BTS, the K-pop sensation, paid a visit to the White House on Tuesday to speak with President Joe Biden about the surge in hate crimes against Asian Americans, adding celebrity sass to an otherwise depressing and frightening matter.
On the final day of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, band members J-Hope, RM, Suga, Jungkook, V, Jin, and Jimin attended White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre for news conference. Since the onset of the coronavirus outbreak, Jimin claimed the band has been “devastated” by a “recent rise” of crime and hatred towards Asian Americans.
“Being different isn’t a bad thing, “Suga stated via a translator. “When we open ourselves and welcome all of our diversity, equality begins.” “Everyone has their own past,” V added.”
“We hope that today is a step forward in knowing and valuing each and every person as a wonderful individual,” V concluded.
The members of the band wore black suits and ties and took turns walking to the podium. They were given a tour of the White House before the briefing and then had a closed-door meeting with the president in the Oval Office. Officials from the Biden administration have met with Asian American groups in recent weeks for roundtable discussions and other gatherings to examine the violence.
BTS has gained international acclaim for its members’ self-produced music and activism, including a visit at the United Nations, since its debut in 2013. In 2020, the band topped the Billboard Hot 100 list three times and received nominations for Grammys, Billboard Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards.
BTS hopes to “fight prejudice, xenophobia, and intolerance” that Asian communities have suffered, according to Ms. Jean-Pierre. She pointed out that Mr. Biden signed legislation to fight COVID-19 hate crimes and issued an executive order reestablishing the White House effort on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders, as well as supporting studies to reduce prejudice against these groups.
