BTS Shares Their Own Experiences With Racism

K-pop phenoms BTS has added their voices to the #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate movements, calling for an end to racial discrimination.

As Dazed reported, protests against anti-Asian racism sprung up after a mass shooting in Atlanta on March 16, 2021. Three Asian-run businesses were targeted during the deadly spree, which resulted in eight deaths. Six of those victims were Asian women, per the outlet. And according to the BBC, violent attacks on Asian Americans have spiked during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Other K-pop superstars have spoken up about the rise in hate crimes, like CL from 2NE1, Tablo from Epik High, and Korean-American musician Eric Nam. They all used their social media platforms to show their solidarity with the #StopAsianHate protests.

BTS, who recently performed at the Grammys in March 2021, released a statement on Twitter, which was presented in both Korean and English. The group sent their “deepest condolences” to those “who have lost their loved ones” in the rise of Asian American hate, adding that they felt “grief and anger.” They also touched on their own experiences with racism.

BTS revealed that they received racist insults for their appearance

BTS even shared their own experience with bigotry and discrimination.

“We recall moments when we faced discrimination as Asians,” the band tweeted. “We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look. We were even asked why Asians spoke in English.” They added that they “cannot put into words the pain of becoming the subject of hatred and violence for such a reason.”

The Korean group continued by insisting that the racism they experienced was “inconsequential compared to the events that have occurred over the past few weeks,” seemingly referring to the shooting in Atlanta. As they explained, however, their experiences “were enough to make us feel powerless and chip away our self-esteem.” 

“What is happening right now cannot be dissociated from our identity as Asians,” BTS concluded. “We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respect. We will stand together.”

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