Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Jeremy Lin: Fit in, or be true to yourself?



WITH THESE two videos from his Youtube channel, Jeremy Lin takes the look at the dilemma many of us have faced at some point in our lives: How far do you have to go to "fit in" and in doing so, at what point do you lose who you really are?

Fortunately, the guard for the NBA's Charlotte Hornets has a defense mechanism that allows him to  is laugh off the situations he finds himself in as one of only two players of Asian descent in a sport dominated by African/American athletes.


For many of us, the hurt and anguish caused by this common dilemma, is too great to be laughed off. 



In interviews, Lin has acknowledged the difficulties he has had to face to overcome the stereotypical views some of his former teammates had for Asian/American athletes: Not fast, can't shoot, can't jump, not aggressive. 

As I watched the videos, I laughed because Jeremy is a funny guy; but it's also too easy to empathize because - to a lesser degree - I've experienced the duality that most of us "minorities" have had to endure. Then the long pause occurs ... personal memories flood back in.


Jeremy Lin: Laugh and the world laughs with you.


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