Jeremy Lin: Aftermath of ESPN Headline Shows Consequences of Poor Word Choice

Ever wonder who over at ESPN was responsible for concocting, approving and posting the offensive headline to the network's mobile apps regarding New York Knicks point guard Jeremy Lin?

You know, this one.

Well, it turns out that the culprit in question is a man named Anthony Federico, and he wants you to know that he's not a bad person.

He wants you to know that his mistake was an honest one, not one emanating from racial bias or disdain of any kind toward the Asian-American community.

He wants you to know that he's a good man with a good heart who does good things for people and lives his life with only good intentions.

And because I (like just about everyone who saw that headline) don't know Mr. Federico, I'm in no position to comment on him or judge him as a person.

That being said, it's clear that this man, who "wrote thousands and thousands and thousands of headlines in my five years at ESPN", made a grave mistake last week, one that cost him his career, whether you agree with the decision made by the Worldwide Leader in Sports or not.

Because ultimately, the one action he took, and the words associated with it in the given context, was foolish and ill-conceived and, given his level of experience and responsibility within the company, he should've known better.

First and foremost, he should've understood that context matters.

He should've understood that, while the phrase in question isn't racially charged in and of itself, placing it in such close proximity with Asians and Asian-Americans will inevitably tinge that particular choice of words with not-so-subtle racial overtones.

He should've understood better that, as an editor, it's his job to make sure that diction of any kind used in a headline must be carefully considered and vetted before being unleashed upon the world, where it's immediately visible and the reception of which is beyond the control of anyone in Bristol, Connecticut.

He should've understood that intent is irrelevant, especially in situations like this, because the author of any headline cedes control of the meaning and interpretation of his words to the masses once he clicks "publish."

There's no doubt that the pill given to Mr. Federico is, has been and will always be a difficult one to swallow, as it should be.

With the power to control what millions of people see and read comes the responsibility of quality and content control, to ensure that the content in question is enjoyable as a form of entertainment and avoids prejudiced faux-pas, as the one that came to the surface amidst Mr. Federico's lapse in judgement.

I can't possibly speak for anyone else, much less everyone else, with regard to this situation.

I can't speak on behalf of Asian-Americans because I, myself am not Asian-American.

But, I am a writer who churns out headlines every day, albeit ones not often seen by as many eyes as his.

I don't think Mr. Federico's a "bad person". I'm in no position whatsoever to judge the content of his character.

The content of his headline, though, was clearly in poor taste, regardless of what his original intent was. It was a mistake on his behalf, for which he is bearing the full brunt of the consequences.

We all make mistakes in our lives. Thing is, not everyone makes mistakes that impact or are seen by millions.

And when you make mistakes as far reaching in nature as Mr. Federico's, then the consequences of those actions are bound to be that much more dire. 

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