
BTS have released a powerful message as part of the #StopAsianHate movement, which gained huge momentum after six Asian women were killed in shootings in Atlanta earlier this month.
Posting a letter to Twitter alongside the hashtag, as well as the hashtag #stopAAPIhate, the K-pop group said they felt “grief and anger” about what happened, adding: “What our voice must convey is clear. We stand against racial discrimination. We condemn violence.”
The group described their experiences as “inconsequential” compared to the events of the past few weeks, but said such incidents “chip away” at their self esteem.
“We recall moments when we faced discrimination as Asians,” the statement said. “We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look. We were even asked why Asians spoke in English.”
The letter has been widely shared by their millions of followers, who have thanked them for using their influence to spread awareness.
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You can read the group’s letter in full here:
#StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate https://t.co/mOmttkOpOt— 방탄소년단 (@방탄소년단) 1617068892
The letter has also received responses from across the world, including from British public figures such as Labour MP Zarah Sultana.
@BTS_twt It is incredibly brave of you to speak up about your own experiences of racism & to use your platform to c… https://t.co/gOuJ3EGr37— Zarah Sultana MP (@Zarah Sultana MP) 1617072703
People have been looking for ways to help and be in solidarity with Asian and Asian American communities, after a white gunman attacked three massage parlors in Georgia, killing eight people, including six women of Asian descent.
The incident stirred considerable outrage and fear in the Asian-American community, which has already been subjected to a rise in pandemic-fueled attacks, in part triggered by rhetoric from former US President Donald Trump who repeatedly referred to coronavirus as “China virus”.
“I think the reason why people are feeling so hopeless is because Asian Americans have been ringing the bell on this issue for so long... We’ve been raising the red flag,” Aisha Yaqoob Mahmood, executive director of the Atlanta-based Asian American Advocacy Fund, told the Associated Press at the time.
There was also outrage that the 21-year-old suspect, who has been charged with eight counts of murder, was not immediately charged with a hate crime. Police said he told them the attack was not racially motivated, and he claimed that he targeted the spas because of a “sex addiction”. Investigators said they had not ruled out bias as a motivating factor.
The immediate aftermath of the attacks also created a wave of online support, with the hashtag #StopAsianHate trending on Twitter shortly afterwards.
There are voices on here talking about this way better than I am, but: We absolutely need to talk about how Asian… https://t.co/E2ZeNxwktb— Celeste P. (@Celeste P.) 1615952996
As the facts of the #Atlanta tragedy continue to emerge, it’s important that we do NOT rule out racism.— Stop AAPI Hate (@Stop AAPI Hate) 1616007371
Police also came in for widespread criticism after the sheriff’s office spokesman Captain Jay Baker said the suspect was “having a bad day”.
everyone's talking about the onion, but reductress is on point too https://t.co/ElrRllaeX3— beeb (@beeb) 1616019498
It's not just some guy's "really bad day". It's anti-Asian racism & a hate crime committed by a terrorist. It's t… https://t.co/BIU64k8k4n— Dr. Jennifer Kwan (@Dr. Jennifer Kwan) 1616019282
Along with the hashtag, those who had the energy gave advice and share resources on ways people can help a community that has suffered skyrocketing harassment in the US.
eight people were killed including 6 asian women. yet the officer blames it on the shooter having a bad day? please… https://t.co/D9VpV4FyFz— nel (@nel) 1616018613
Nearly 3,800 incidents of anti-Asian hate, discrimination or attacks have occurred from March 2020 through February 2021, according to Stop AAPI Hate – a group that tracks acts of racism, discrimination and xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the US.
Today, we will have a hearing in @HouseJudiciary on anti-Asian hate. Today, I say these names: Delaina Ashely Ya… https://t.co/3WRV9SM3UX— Rep. Pramila Jayapal (@Rep. Pramila Jayapal) 1616070788
People also asked how they could help in the battle against racism. While new anti-hate crime legislation is set to be introduced in congress, here are some ways that have been recommended to help #StopAsianHateCrimes.
Where to donate:
Many people online have suggested to donate money to groups already doing important anti-racist, anti-xenophobic work, such as Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Hate Is A Virus, and many more here.
Please donate to the orgs in this thread if you can. #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate #StopAsianHateCrimes… https://t.co/UDS1o3am4P— Brennan Lee Mulligan (@Brennan Lee Mulligan) 1616028867
New York Magazine has also shared a list of over 60 ways you can donate to Asian communities.
Some recommended actions:
- Reach out to your Asian friends and colleagues – but don't ask them to educate you
It is never too late to read up on current affairs around the world, and we can all take the simple first step by e… https://t.co/UWx6RFU6ZN— Always For Gyeom (@Always For Gyeom) 1616067065
- Speak up when you hear microaggressions, and call out misinformation or jokes that are racist.
- Just listen: “im begging you to listen to the asian community right now. there has been so many attacks against our community that have literally gone unnoticed by the media and the country,” one person wrote on Twitter, along with a helpfully long list of resources.
im begging you to listen to the asian community right now. there has been so many attacks against our community tha… https://t.co/AuRvdkiCvp— alli*:・ (@alli*:・) 1615992194
- Call or e-mail your legislators and ask what they are doing for the Asian community.
3. Call your local legislators, ask them what they are doing and what they plan to do to help the asian community.— giana iraná (@giana iraná) 1615965437
Remember, research and read before you share:
While it is good to amplify information, many people share social posts on platforms like Instagram and Twitter without looking into it. Make sure the posts your sharing are rooted in facts, or you could be spreading misinformation.
What not to do:
No one is interested in the ‘yellow square’ Instagram post; as one person wrote on Twitter, “remember; don’t post a yellow square in faux-solidarity”. Others also suggested being sure to be inclusive, and to not only support those who are East Asian.
More policing and carceral solutions are also not the right move, many people online said.
Responses to violence against Asians + Asian Americans can’t be to create a police state in Chinatown. There are n… https://t.co/cWYGxk5tsJ— connie wun, phd (@connie wun, phd) 1612904670
As Connie Wu pointed out last week, “There are now private security guards, vigilantes, and mobile police stations in our neighborhood. That doesn’t make us safe. Our communities working in solidarity keep us safe”.
What to do if you see anti-Asian racism
Hollaback!, an organization working to end harassment, is offering free bystander intervention training geared to aiding the Asian and Asian American communities. Sign up!
We are committed to supporting the culture change that is necessary to bring this hatred to an end. We are experien… https://t.co/jGr0rBqCTL— Hollaback! (@Hollaback!) 1616007142
Stop AAPI Hate recommends these five safety steps if you are a witness to anti-Asian racism:
- Take action. Go to the targeted person and offer support.
- Actively listen. Before you do anything, ask – and then respect the targeted person's response. If need be, keep an eye on the situation.
- Ignore attacker. Try using your voice, body language or distractions to de-escalate the situation (though use your judgment).
- Accompany. Ask the targeted person to leave with you if whatever is going on escalates.
- Offer emotional support. Find out how the targeted person is feeling and help them determine what to do next.
All in all, people suggest the simple steps of listening, learning, and amplifying others, rather than sharing a million social media posts without thinking.