We were mocked for the way we looked, says BTS as it condemns anti-Asian racism

We all have the right to be respected, the K-pop group says in a statement.

30 Mar, 2021

K-pop superstar group BTS has condemned racism against Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in a statement saying they’ve experienced it themselves.

“We stand against racial discrimination,” BTS tweeted Tuesday in English and Korean. The band said their own painful encounters with racism included “expletives” and being “mocked for the way” they look.

BTS issued their statement after recent attacks against people with Asian heritage in the United States, which have risen during the coronavirus pandemic. A white gunman recently killed eight people, including six women of Asian descent, at Atlanta-area massage businesses.

“We cannot put into words the pain of becoming the subject of hatred and violence,” the band said in the statement, adding that their experiences made them feel powerless and chipped away at their self-esteem. In February, a German radio station drew ire when a host compared the band to the coronavirus.

The band said that although the discrimination they endured is “inconsequential” compared to “events that have occurred over the past few weeks,” they felt the need to speak out. “What’s happening right now cannot be disassociated from our identity as Asians,” the band said.

Many Asian Americans believe the Atlanta shootings were racially motivated. Police say they are still trying to determine a motive.

High-profile stars of Asian descent like Steven Yeun, Simon Liu and Sandra Oh have been vocal about spreading awareness of anti-Asian violence. “I am proud to be Asian! We belong here,” Oh shouted into a megaphone at a Stop Asian Hate rally in Pittsburgh last week.

BTS is one of the first South Korean bands to openly condemn anti-Asian racism. K-pop bands are known to be careful about maintaining personas created by their labels, which often muzzle stars on touchy subjects like race and mental health.

BTS has addressed racial discrimination and violence. In 2020, the band donated $1 million to the Black Lives Matter movement, which was quickly matched by their fans within a day, according to “One In An ARMY,” a global fundraising team made up of BTS fans.

Comments

It's me Mar 30, 2021 06:37pm

They were not mocked for being Asian, they were mocked for the changes they made to appear something they were not. Why can't they be slapped with cultural appropriation?

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Imran khan Mar 30, 2021 08:13pm

The west is increasingly getting intolerant and outright spiteful of non whites living amongst them. First they colonised and brutalised much of the non-white races on Earth and now they (non white races) are being discriminated against and attacked solely based on their colours/ideologies/beliefs etc. Time for the rest of the world to stand up for themselves and be made to heard by the so called progressive and secular nations. It cannot be business as usual , they must be made to pay for their crimes.

Browngirl Mar 30, 2021 10:00pm

People in the US seem to hate everyone who is not white or looks different. That is why Trump took nearly half of the vote.

Ghosd Mar 31, 2021 05:07am

@It good one

Ghosd Mar 31, 2021 05:13am

@Browngirl Partially true. Attack against Asians is because of their association with Covid. They are used to locking down people of other races. Situation just reversed here

Chris Roberts Mar 31, 2021 08:40am

@Imran khan Attacks against East Asians are occurring in many areas of the world, not just in the USA, where it is now widespread, and in some European countries countries, though to a lesser degree. In India, as per several online articles, people with East Asian features - many of whom are originally from the northeast of India and are Indian citizens - often find themselves the victims of racism, and are harassed by landlords and employers, and are physically attacked and spat on in the street. Sadly, the human condition is such that discrimination, be it because of religion, language, skin colour, race, etc. exists in some form or other just about everywhere.

Cuni Mar 31, 2021 02:32pm

They promote to use Melanin blocker use make up. Make face surgery. They are product from korean soft power promotion. They use now there influences on younger generation to bring only aisan in better position. They dont care about brown people or religious discrimination.