Earlier this week, the BTS ARMY have once again taken to social media to remind everyone that xenophobia and racism is not a laughing matter, accordingly resurfacing the #StopAsianHate movement.
This comes after radio hosts from a Dominican radio station, Esto no es radio made racist comments towards BTS. In one of their shows, the radio hosts described the South Korean group as a "Chinese version of the Backstreet Boys" despite consistently acknowledging that the GRAMMY-nominated act made Korean music and sang in Korean.
What is with radio hosts getting brave with their racism lately???
— Afrin Lamia🇧🇩 (@AfrinLamia5) August 17, 2021
WE DEMAND AN APOLOGY#EstoNoEsRadioXenofobico #StopAsianHate #XenophobiaIsNotHumor pic.twitter.com/nazkV9bgLR
Following the episode, which is currently up on the station's official YouTube channel, the radio hosts took to Twitter to continue to make – now, deleted – vilified remarks against the multi-awarded group and their fans. One of the show's hosts, Santiago Matias, even momentarily changed his Twitter profile photo to a picture of BTS member, SUGA.
BANDWAGON TV
The official Twitter account for Esto no es radio have also celebrated the attention they've been receiving over the last day and is launching a special episode to further talk about the topic. As of press time, the radio station has not issued a statement of apology.
Atentos mañana a las 7 por la 99.3 FM. Tocaremos un tema que ha dado mucho de que hablar a raíz de un video nuestro.
— Esto no es radio (@estonoesradioTW) August 18, 2021
Además, tendemos invitados de lujo.
Esperamos como siempre contar con el favor de su sintonía ❤️ #EstoNoEsRadio
BTS fans and Twitter users alike took to the social platform to criticise the actions of the Dominican station, reinstating that xenophobia and racial discrimination are not meant to be taken lightly using the hashtag: #XenophobiaIsNotHumor.
Our idols teach us to always love and respect EVERYONE.
— (IA)NamMeemJin⁷🧈ᴾᵀᴰ, BTS with the most hot 100 #1 (@jinniemeem99) August 17, 2021
Hope people will stop with racist remarks one day. Now, we can't teach grown-up people to act decent, can we?
WE DEMAND AN APOLOGY#XenophobiaIsNotHumor#EstoNoEsRadioXenofobico#StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/uiI8NQ9xUT
I may not an army but this is so wrong, please apologize now to the boys they don’t deserve to be treated this way. It’s not to late too apologize.... #XenophobiaIsNotHumor #StopAsianHate #EstoNoEsRadioXenofobico pic.twitter.com/dozkfEhRKI
— 𝗟𝘆𝗻𝗻✨💙 (@Lynnnn1228) August 17, 2021
With the proliferation of Asian music in the West, Asian acts such as BTS have been frequent victims of racial discrimination. In the past year alone, the group have also been subject to racist remarks from Bavarian radio station Bayern 3, and Chilean TV show Mi Barrio. American collectible company Topps were also under fire earlier this year for negatively depicting BTS as bruised and beaten in a recent card collection.
Amidst these incidents, the Stop Asian Hate movement was amplified after an increase in racially motivated hate crimes in the US, namely the death of six Asian women in Atlanta in March. Several musicians, including BTS, have spoken up on the matter and shared ways to support the Asian community around the world.
Musicians speak out and unite together to #StopAsianHate
"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," reads BTS' earlier statement, following the Atlanta attacks.
— 방탄소년단 (@BTS_twt) March 30, 2021
"Our own experiences are inconsequential compared to the events that have occurred 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. 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."
BTS have recently renewed their LOVE MYSELF campaign with UNICEF, which aims to end violence and promote self-love. Since its launch in 2017, the campaign has raised over USD 3 million for UNICEF's global efforts.
The group are also slated to speak this year's upcoming United Nations General Assembly where they will be delivering a speech of hope and encouragement to people all over the world as part of their ongoing mission to promote self-acceptance and love amongst young people.
Check out BTS' LOVE MYSELF campaign below.
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