K-Pop Group BTS Meets with Biden to Discuss Asian Inclusion, Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

(CNSNews.com) – Korean Pop (K-Pop) group BTS met with President Joe Biden at the White House on Tuesday to discuss the need to “come together in solidarity, Asian inclusion and representation, and addressing anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination.”

BTS stands for Bangtan Sonyeondan/Beyond the Scene. Their visit came on the final day of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Prior to meeting with Biden, they stopped by the White House briefing room to deliver a message in English and Korean.

“While many of you may know BTS as Grammy-nominated international icons, they also play an important role as youth ambassadors, promoting a message of respect and positivity,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said.

“As many of you know, the President has led a historic whole-of-government approach to combat racism, xenophobia, and tolerance [sic] — intolerance facing AANHPI communities, beginning his first week in office when he issued a presidential memorandum leveraging the power of the federal government to stand against this hate,” she added.

“The president also signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law; signed an executive order to reestablish the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders; and funded critical research to prevent and address xenophobia against AA and NHPI communities,” Jean-Pierre said.

Rapper RM delivered his remarks in English, while the rest of the group spoke in Korean, aided by an interpreter.

“Thank you, Karine, for your kind words, and hi, we’re BTS, and 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,” RM said.

“And lastly, we thank President Biden and the White House for giving this important opportunity to speak about the important causes, remind ourselves of what we can do as artists,” he said.

INTERPRETER:  I will provide an interpretation in Korean and English. (Speaks Korean.) 

Jin said: Today 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. To put a stop on this and support the cause, we’d like to take this opportunity to voice ourselves once again.

J-Hope said: 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. 

Jungkook said: We still feel surprised that music created by South Korean artists 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. 

Suga said: It’s not wrong to be different.  I think equality begins when we open up and embrace all of our differences. 

V said: Everyone has their own history.  We hope today is one step forward to respecting and understanding each and every one as a valuable person. 

From CNSNews - READ ORIGINAL

Some media, including videos, may only be available to view at the original.