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This week, professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., tweeted on the success of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, proclaiming "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what ...

Submit this storydigg reddit stumble This week, professional boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr., tweeted on the success of New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin, proclaiming "Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he's Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don't get the same praise." Mayweather may or may not be factually correct, but his comments reflect the deeper motivation for the pronouncement.

Mayweather's narrative about Lin does not reflect racism or hatred, rather it reflects racial resentment. There is no evidence that Mayweather hates Asian Americans or believes that they are an inferior race, but it is clear that Mayweather resents the attention Lin has received because he is Asian American relative to African Americans. In fact, Mayweather claimed to speak for "other NBA players," and justify his actions as no different from ESPN's offering off opinions.

This behavior closely resembles racial resentment, and ironically, the foundation of contemporary racial attitudes toward African Americans as well.

Resentment is a very basic moral sentiment. Resentment as anger toward, or a feeling of indignant displeasure at, some perceived wrong; often arising from emotionally disturbing experiences occurring over and over again, or relived in one's mind. Resentment shows itself most vehemently when individuals perceive others have been advantaged by violating norms and cultural expectations centered on justice and fairness.

Applying this to race, racial resentment will encompass levels of anger, bitterness, or concern related beliefs about the deservingness of special considerations on the basis of race. Ostensibly, "special considerations" and attention for one group but not another violate norms of fairness and expectations about who should get what in society. Thus, the racially resentful person is easily offended racial celebration and other racial justifications for special consideration, because he or she believes they are unfounded or unfair. As a result, any attempts to present race as a rationale for social problems, inequality, or celebration are invalid. In short, racial resentment toward racial groups results from an irritation over the use of race as a justification for societal benefits, and it does NOT require that one group dislike another.

Mayweather thought it was unfair that Lin has received celebratory attention, but not because of Lin's basketball "merits" rather it was because of Lin's race. Had Lin been African American--shared group membership--Mayweather would clearly have no basis for his racialized resentments. Ironically, this situation is a teachable moment, particularly for those who believe that race is not still a part of American political judgments and decision making.

Every race related comment is not racist or an expression of "racism." Racialized thinking can range from open hostility--what some call "old-fashioned racism"--to color-blind passivity--what some would call "racial ambivalence." While we'd all like to think we make judgments and decisions that are void of racial thinking, experts know this is practically impossible. We have implicit (unconscious) attitudes which drive our behavior, just as we have conscious ones. The difference is that the conscious ones are much more controllable; that is, unless we're fatigued, highly emotional, distracted, or intoxicated, all of which make it harder for us to conceal our true feelings.

The point is that Mayweather's comments are reflective of a society still entrenched in racialized, but perhaps not "racist" thinking. The prototypical racist is one who hates others because their skin color (or heritage) denotes an inherent social and biological inferiority. While these types of racists still exist, they are in the extreme minority.

The larger proportions of persons are racially resentful; they resent the differentiated celebration of race, and any claims of special considerations on the basis of race. This would include giving special attention to events like Black history month, the election of the "first African American" president, or the accomplishments of the "first Asian American born" basketball star. These resentments also extend to policies that deal with the specific problem of race, including diversity programs, so called "affirmative action" programs, and any other efforts to give race a "special consideration" or "special advantage" in society.

While many Whites legitimately feel race is an unnecessary cause for celebration or special consideration, it is also true that such feelings reflect racial resentment. Also, while many African Americans and Hispanics legitimately feel Whites have received unearned benefits of the doubt when dealing with the criminal justice system, it is also true that such feelings reflect racialized resentments. And, ironically, the source of the resentment is the same: a perception of underserved advantages.

There is near unanimous agreement that racial discrimination and prejudice are morally wrong, and therefore any appearance of bigotry, is often dismissed as having nothing to do with racialized intent. But we would be naïve to think that we are in a post-racial society. A "post-racist" (not racial) society is an admirable goal, but one should ask why we would even desire a post-racial society, as if multiple cultures, racial-ethnic backgrounds, and other differences can't be celebrated and appreciated simultaneously. If sportsmanship can exist, and be mandated, in athletics, then tolerance--which is not the absence of negative attitudes--should be able to exist in broader group politics.

Today, racial resentment stands as the primary driver of racial discrimination and prejudice in American society. It is the debt of over 300 years of racial and ethnic divisions, which has produced and maintained residential, educational, religious, and social segregation; and a social order where we see the world as "us" and "them." While research shows resentment exists among Whites more than other groups, as Mayweather's comments show, it is not limited to Whites. Resentment is a sentiment that none of us can control, but we can at least acknowledge it and understand its source. That is, if, and only if we're motivated to do so.

Prologue: For those who think this essay wrongly picks on issue of race, simply imagine the following situations. A "cheater" succeeds and is celebrated, but a person who follows the rules gets no recognition. You stand/sit in a long line, while a few others sneak in to gain immediate access and cheer their act (especially on a highway exit ramp or congested merge lane). A new worker is praised for their few accomplishments, while the 20 year reliable veteran is ignored. These are a few examples of situations that can prime feelings of resentment. In each case, someone has gained an unearned and celebrated advantage over another. Racialized resentment is just another case of this same concept.

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1 hour ago ( 4:44 PM) Why are you even writing about this? Mayweather did not make an informed opinion, Mayweather is doing what Mayweather does draw attention to himself. Mayweather realized at one point there is lots of money to be made being the Villian. Newsflash, he is not the first boxer to do so. Making this story about Lin does a disservice to Lin, it would have been better to explain Mayweather­'s tactics as opposed to opening up the subject matter he is using to sell pay per view buyers.

2 hours ago ( 4:16 PM) I think he is way off point on this,The fact is that MSG and the Big apple have been starved for this kind of sensation for a long time,this is a sensation in New York anywhere else and its barely a blip,and besides Mayweather should stop ducking Manny!!!!!­!

2 hours ago ( 3:55 PM) Mayweather used the the wrong apporach to make a good point. It's not that Lin is not a good basketball player, it's the fact that the media and the NBA have chosen to promote this kid solely on his ethnicity. It's a backhanded compliment­. He is a good basketball player, but he is doing what dozens of guys do everynight­. His job. He is the benifactor of the New York media, but they have shaped this into a "Asian" story, rather than a 'he played on a couple of other teams and finally landed on one where his skills could be fully displayed" story. If taken in a pure basketball sense, he is nothing new, or special. It's the fact that the media has credited his success from being Asian.

Now, looking at it from an Asian standpoint­, if Lin's success gets more American born Asian kids into basketball­; like the NBA was hoping Yao Ming would do, more power to him. I think the fact that he is a Harvard grad, only boosts his appeal.

The real loser in all of this is Tim Tebow! Huffpo has cut down the number of insignific­ant articles it dedicated to him, and are now giving them to Lin! Did you guys know Lin was dating Katey Perry AND Linsey Voss? I hear Lin is also going to run for Senate after his playing career is done!

3 hours ago ( 3:21 PM) Amazing! A few years ago, ACORN protested right in front of Stuyvesant high school ( specialize­d high school in NYC ) They protested that majority of the population in the specialize­d High School, Bronx Science, Brooklyn Technical and Stuyvesant are Asians. The principal offered the group to let their kids take the test for admission. Lin with all the excitement has nothing to do with being Asian, Lin was unknown until he played and did so well. The truth that he's a Harvard graduate is one factor too. Also he stay humble which is really admira ble...

3 hours ago ( 3:13 PM) the ironic thing is these comments are no different than what Limbaugh said about Donovan McNabb. One thing I've noticed is african americans often promote the very same stereotype­s we criticize non-africa­n americans for for having.

If someone assumes that all AA are good at basketball then someone would get offended with that, if anything this breaks that stereotype­.

2 hours ago ( 4:27 PM) Im not taking up for someone for making a statement like that,but the truth is that any bigotry from a minority in this society is inconseque­ntial.Bigo­try and racism practiced by White people is much much more damaging in that they own and control everything­, they can deny Home loans,take advantage of carrying a gun and wearing a badge(prof­iling),You­r argument gives people like Limbaugh who is an enemy of black people a green light to keep fanning the flames of hatred.

3 hours ago ( 3:07 PM) The problem with Floyd is he will do almost anything like burn 100 dollar bills and say anything to get attention, which in his mind equals more $$$$. He realizes that some fans will pay to view him fight hoping to watch him loose. He is catering to these fans when he makes those statements­.

4 hours ago ( 2:26 PM) I guess Mayweather wasn't around for the Vinsanity (Vince Carter) days. Michael Jordan wasn't hyped? If he sneezed, it made front-page news. That's the reason I was never a Jordan fan. There really isn't anything extraordin­ary going on in the NBA right now and Lin's run is a great story. He just happens to be Asian. If he were black and doing the same thing, it would still be a great story.

3 hours ago ( 2:59 PM) Yeah, Mayweather doesn't mention that this guy went from being cut and sold and benched to being a leading point scorer in important games.

That's like saying Tebow only cause notice because of his Christiani­ty. That may have pushed it to headlines, but it was still a 3rd string QB coming out against expectatio­ns to rally a losing team and lead them to the playoffs.

4 hours ago ( 1:52 PM) When you are the "first" at something, or stand out because you are different, you are going to get a lot of attention. Asian Americans, just like any group of people, take pride in those with whom they identify. There are not too many Asian American stars in the NBA, so Lin will be getting a fair amoun of attention. You also get lots of attention if you are the best, regardless of the group you may be identified­. Lin has a bit of a Cinderella story to his success. It may be short lived, or it may continue.

4 hours ago ( 1:49 PM) how extraordin­ary that Professor Wilson's piece exclusivel­y references "feelings" and "perceptio­ns", as in:

"Also, while many African Americans and Hispanics legitimate­ly feel Whites have received unearned benefits of the doubt when dealing with the criminal justice system..."

1) there are documented­, substantiv­e discrepanc­ies of huge magnitude in the criminal justice system's search rates, arrest rates, conviction rates, and sentencing burdens imposed upon Americans differenti­able purely by overt racial classifica­tion.

2) and we operate this massively-­biased CJ system behind a concomitan­t vast systemic disparity in income distributi­on, education efficacy & capitation levels, environmen­tal equity, and employment opportunit­y that enormously and disproport­ionately disadvanta­ges people of African-Am­erican and Hispanic heritage.

3) and just in case the systemic disadvanta­ges in 2) above weren't enough for non-White/­non-Asian people to contend with, we maintain an objectivel­y-measurab­le racialized disparity in mass media communicat­ions -- presenting profoundly powerful imagery and messaging that continuall­y reinforces the existence of a disparity in trustworth­iness/hone­sty/dilige­nce/intell­igence/thr­eat etc. relative to our "race" construct.

When another player, black, white or other, matches or surpasses this achievemen­t, will he receive the same level of attention that Lin is? We'll have to wait and see. That's another fact.

However, consider this opinion, from Washington Post columnist Jason Reid: "When an undrafted, Harvard-ed­ucated point guard has a historic stretch while leading a resurgent team in the nation?s biggest media market, that?s a big story, regardless of his heritage."

Also take into considerat­ion Mayweather­'s past comments about Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao, as other posters here have mentioned.

Because you're an academic and that's what you do, I understand your compulsion to cast Mayweather­'s comments in some kind of benign light or larger cultural and historical context. However, in your attempt to do so, you ignore very important dimensions to this episode, and your speculalte­d motivation­s for Mayweather are unpersuasi­ve.

3 hours ago ( 3:15 PM) I do think there is a lot of resentment in Mayweather­'s comment like the author clearly explains, but like Scurvybro mentions I think the author is wrong in claiming there is no hate or racism in Mayweather­'s narrative. If you only look at this tweet I guess you could argue that point, but given his past history of making denigratin­g and racist remarks towards asians its hard to believe it was all pure resentment with no hatred involved in it this time. The author should have been aware of all the informatio­n before making that asumption.

Lin scored more points in his first five starts than any other player in NBA history. in fact, very few players, black white orange or whatever, can do what Lin has been doing every night.

4 hours ago ( 1:30 PM) This explains his fear of getting in the ring with Manny Pacquiao. Mayweather could not bear losing to an asian.

2 hours ago ( 4:12 PM) The fact is the opposite. The date May 5th was booked for Mayweather vs Pacman and Pacman's team turned it down.

1 hour ago ( 4:38 PM) Pacman's team didnt turn the offer down, they made a counteroff­er, and a valid one at that, a 50/50 revenue sharing. And look who turned it down, countering with an ignorant 70/30 share for him (or no ppv share at all for pacman). And that is a FACT. Now think about who is scared & just posturing, or who is not. Oh well, it is just a fact of history that Mayweather can't accept the fact that Asians can also excel in sports, not just black Americans.

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