Former New York Knicks star Jeremy Lin accused United States President Donald Trump of “empowering racism” in the midst of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic terrorizing the entire world.
Lin, who is currently signed with the Beijing Ducks in the Chinese Basketball Association after nine seasons in the NBA, took offense to Trump words after the POTUS referred to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus”.
The 31-year-old Taiwanese-American made his displeasure known through a series of tweets on Thursday.
🤦🏻♂️I wish you would powerfully support the vulnerable people that will suffer due to our mismanagement of this virus, including those that will be affected by the racism you’re empowering https://t.co/QfRHiOFGEm
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
And I dont wanna hear about no German measles/Spanish flu bc everyday Asian-Americans inc ppl I know are threatened and physically attacked. I dont give a crap about the history of names rn. What I do know is this subtle anti-Chinese message only empowers more hate towards asians
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
Can you honestly tell me there is ZERO anti-Chinese sentiment in all his characterizations of the virus? Can you honestly tell me Asians aren't being unfairly physically attacked today in the US? Is it that hard to use coronavirus or COVID-19? We playin the blame game in a crisis https://t.co/OsGo5wvW1k
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2020
The first case of the coronavirus was diagnosed in Wuhan, the capital of Hubei province, in China. There have been multiple reports of racial attacks directed to the Asian community since the virus began spreading all over the world.
Jeremy Lin, meanwhile, has been vocal about stereotypes and racial profiling throughout his basketball career. The 31-year-old guard recently pledged to donate one million Chinese yuan to get medical equipment to Wuhan as well as an additional $150,000 towards fighting this virus.
“I'm not good with the old school Asian model minority stigma where we won't speak up or stand up for ourselves. In times like now, we truly truly need to stay united. Let's fight this virus TOGETHER!! Wash your hands, practice social distancing, take this seriously, stay safe,” he wrote in a separate tweet.
As with other major sporting leagues around the globe, the NBA has also been deeply affected by the coronavirus crisis. A total of ten NBA players have now been tested positive after two unidentified Los Angeles Lakers were revealed to be infected on Thursday.
Rudy Gobert, Donovan Mitchell, Christian Wood, Kevin Durant, and Marcus Smart are the known cases, while three unnamed other Brooklyn Nets were also tested positive.
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