Floyd Mayweather takes a shot at Jeremy Lin, based on his race!?

After all of the buzz that Jeremy Lin received, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. doesn't seem to happy about it. He recently tweeted this:

Apparently, he thinks that Jeremy Lin's popularity is based on the fact that he's Asian, and not the fact that he's doing really well. But, Mayweather seems to think that what he's doing isn't as noteworthy. As a result, he's been heavily criticized by the media for this Tweet, deeming it to be somewhat offensive. Although I don't completely agree with him, I can see where he's coming from as far as race. I guess what he's trying to say is that the hype comes from the fact that it's rare to see an Asian basketball player do well in the NBA. Thus, people are going to be fascinated by that. At the same, it's difficult for me to share Mayweather's point of view on the matter, because I see things from a multi-cultural, multi-racial point of view. I view him as a good basketball player, not a good Asian basketball player. Not saying I'm colorblind, but I like to acknowledge people's accomplishments based on their accomplishments, and nothing more.

Another thing I don't agree with in this statement is the fact that he thinks Black basketball players don't get recognized or praised for doing the same thing Lin does. It's a false statement. Black basketball players have been dominating the sport for decades, and have been recognized on top of that for just as long, so it's clear that Mayweather's statement is a little on the ignorant side. If he's not as happy for Lin as everyone else is, then that's perfectly fine. But, to put down Black basketball players in an attempt to get your point across or put more emphasis on the premise of your statement is a low blow, in my opinion.

EDIT: However, if Mayweather meant to say that there are many Black basketball players in the NBA (excluding the really, really goods ones) that are just as good as Lin but don't get the same amount of praise or respect, then I can agree there.

This, however, is nothing compared to what Jason Whitlock of FOX Sports said in his tweet the night Lin scored 38 points against Kobe Bryant and the Lakers. If you didn't like what Mayweather said, you're going to hate this:

Talk about racial stereotypes. >_>

Whitlock should have been fired for that statement, but then again, it's FOX. He has since apologize for this Tweet.

Any thoughts, anyone?

The link for reference (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/floyd-mayweather-twitter-jeremy-lin-knicks-star_n_1274832.html)

Racism is terrible, obviously, but that second tweet made me LMFAO.

I've never liked Mayweather and I hope Miguel Cotto beats the crap out of him.

Eh, I don't think race is that big a factor with the buzz around Lin. I don't watch much sports but when people talk about him it's about the numbers he's churning out, not that he's good while being Asian.

More reason to hate him.

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=5930100

Mayweather will do anything for attention except fight Manny. And Whitlock's Twit was funny, I don't care who you are.

Sounds alot like Muhammed Ali. Tshh...   
They are scum. Badass boxers, but scum.

Heh. 
 
I was just recently thinking this about Lin.

@_slim_ said:

Heh. I was just recently thinking this about Lin.

Do you feel the same way Mayweather feels?

Floyd Mayweather is racist...I didn't know that everyone else didn't know this already.

Floyd is a hater...plain and simple.

Asians scare Floyd, is all.

He feels threatened by them.

Whitlock is a joke.
 
http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Unlike-Denver-Broncos-quarterback-Tim-Tebow-New-York-Knicks-point-guard-Jeremy-Lin-is-real-deal-021412

Asian player makes a rise in basketball and people are making racist comments??

Shocking!

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement
 
stop talking and just box dude

@_slim_ said:

Whitlock is a joke.

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/Unlike-Denver-Broncos-quarterback-Tim-Tebow-New-York-Knicks-point-guard-Jeremy-Lin-is-real-deal-021412

What a pathetic way of saying, "My bad."

Just reading his excuses and attempts to divert the fact he f*cked up is annoying as hell.

@cattlebattle said:

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement stop talking and just box dude

Nah, social media don't give a f*ck about offensive things towards asians.

Like this superbowl ad:

Yeah, there will always be racism.

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement stop talking and just box dude

They're both goofs. The world would be better without people like them.

@cattlebattle said:

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement stop talking and just box dude

@cattlebattle said:

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement stop talking and just box dude

I don't think a white guy would have an opportunity to say something like that....even if they wanted to.

@cattlebattle: He works in a sport where he's one of the only two stars that really really really draw people. Because he's an idiot people want to see him get punched.

haha "a couple inches of pain"

Whitlock is pathetically honest about his size. It it was me I'd have gone with a significantly higher number.

I think Jeremy Lin deserves all the praise he's getting. He's playing his butt off. But that doesn't mean the race thing is any less accurate. Not entirely true, but not entirely untrue either.

But that doesn't mean the race thing is any less accurate. Not entirely true, but not entirely untrue either.

It's funny, Mayweather's statement almost reminds me of the comments I heard from white people in the eighties regarding black players.

@Static Shock said:

At the same, it's difficult for me to share Mayweather's point of view on the matter, because I see things from a multi-cultural, multi-racial point of view. I view him as a good basketball player, not a good Asian basketball player. Not saying I'm colorblind, but I like to acknowledge people's accomplishments based on their accomplishments, and nothing more.

I think it's important to remember that he's both.

He deserves praise for being a dominant player and for being one of the few Asian players in the game.

@texasdeathmatch said:

@cattlebattle said:

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement stop talking and just box dude

Dude, in all honesty, Asians still do get sh*t on a lot, look at Holly wood, try to name an asian actor that isn't :: a)a martial artist... b)the dude from Harold and Kumar c) Bobby Lee...

@cattlebattle said:

LOL, If a white guy said some sh*t like this his career would be toast--- end social commentary statement stop talking and just box dude

I don't think a white guy would have an opportunity to say something like that....even if they wanted to.

Don Imus kinda did. And look what happened to him. It's interesting that all Whitlock had to do was write some bullsh*t letter about understanding the Asian/black relation. Good ol Fox.

@Vance Astro: Oh, I'm talking about Jason Whitlock haha.  edit: or for some reason thought you were too...my bad.

For the record, Floyd says stuff like this all the time.He's either a closet racist or he's really under the impression that blacks STILL don't get a fair shake in sports.In some respect he IS right though.Black superstars do what Jeremy Lin is doing EVERYDAY.I just don't think he watches enough basketball to know that his statement doesn't reflect the actual reasoning behind why people are going crazy over Lin.He's not just good..he's good out of nowhere.He sat the bench on several teams and has been in the D-league and now all of a sudden the Knicks who are garbage are on a winning streak and he has AMAZING #'s.He's not just scoring alot, he scores at a high percentage.He's not just scoring alot he also has a high level of assists every night.Very few players are playing as well as he is right now.

@TheWitchingHour said:

I think it's important to remember that he's both.

I'm aware of this. But, my point is that a good basketball player shouldn't be race-specific. He's obviously Asian. Must I acknowledge that he is? Why can't he just be acknowledged as an individual, also?

Man, he's right. I've never heard of an African-American player being hyped up or praised in the NBA. You just don't see that sh!t.

@Dane: LOL.

@Dane: Well said.

@Static Shock said:

@TheWitchingHour said:

I think it's important to remember that he's both.

I'm aware of this. But, my point is that a good basketball player shouldn't be race-specific. He's obviously Asian. Must I acknowledge that he is? Why can't he just be acknowledged as an individual, also?

You're absolutely right it shouldn't be race specific and honestly I think that the majority of basketball fans don't think it is race specific with Lin. But trying to focus on his sportsmanship and ability without mentioning his race is fighting a losing battle. His race is invariably a part of who he is and to separate him from that is not only detrimental to Asians in the sports world but also (I'd imagine) somewhat detrimental to him. People remember Jesse Owens because he raised his fist in pride against Hitler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, a particularly poignant moment for black history in sports. But they also remember him because he was the best runner in the world at the time and he held the world record for most Olympic Gold medals won in Track & Field. If Jesse Owens can be remembered as both why not Jeremy Lin?

And I think that trying to view Lin's situation as racially neutral isn't really appropriate either. The reason that he's getting so much press is that he's Asian. No denying that. But this also gives him a chance to become an NBA great and transcend that label. I worry that getting caught up in apologizing for or condemning those who analyze and scrutinize his ethnicity is in a way detrimental to racial progression as well. Color commentators are going to have Lin as a flavor of the month (that didn't sound right) and if he continues to hold up his race will no longer be an issue. If he doesn't it will no longer be an issue. His heritage coupled with his job is something people are curious about and hopefully he will use that notoriety to become a great player. For right now I'll consider him both a great player and a great asian player.

@TheWitchingHour: Understandable.

Racism can and does come from all races.

@PowerHerc said:

Racism can and does come from all races.

Yep.

One thing I like about Mayweather is that he speaks his mind, makes his money, and doesn't give a crap what anyone else thinks.

Being an Asian male I was offended and i think its unfair...

Floyd is right......

He deserves to make his opinions known.