Unfortunately the rise of hate crimes against the AAPI community does not seem to be ebbing even after eight people, six of whom were Asian women, were murdered in Atlanta. Each day brings new shocking accounts of unspeakable cruelty against innocent citizens just trying to go about their lives, many of them elderly. The focus on these atrocities, however, has not let up either, and more people are speaking out against these crimes. One of the latest to speak in solidarity with those affected is supergroup BTS who wrote an emotional and beautiful letter of support. In their message, which they posted to Twitter in both Korean and English, they expressed their anger and shared some of their own #AsianHate experiences before signing off by standing with their fellow AAPI and condemning violence.
#StopAsianHate#StopAAPIHate pic.twitter.com/mOmttkOpOt
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) March 30, 2021
In case that text is hard to read, here is their full statement in English:
We send our deepest condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. We feel grief and anger.
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. Our own experiences are inconsequential compared to the events that have occurred over the past few weeks. But these 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. It required considerable time for us to discuss this carefully and we contemplated deeply on how we should voice our message.
But what our voice must convey is clear.
We stand against racial discrimination.
We condemn violence.
You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.
There is no question of the impact BTS has. Their platform is huge, and they’ve only ever used it for good, so I really took their line about carefully considering their message to heart. As they said, this matter hits home for them. They’ve felt these slurs and endured the insults themselves. I appreciate that BTS said what they’ve experienced is less than what is happening so as not to pull focus from the larger acts of violence. But I do think all acts of hate are connected. Just as John Oliver called out Meghan McCain, every person that spread misinformation has blood on their hands. We’re being shown how long these harmful AAPI stereotypes have been perpetuated in Hollywood. Kat Ahn just called out The Office’s Benihana Christmas episode and Jenna Fischer and Angela Kinsey agree with her. And this is what has passed for entertainment on some of the most popular shows and movies. So I’ll bet this was a painful statement for BTW to write and post and I applaud them for doing so. I’m sure it made a huge impact for everyone who read it.
We at CB are all deeply affected by what is happening to the AAPI community. We watched this (Warning: violent content) video Monday night in horror along with the rest of Twitter and had no idea how to respond properly. In solidarity with BTS’s statement, let us at CB also be clear:
We stand against racial discrimination.
We condemn violence.
We will stand together.
Getty Images, Twitter and Instagram
BTS has always condemned hate. Last year they donated 1 million to BLM and their army matched the donations. Even if you don’t like their music they stand for something good in this world.
CB thanks for standing against hate in all it’s forms.
BTS always seems wise beyond their years. They are such thoughtful and talented young men who really seem to feel the responsibility of their platform and use it for good.
True that. They recently re-launched their Love Yourself campaign as part of UNICEF’s ENDviolence youth manifesto, but I bet they didn’t expect the occurrence of this much violence and hate so soon after.
I love these boys. They aren’t scared about using their platform for good. They have been criticizing things not working in Korean society since day one and now they are taking a stand on the world stage. Thank you as well to all the Celebitchy writers for having such an excellent platform and for also taking a stand against all kind of discrimination ❤
I dont know if I’ve ever heard a BTS song but I really appreciate how they use their platform. These attacks are horrible and really scary. The fact that the victims are mostly elderly – because they’re viewed as easier to attack? I assume the people carrying out these attacks are cowards anyway, so that would make sense.
And thanks CB for standing up too.
The attacks have been targeting the elderly AND adult women. My girlfriend was assaulted twice last week alone in a very safe neighborhood of NYC, and she rarely leaves the house due to being immunocompromised. As an Asian woman living alone in a big city, I’m quite terrified that this has become the new norm.
Linabear: agreed. Our coworkers in America have been spat on and have had racial slurs hurled at them for the past year since coronavirus. It’s been extremely bad.
“The attacks have been targeting the elderly AND adult women.”
–Men of Asian descent have also been attacked. Three incidents reported of men being physically assaulted or shoved to the ground in the subways here in New York City. No one stepped in to help them, which is beyond sickening. One incident of two men receiving a letter from an NYC agency addressed to them using a racial slur: https://abc7ny.com/hateful-letter-racist-asian-hate-crime-manhattan/10450850/
All Asians — women, elderly, young, men — are coming under attack. And as an Asian woman, I am beyond angry, but also afraid, not for myself, but for my mother, my sister, my father, and my brother.
I am sorry your friend has been attacked and I am sorry you and she and all AAPI are living with this fear. Good people have the responsibility to stand united against this hatred and violence.
The attack on the most vulnerable is notable, but also notable is the responses that people have to violence against Asians.
When a terrorist act occurs in Georgia that targets Asian businesses and murders mostly Asian people, the news story painted a picture of a man having a bad day…a troubled soul who was trying to get away from sexual temptation. This said to me: it’s ok to kill Asian women…they’re too much of a sexual enticement.
When an Asian woman gets violently assaulted in nyc, security guards who witness this act physically close the doors and don’t intervene to help the poor woman. This said to me: it’s ok to do nothing. It’s just an Asian woman being beaten.
As a whole the responses towards violence against Asians is chilling. Asian lives aren’t disposable.
We are at a crucible, and it will take all of us to stand up. I am grateful to have found this web oasis.
The type of evil that resides in a person’s heart to attack a person because of their race is heartbreaking, and frankly scary. I always try to remember that being silent is being complicit. We all need to stand up against hate of any kind. Those that carelessly and thoughtlessly contribute hate towards a group of people or an individual should be ashamed of themselves. I hope more people stand up when they see Asians/people of Asian descent being attacked. Our society is stronger when we protect those that are more vulnerable.
Thanks to Celebitchy team for the continued support and spotlight on this issue. The latest case of the 65 year old lady on her way to church was utterly devastating to me. Re BTS – As an Asian American and also an Army, I am proud that they decided to make this statement when they were ready and use their platform (despite all the racist and terrible things they were subjected to and continued to receive). Their statement of support made global news and shine more light on this issue that sometimes doesn’t get coverage in appropriate ways. I am sure fellow Army around the world will continue to mobilize too.
The lack of respect towards life is astounding. There are no words to describe such a despicable act.
I don’t, and can’t, understand what’s going on in the US (and anywhere else where acts like this happen all too often). How evil, how rotten, do you have to be to hate someone so much your first impulse is to kill, hurt and destroy?
I am grateful every day for the way I was raised, for the education I was given, for the acts of service that were instilled in me from such a young age. I was taught compassion, empathy, and acceptance towards everyone, regardless their ethnicity, nationality, religion, gender and sexuality. I also know I’m not alone in the way I see things and coming to this site every day proves that. May we raise better human beings, and may we have the courage to step in and defend, protect and stand with those being targeted by hateful humans. Being silent and inactive is just another way of being complicit.
I couldn’t agree more.
Thank you for the powerful statement, Celebitchy. I stand with you.
We got to do better as human beings on this earth. The hate is not just in the USA, attacks of Asians and people of Asian descent is so insane. This Gen X’er had hoped for a better world and here we are 2021 to my disappointment racist, bigotry and hate crimes are on the rise. I’m done with being depressed about these issues. It’s fight time to fight harder against the low lives in our world.
To the Asian community, I’m sorry . I’m sorry for your trauma. I’m sorry for the fear you’re experiencing as a community.
That’s why I love BTS, not only they do great music but they always stand for injustice and spread only positive messages. (By the way, do you mind posting a picture with all of them in the article?)
What’s going on in the US is sickening, I can’t for the life of me understand why some people harbour so much hate and violence inside themselves. I just hope that, now that it has come ti light, something will be done about it (wishful thinking I know).
I was stupid to think having a decent administration would pull me out of perpetual sadness and depression. Why are people like this? Why is there so much hatred? I know I’m negative Nancy and my humor can be dark and dismissive, but at my core, I truly love. I never had a hateful bone in my body prior to 2016, and my hate now isn’t directed at anyone’s heritage my gods. It’s at the ongoing cruelty erupting from white Americans. And what, on the premise of patriotism? What effing year is this. The last five years have destroyed this nation, and it gave permission for closet racists and criminals to emerge from ignorant hell and wreak dangerous and abominable havoc on our soil. I’m so disgusted. I’m so low.
I feel similarly, during the last guy’s administration I was like in a constant state of vigilance, fueled by outrage and distracted by the daily onslaught of awful news. The second Biden took over, I was able to relax… But also the full realization of what has actually happened the last four years has hit me hard. I’m definitely in a low point right now, I’m glad we have common sense back in office but it’s going to take a huge huge effort from all Americans to dig ourselves out of this hole.
These attacks against Asian Americans are horrifying and I’m truly at a loss for how we got to such a point as a country. Everyone who makes racist statements publicly, or who encouraged/incited these violent acts, should be prosecuted and held responsible.
I’m so glad BTS decided to make a statement, their platform is huge and they have the ability to positively influence many people. I’m a big fan of not only their music, but also of their willingness to speak up against injustices and truly wanting to see a better world. They are a light of hope in this dark times
Thank you Celebitchy for standing with the Asian community. As a half Asian woman I am heart sick about the violence and hate.
And like many people of colour I know what it’s like to always brace myself for the world every time I step into a new environment. It is heartbreaking to me that things are getting worse.
Thank you to BTS for speaking up!
I’ve never clicked so fast on a story. BTS is amazing and I’m so glad you covered their statement.
Me too! I love BTS and they’ve provided so, much comfort for me this past year. My heart goes out to them. They have so much class and grace.
I love them so much. Please more BTS content!
I agree.
They are my favorite artist , in big part for all the good they do.
John Cena is obsessed with them and their love for people and life and they even inspired him to write a book like that is some powerful impact! Love BTS!
I’m late, but thank you for posting this.
BTS has gotten an extreme amount of hate.
In Korea they were part of a small company and got hate and were looked down on in entertainment.
Now, in Western countries, they get racist hate, but also “regular” hate from men who hate anything a lot of women like.
Despite this, they’ve always spoken out about issues and donated tomany causes.
I would also like to thank Celebitchy for making this statement. Thank you very much.
I appreciate your statement.
Yet, you wrote the group’s name wrong there. It’s BTS, not BTW.
And if we click on the BTS’ tag on this website, this is the only post linked.
They had to stand up on racism against themselves so you guys could use it to make a statement? When, before today, they seemed invisible to you all?
I’m sorry for my bad English, it’s not my main language, but all these “we stand against racism” posts look worthless when you don’t even consider them be worth coverage.
Perhaps you could take this chance to reflect who deserves your attention and if it’s really inclusive and diversified. Its a new age you guys, embrace it.
They write BTS several times, so I think it was just a typo. Might have been autocorrected as BTW stands for “by the way” too.
This website has talked about BTS before.
If you search for BTS in the search, you can find it. Having said that, I do hope we see more of them. They are huge not just in Asia or the US, but all around the world, and very influential when it comes to subjects that are covered often here: opening up about mental health, against discrimination, giving to charity, etc. In my circle of friends, they are more talked about than any Western celebrity I can think of.