Yahoo Finance Jeremy Lin sends love to Asian American community after 'heartbreaking' Georgia spa shootings
Jeremy Lin is once again using his platform to send love and hope to the Asian community after an act of violence.
Lin jumped on social media Tuesday night after learning of the shootings at three Atlanta-area massage parlors. Eight people were killed in the attacks, and six of them were women of Asian descent. Lin tweeted a message of support to the Asian American community, urging them to take care of themselves and continue fighting for change.
This is sooo heartbreaking...praying for our world. To my Asian American family, please take time to grieve but know youre loved, seen and IMPORTANT. We have to keep standing up, speaking out, rallying together and fighting for change. We cannot lose hope!! ❤️#StopAsianHate #NOW https://t.co/Xm4ojbJALw
— Jeremy Lin (@JLin7) March 17, 2021
Lin continues speaking out
Incidents of hatred and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) are on the rise in the U.S. According to a study done by Stop AAPI Hate, almost 3,800 incidents of harassment, assault, discrimination and more were reported over the past year. In July 2020, a survey by the Pew Research Center showed that 3 in 10 Asian Americans reported experiencing racial slurs or jokes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Lin, who has been playing for the Santa Cruz Warriors inside the G League bubble, has not been immune. He revealed in February that another player called him "coronavirus" during a game. Lin has continually used his platform as an Asian American athlete to denounce racial violence and call for unity. He recently took part in the program "Race in America: A Candid Conversation," which aired on NBC Sports Bay Area.
On the show, Lin said that the increased violence has driven him to speak out, and he displayed deep empathy for those who are involved.
“I feel bad for somebody who harbors hate for somebody else, who they’ve never met, just based on skin color,” Lin said via NBC Sports Bay Area. “That makes me want to do something. It makes me want to educate people or speak out and find ways to make a difference.
“Honestly, it goes almost from anger to heartbreak. Almost like a sadness, but mixed with compassion. I almost feel for the people who are hurting the victims.”
Lin also called for unity and solidarity among minority groups, saying that the only way to make real change is to do it together.
“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 said. “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.”
NBA stars denounce violence against Asian community
Lin has called for unity among minority groups, and a few current and former NBA stars are stepping up to support that.
LeBron James called the suspected shooter a "coward" in a tweet he sent in the early hours of Wednesday morning, and Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young sent his condolences to the families affected by the tragedy.
My condolences goes out to the families of all the victims and the entire Asian community tonight on what transpired in Atlanta at the Aromatherapy Spa. Coward a** young man!! Just senseless and tragic!! 🙏🏾❤️👑
— LeBron James (@KingJames) March 17, 2021
SICK about what happened here in ATL yesterday, my Condolences go out to the family’s & loved ones who were affected by this tragedy😞 Nothing else needs to be said... I’m with you!❤️
STOP ASIAN HATE!!!!!!— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) March 17, 2021
Retired Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade tweeted a heartfelt statement along with the hashtag "#StopAsianHate".
#StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/VnEPzFIR3J
— DWade (@DwyaneWade) March 17, 2021
Golden State Warriors coach Steve Kerr — one of the most outspoken in the league — had a thread of tweets condemning the shootings.
It is on all of us to speak up & snuff out hate based violence. The current climate of animosity toward Asian Americans is idiotic and devastating. Just because a virus originated in a foreign country, we are going to blame people from that part of the world, denigrate them and
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) March 17, 2021
must support our fellow Asian American countrymen&women, especially during this pandemic. It’s NOT okay to call COVID 19 the ‘Asian Flu,’ like our ignorant ex president did. It’s not okay to fan the flames of racism by blaming others for something they had nothing to do with.
— Steve Kerr (@SteveKerr) March 17, 2021
Warriors star Stephen Curry was right there with him, too.
Honestly have been trying to find words to do this situation in our country justice.... but this 👇🏽 speaks loud. Be aware, do your part. Get educated. https://t.co/his0GfqHsr https://t.co/yL1wY3AF7a
— Stephen Curry (@StephenCurry30) March 18, 2021
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