BTS releases statement on surge in anti-Asian violence

Home > Entertainment > K-pop

print dictionary print

BTS releases statement on surge in anti-Asian violence

Boy band BTS [BIG HIT ENTERTAINMENT]

Boy band BTS [BIG HIT ENTERTAINMENT]

 
Boy band BTS uploaded a statement on the recent surge in anti-Asian violence on its official Twitter account on Tuesday.
 
“We send our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones,” the post reads, “We feel grief and anger.”
 
BTS shared moments when its members were personally affected by anti-Asian racism.  
 
“We recall moments when we faced discrimination as Asians. We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look. We were even asked why Asians spoke in English.”
 
The band said their personal experiences were “inconsequential” compared to the multitude of violence against people of Asian descent that has happened recently; especially the fatal shooting of eight women in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16 which took the lives of six Asian women.
 
BTS said these incidents were “enough to make us feel powerless and chip away [at] our self-esteem.”
 
“What is happening right now cannot be dissociated from our identity as Asians,” the band continued. “It required considerable time for us to discuss this carefully and we contemplated deeply on how we should voice our message. But what our voice must convey is clear. We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.”
 
The Twitter post also included hashtags #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate. AAPI is an abbreviation for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
 
Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, countries around the world have seen a rise in verbal and physical attacks against people of Asian descent. In response, numerous K-pop stars including Eric Nam, Jay Park and CL have spoken out against anti-Asian racism.
 
BY HALEY YANG   [yang.hyunjoo@joongang.co.kr]
 
 
 
Log in to Twitter or Facebook account to connect
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
help-image Social comment?
s
lock icon

To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.

Standards Board Policy (0/250자)