Linsanity returns to Madison Square Garden
Issue #220 follows Jeremy Lin’s return to the Knicks spotlight as LA’s mayoral race, green card uncertainty and anti-Asian tensions escalate
Jeremy Lin is bringing Linsanity-era perspective to the Knicks’ NBA Finals run, breaking down what has separated New York from San Antonio through the first two games. His return to Madison Square Garden for Games 3 and 4 adds another layer to a postseason already steeped in Knicks history.
This issue also looks at Nithya Raman’s surge in the Los Angeles mayoral race, legal and business pushback against Trump’s green card crackdown and AAJA’s response to China expelling New York Times reporter Vivian Wang. We also cover anti-Asian boycott calls after a South Carolina acquittal, rising anti-Indian hostility in Texas and a Vietnamese waiter’s defense of an Indian tourist.
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Jeremy Lin brings Knicks history into Finals coverage
The Knicks’ Finals run is bringing Jeremy Lin back to Madison Square Garden in a new role. During ESPN’s coverage, Lin has focused on the details that do not always show up in the box score, including matchups, discipline and closing-time execution. More than a decade after Linsanity, his return to the Garden adds a familiar emotional thread to New York’s championship push.
Raman overtakes Pratt in LA mayoral race
Nithya Raman has moved into second place in Los Angeles’ mayoral primary, putting her on track for a possible runoff against Mayor Karen Bass. If she advances and wins, she would become the first Asian American mayor in city history. Late-arriving mail ballots helped fuel her surge.
Business lobbying, court ruling rattle Trump’s green card crackdown
Trump’s green card crackdown is facing new uncertainty after business groups pushed back and a federal judge struck down several related immigration policies. Asian immigrants remain among those most affected, with large numbers stuck in family-based backlogs. The administration has not issued formal guidance clarifying the policy.
AAJA backs expelled NYT reporter Vivian Wang
China’s expulsion of Vivian Wang has drawn criticism from AAJA and press freedom advocates. The case highlights shrinking space for foreign journalists in China and the risks of retaliatory restrictions. AAJA urged both Beijing and Washington to protect press access.
Anti-Indian hate escalates in North Texas city
A viral video showing a man tearing an Indian flag outside Frisco City Hall has become the latest flashpoint in months of anti-Indian rhetoric. The hostility comes as H-1B restrictions, tech layoffs and housing fallout strain the local South Asian community. Advocates warn similar pressure could spread to other high-H-1B regions.
South Carolina man’s acquittal sparks anti-Asian boycott calls
Rick Chow’s acquittal in the shooting death of 14-year-old Cyrus Carmack-Belton has sparked calls to boycott Asian-owned businesses. Many Asian and Black commentators are pushing back, arguing entire communities should not be blamed for one man’s actions. The case has reopened difficult conversations about Black-Asian relations.
China blocks Tiananmen cemetery visit
Families of Tiananmen victims say they were blocked from holding their annual graveside tribute in Beijing. The move marks a notable tightening around remembrance of the 1989 crackdown. Commemorations continue mainly outside mainland China.
Suu Kyi’s son condemns India for hosting Myanmar junta chief
India’s welcome of Myanmar’s military leader has drawn criticism from Suu Kyi’s son and human rights groups. The visit came as Min Aung Hlaing faces growing scrutiny over alleged crimes against humanity. New Delhi says engagement is necessary for security and trade.
Vietnamese waiter defends Indian tourist
A Vietnamese waiter defended an Indian tourist after a viral video showed her repeatedly asking whether a meal contained meat, fish or eggs. He said her questions were normal and understandable for a customer with dietary needs. The exchange sparked a wider debate about travel, trust and vegetarianism.
Why read Issue #220?
Experience doesn’t always get the same attention as opinion, but it often provides a clearer view of what’s actually happening. People who have spent years inside a system, community or institution tend to notice things that outsiders miss. That’s true in sports, but it’s also true in politics, journalism and public life more broadly.
Many of the stories in this issue involve that tension between firsthand experience and outside interpretation. The gap between the two can sometimes be where the most important part of the story lives.
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The Rebel Yellow is supported in part by funding from The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). Funders do not influence story selection, reporting, or editorial decisions. All editorial content is independently produced by The Rebel Yellow team.