Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks waved off his teammates to take the game winning shot in Toronto against the Toronto Raptors on February 14, 2012.
Why is this a big deal?
It’s a big deal because we witnessed an Asian man in the NBA have the confidence to say that I’ve got this and led his team to victory. We need to see more visible Asian role models in sports, media, colleges/universities and workplaces have the confidence to lead just like Jeremy did that night on February 14. These individuals have put in the work, earned it and now it’s time to take credit for it. It’s been long overdue.
I could think of few questions to start empowering the current and next generation of Asians to have the audacity to wave ’em off (said in positive sense) when the time comes.
Are we encouraging children to speak with confidence at home and at school?
What’s the mindset that the parents and culture are creating for their children?
Who are the kids’ current role models and why?
Are the children and youth able/given the opportunity to see more individuals that look like them in sports/media/colleges/universities and workplaces?
Are parents and mentors having meaningful conversations and discussions around documentaries such as 38 at the Garden?
I’d love to hear other thoughts and suggestions on how to empower the current and next generation of Asians.
Inspired to write this blog after reading Dave Lu’s The Audacity to Wave ‘Em Off and watching the documentary 38 at the Garden.