BTS makes a point of speaking up. Image
BTS makes a point of speaking up.
The famed and successful Korean pop band BTS visited the White House to discuss anti-Asian prejudice as the number of instances targeting East Asians in the United States of America rose substantially due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Members of the band came to meet President Joe Biden and to make statements about how this scenario should never have transpired in the first place.
Karine Jean-Pierre, introduced the group by announcing that they are known as the famous, popular and Grammy-nominated group across the world but the talented young gentlemen also act as significant young ambassadors who believe in promoting a message of respect and positivity.
The leader of the band BTS, RM, informed the assembled media that they are fortunate that they were invited to the White House to address the issue of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion, and diversity with President Joe Biden. The singer went on to say that on the last day of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month they feel extremely thankful and honored for the chance to attend the White House and celebrate with the AANHPI community. RM also expressed gratitude to the reporters for the chance to speak up for such an important topic and remind everyone, including themselves, of what they can do as artists to effect change in society.
Suga, one of the members, speaking via an interpreter, told the reporter that it's okay to be different and that perhaps equality begins when we all open up and appreciate our differences. V contributed to the address by saying that everyone has a story to tell, and with today's invitation and conversation, they aim to go a step closer to appreciating and understanding each other as valued individuals.
Jimin said that they have been grieved by the recent spike in hate crimes, especially Asian American hate crimes, and that they would want the opportunity to speak out once again to put a stop to it and support the cause. J-Hope thanked their army (BTS' fans) and added that they have different nationalities and cultures and use different languages, and they are truly and always grateful for them. Jungkook told the reporters that the group is always surprised to know that the South Korean music has managed to reach so many people throughout the world, spanning languages and cultural borders. The singer went on to say that they personally feel music has always been an incredible unifier of all things.
The band avoided answering reporters' questions and proceeded to the Oval Office, where they met with President Joe Biden and addressed the need of coming together in solidarity, Asian inclusion and representation, and combating anti-Asian hate crimes and prejudice.
This is not the first time BTS has spoken for the Asian community. Back in 2021, the band spoke against anti-Asian hate crimes, which included them standing up against the shooting at three spas in the Atlanta, Georgia area. The group claimed in a statement at the time that they recollect occasions when they encountered prejudice as Asians, including receiving expletives without cause and being teased by others because of their appearance. The band went on to say that they were questioned if Asians spoke English at one point in the statement and that they couldn't express how much it hurts them to be the target of hatred and violence for such a cause.
The official video of the BTS explaining why they were visiting the White House was aired live on the White House's YouTube Channel, attracting more than 310,000 simultaneous viewers, and the views returned to normal as soon as the group left. According to a White House official, the group will also film "digital material" for White House social media outlets. The group's visit comes just days after President Joe Biden's first journey to Asia as President, which included a three-day stop in Seoul and conversations with newly elected South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.
President Joe Biden and the K-Pop group, BTS will discuss the value of diversity and inclusion, along with BTS' platform as young ambassadors who transmit a message of hope and happiness throughout the world, according to the White House.The International Federation of the Phonographic Business (IFPI), a trade organization for the music industry, stated in February that the band had beaten Taylor Swift, Drake, and Adele to become the world's best-selling musicians for the second year in a row.
