K-pop idol and Grammy-nominated group BTS spoke against the surge in hate crimes and called on people to respect different cultures.
BTS joined Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre at the White House press briefing on May 31. The White House earlier announced that BTS would be joining US President Joe “Biden to discuss Asian inclusion and representation and to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination which have become more prominent issues in recent years” and celebrate the Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month.
“President Biden and BTS will also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and BTS’ platform as youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world,” it added.
At the White House press briefing, each member of BTS spoke about stopping hate crimes including Asian-American hate crimes, equality and embracing different cultures from around the world.
"It is a great honor to be invited to the White House today to discuss the important issues of anti-Asian hate crimes, Asian inclusion and diversity. Lastly, we thank President Biden and the White House for giving this important opportunity to speak about the important causes, reminding ourselves of what we can do as artists," said RM.
According to the Stop AAPI Hate organization, in the US, “From March 19, 2020 to December 31, 2021, a total of 10,905 hate incidents against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) persons were reported to Stop AAPI Hate. Of the hate incidents reflected in this report, 4,632 occurred in 2020 (42.5%) and 6,273 occurred in 2021 (57.5%).”
By ethnicity, the report stated that “Chinese Americans continue to report the most hate incidents (42.8%) of all ethnic groups, followed by Korean (16.1%), P/Filipinx (8.9%), Japanese (8.2%), and Vietnamese Americans (8.0%).”
The report uses the term “P/Filipinx” instead of “Filipino” in order “to reflect our collaborating community organizations’ preference for ‘Pilipinx.’”
“Verbal harassment (63.0%) continues to make up the biggest share of total incidents reported. Physical assault (16.2%) comprises the second largest category of total reported incidents followed by the deliberate avoidance of AAPIs (16.1%),” Stop AAPI Hate stated.
It added, “Almost half (48.7%) of all hate incidents took place in public spaces — in public streets (31.2%), public transit (8.4%), and public parks (8.0%). Hate incidents reported by women make up 61.8% of all reports.”
“For the first time the report includes disaggregated data from non-binary AAPI respondents. It shows that they experience more deliberate avoidance or shunning (21.4%), being coughed at or spat on (13.9%), denial of service (8.3%) and online harassment (12.1%) than AAPI women and men. Civil rights violations — e.g., workplace discrimination, refusal of service, being barred from transportation, and housing-related discrimination — account for 11.5% of total incidents.”
At the White House press briefing, Jin said, “This is the last day of the AANHPI Heritage Month. We join the White House to stand with the AANHPI community and to celebrate.”
Jimin said, “We were devastated by the recent surge of hate crimes including Asian-American hate crimes. Let's put a stop on this and support the cause. We take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again.”
"We are here today, thanks to our Army, our fans, worldwide who have different nationalities and cultures, and use different languages. We are truly and always grateful,” said J-Hope.
Jungkook said, “We still feel surprised music created by a South Korean artist reaches so many people around the world, transcending languages and cultural barriers. We believe music is always an amazing and wonderful unifier of all things.”
According to Suga, “It's not wrong to be different. Equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences."
"Everyone has their own history. We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and every one as a valuable person,” said V.