Systematic racism is rampant on a global scale and implicit bias (subconscious biases that shape how nearly everyone perceives people of different racial and ethnic backgrounds) is far, far worse. We’ve seen the rise of the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and since then, more and more conversations around racism, cultural appropriation and what impact this has on individual lives, have finally received the long-overdue media attention. Through these conversations, we’re realising that there are people who remain blissfully unaware of the dangers of racism and of how they are, whether consciously or not, complicit in allowing racism to fester. Ever since the pandemic hit, the rise in hate crimes against Asians, particularly against Asians in America and other Western countries, has been horrific and is a shameful reflection of how ugly humanity can get.
The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University found that hate crimes against Asian Americans spiked 149% between 2019 and 2020 while a separate group, Stop AAPI Hate, catalogued nearly 3,800 incidents – not limited to crimes – during the first year of the pandemic (AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander). These numbers are the best available data as of now to show the trend of an increase in anti-Asian hate during the pandemic. But even these numbers are likely a small fraction of actual incidents, including crimes.
Now, when Grammy-nominated South Korean K-Pop group BTS (Bangtan Boys) (consisting of members RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook) released a powerful statement condemning racism, they also highlighted how they (a record-breaking, iconic force to be reckoned with in the music industry) had also been subjected to racial abuse. The group recounted their personal experience, sharing:
“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. We cannot put into words the pain of becoming the subject of hatred and violence for such a reason,”
In releasing the statement, the three-time Guinness World Record holders have highlighted how: if status, power and exposure does not exempt you from racism, xenophobia or discrimination, what about those who aren’t as blessed with the support that the boys have? Thankfully, the boys of BTS have always and continue to use the status, power and exposure that they have to ensure that the world and their global fanbase, aptly known as ARMY’s, are aware that racism is a problem and that there has to be an end to such discriminatory behaviour. And when a group with as much influence as BTS has spoken up about social issues, you know the world is going to tune in. Just minutes after BTS released the statement on their Twitter account, news outlets (both international and local) were quick to devote articles to the group’s letter:
“BTS Share Experiences of Racism, Lend Their Support to #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate”
“BTS Makes a Powerful Call To Fight Anti-Asian Racism: ‘We will stand together”
“BTS sends out #StopAsianHate message while recounting ‘painful’ experiences of racism”
What does it matter that BTS has spoken up about the issue surrounding anti-Asian hate crimes? Because it calls together one of the most organised and dedicated fan bases in the world. The BTS ARMY rallied around the group and propelled the band to win the fan-voted ‘Top Social Artist’ (with more than 300 million votes) at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards: making them the first K-pop group to ever be nominated for and to win a BBMA. Their win ended Justin Bieber’s six-year streak in the category and beat major players like Ariana Grande, Shawn Mendes and Selena Gomez. And while the fandom supports the group’s musical growth, they also work to support the group’s beliefs.
ARMY’s are often involved in many charity-focused projects, modelled after BTS’ humanitarian efforts. They even have a group known as the ‘OIAA’ (short for One In An ARMY), a fan collective of volunteers around the globe that encourage and organise microdonations for nonprofit organizations.
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Its first campaign, launched in April 2018 was in partnership with the nonprofit Medical Teams International and it helped bring medical care to Syrians. Last year, during the Black Lives Matter movement, BTS donated $1 million to the cause that aimed to provide justice, healing and freedom to Black lives across the globe. In support of their beloved artists, the BTS’ fandom matched their donation, arriving at a whopping total of $2 million in donations to the cause. During their “Love Myself” campaign, launched in partnership with UNICEF, the boys both promoted the belief that “true love first begins with loving myself” and worked on UNICEF’s #ENDviolence program to protect children and young people all over the world from violence. As a result of the campaign, fans from all over the world found solace in their message, helping them overcome their hardships in life and to start loving themselves.
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With BTS doing what they do best – sincerely and honestly having conversations about social topics, topics that matter (mental health, anxiety, pressure, self-love) – we can expect a shift in the movement towards ending racism. And in the same way that BTS uses their lyrics and music to convey their messages, we can choose to empower through understanding. Taking a page from BTS’ book, it is important to have an honest and open conversation about how we can tackle racism. Calling out racial attitudes and commentary (like in the use of racial slurs or teachings like, “Malays are lazy/Chinese are greedy/Indians overindulge in drink,”), rejecting stereotypes and understanding what it means to be a racist or exhibit racist behaviour are all important, important steps towards a more cohesive, safe environment for all. Or, for a start, do as RM advises:
“If you can’t respect, don’t even open your mouth,”
*Cover image credits: @bts.bighitofficial
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