BTS Will Visit The White House to Discuss Anti-Asian Hate Crimes with Joe Biden
BTS will be closing out Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month with a bang. The South Korean boy band is headed to the White House on Tuesday, May 31, to discuss several topics, including anti-Asian hate crimes, with President Joe Biden.
The White House confirmed Tuesday's upcoming meeting in a statement obtained by Deadline. BTS will reportedly address "Asian inclusion" and "anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination, which have become more prominent issues in recent years."
According to Deadline, "President Biden has previously spoken about his commitment to combating the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes and signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in May 2021 to provide law enforcement with resources to identify, investigate, and report hate crimes and ensure that hate crimes information is more accessible to AA and NHPI communities." The statement added, "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."
BTS has been clear about its stance on anti-Asian violence. The group released a statement on Twitter after one shooter targeted three Georgia-based nail spas, claiming the lives of eight victims in 2021. The iconic group condemned anti-Asian hate crimes and opened up about experiencing anti-Asian discrimination.
"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 English," the group explained.
#StopAsianHate#StopAAPIHate pic.twitter.com/mOmttkOpOt
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) March 30, 2021
"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," the statement concluded.
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