Asian NBA Player Accused of Appropriating Black Culture Fires Back Against Hypocrisy

Jeremy Lin is an Asian-American NBA player for the Brooklyn Nets, and he has dreadlocks. Most people simply found that eye-catching, but one former player took it a step further.

Former Nets forward Kenyon Martin tore into Lin in an Instagram video Wednesday for the dreadlocks, but Lin’s response showed class and the composure of someone who has been judged for being an Asian in a predominantly black league for years.

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Martin played for the Nets, then in New Jersey, from 2000-04, and retired from the league after the 2014-15 season. He said this in an Instagram video:

“Do I need to remind this damn boy that his last name Lin?” Martin said. “Like, come on, man. Let’s stop with these people. There is no way possible he would’ve made it on one of our teams with that bulls**t on his head.

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Lin avoided taking any direct shots at Martin in his reply, but did point out one glaring bit of hypocrisy in Martin’s cultural appropriation accusation.

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“Hey man. Its all good you don’t have to like my hair and definitely entitled to your opinion. Actually i legit grateful you sharin it tbh. At the end of the day i appreciate that i have dreads and you have Chinese tattoos bc i think its a sign of respect.

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