NBA record books, and in their fans’ hearts. Different ethnic groups, races, and sports fans in general have united, cheering on heroic efforts from players from overseas. These international players amped up the level of competition in basketball and found themselves at home in the NBA. Four international players have been honored with the most prestigious award a player can receive in professional basketball, NBA MVP. These same four players are undoubtedly future Hall of Famers and were listed in the top 30 international players of all time in a 2013 “Dime Magazine” article (Daruaku). These four players, Steve Nash, Tim Duncan,...
For me and what I learned Linsanity is hope personified. Linsanity had a tremendous impact on the society, and on the young teenagers and adults who say that something cannot be possible because there is racial discrimination, now with the example of Jeremy Lin and his Linsanity we can know that things can be possible despite the discrimination we are facing and that although the clouds are black and the storm does not stop, at the end the sun will rise and we will have our reward. Linsanity is a revolution that no doubt came to change forever the history of the NBA because Jeremy Lin broke with all the stereotypes of basketball being now the star of the NBA being hin an Asian. Racial discrimination is no obstacle for anyone, at least it's not an obstacle to being part of the
Wu, Ellen D. "Asian Americans and the 'model Minority' Myth." Los Angeles Times. 23 Jan. 2014. Los Angeles Times. Web. 04 Feb. 2014. .
Asian Americans must go above and beyond what is expected in the industry, compared to white and black Americans who seem to have it much easier. “Always, it is the Asian who assimilates, who must explain his or her presence and professionalism, who must earn the right to exist and speak, who must prove his or her authority and credibility” (Agtarap, 1994, p.267).... ... middle of paper ... ... Retrieved December 9, 2004 from http://www.cds http://sree.net/quotes/chron2.html Portrayal of race, ethnicity and nationality in televised international athletic events.
Media often exaggerate the characteristics of Asian and Asian Americans. Stereotypes in film maintain common ones like Asians who are masters of martial arts a...
For 20 years, Asian Americans have been portrayed by the press and the media as a successful minority. Asian Americans are believed to benefit from astounding achievements in education, rising occupational statuses, increasing income, and are problem-fee in mental health and crime. The idea of Asian Americans as a model minority has become the central theme in media portrayal of Asian Americans since the middle 1960s. The term model minority is given to a minority group that exhibits middle class characteristics, and attains some measure of success on its own without special programs or welfare. Asian Americans are seen as a model minority because even though they have faced prejudice and discrimination by other racial groups, they have succeeded socially, economically, and educationally without resorting to political or violent disagreements with the majority race. The “success” of the minority is offered as proof that the American dream of equal opportunity is capable to those who conform and who are willing to work hard. Therefore, the term ...
“Iguodala to Curry, back to Iguodala, up for the layup! Oh! Blocked by James! LeBron James with the rejection!” These were the words spoken by ESPN’s Mike Breen during Game 7 of the 2016 NBA Finals, describing one of the best defensive plays in NBA history. Hello, I am Steven Lai, and we are here today to celebrate LeBron James. We celebrate him because he is one of the greatest basketball players on the court and off the court. As a huge LeBron fan, I can tell you all why we are here to celebrate him. To celebrate LeBron James, I will talk about his accomplishments in the NBA, his social activism, and his charitable acts.
It is as though Asian Americans are succumbing to the thought that America is the only place to be and that they should be grateful to live here. On the other hand, keeping silent due to pressures from the white population means being shunned by the members of the Asian American population. I disagree with Chin’s assertion that “years of apparent silence have made us accomplices” to the makers of stereotypes (Chin 1991, xxxix). I agree with Hongo’s argument that the Chin viewpoint “limits artistic freedom” (Hongo 4). Declaring that those writers who do not argue stereotypes of the good, loyal, and feminine Chinese man or the submissive female, are in any way contributing to or disagreeing with them is ridiculous.
Basketball has had a large impact in the society. In the NBA, the teams bring out nationalism within their city. Various cities have a National basketball team representing them in the NBA. This in turn brings out a healthy competition that paves the way to socialization, support, and unity among individuals. NBA players can have a positive impact on individuals as well as an entire nation. ESPN deemed Jeremy Lin, an NBA player, to have the ability to expand basketball largely in China.