BTS Discuss Facing Discrimination, Condemn Racism in #StopAsianHate Statement

BTS shared a statement tonight in support of #StopAsianHate and #StopAAPIHate where they opened up about their experiences with racism and discrimination. The K-pop stars discussed their “grief and anger,” alluding to the Atlanta shootings earlier this month and the overall rise in violence against Asian Americans. “We stand against racial discrimination,” they wrote. “We condemn violence. You, I and we all have the right to be respected. We will stand together.” Read their full statement below.

“We recall moments when we faced discrimination as Asians,” they wrote. “We have endured expletives without reason and were mocked for the way we look. We were even asked why Asians spoke in English.” They continued:

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.