BTS White House & US President Biden Visit: What’s the BIG Issue?

The American White House has issued an official statement & press release, revealing BTS to visit President Biden to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month. However, apparently, a big issue appeared regarding this BTS White House visit. Check out the following details and information.

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White House Press Release & Statement: BTS to Visit US President Biden – What’s the Issue?

Just when we think that BTS has reached the top of their career and achievement, they come up with yet another huge surprise with an official statement and invitation to visit US President Biden at the White House. However, there is a big issue regarding this BTS visit at the White House.

On May 26 local time, the US White House issued a press release containing an official statement about BTS visit to join US President Biden on May 31.

“On Tuesday, May 31^{^st}, global Kpop phenomenon and Grammy-nominated musical group from the Republic of Korea, BTS, will join President Biden. “
White House Press Release.

BTS to visit US President Biden at the White House. | TIME

Why is BTS visiting the White House?

Further in the press release, the American White House explained BTS visit to the white house was regarding the AANHPI Heritage month.

In celebration of the AANHPI Heritage month, BTS and President Biden will discuss the inclusion and representation of Asians. In addition, BTS will also join the US president in addressing crimes and discrimination involving Asian hate, following the US COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in May 2021.

At the same time, both BTS and President Biden will further talk about how crucial BTS’ role as a youth ambassador is in spreading the message of hope and positivity regarding diversity and inclusion.

BTS to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month with US President Biden at the White House. | Twitter

A Big Issue Emerged About the Purpose of BTS Visit

Unfortunately, a big issue appeared following the White House press release about BTS visiting US President Biden to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month.

While the public believes that it is terrific to have BTS visiting the White House, its correlation with AANHPI Heritage month is deemed a big issue.

The rising issue of Asian-hate crimes and discrimination has indeed been eating away at Asian descendants living in America and globally. However, some people believe that having BTS and President Biden ONLY, without any presence of an AANHPI representative, is slightly irrelevant.

Why? Because the people believe that discussions regarding Asian-hate crimes and AANHPI Heritage Month should include the AANHPI descendants physically living in America and experiencing the kind of severe hatred and discrimination in person, and BTS is not one of them.

BTS is South Korean group, consisting of no Asian-American descendants, and they are all living in South Korea. No BTS member is currently living in the United States and experiencing all the Asian-hate crimes firsthand. That is why it has become quite a big issue for some netizens.

A Korean group and a white American talking about anti-Asian hate in the US is, no joke intended, tone deaf. Where are the AAPI activists or artists in the dialogue about their community? BTS is great and all, but they aren’t really facing the same issues as Asian Americans.
— Dr Press Secretary (@terplinz) May 26, 2022

Again, I love BTS with my HEART AND SOUL… but they aren’t AAPI. They’re Korean from Korea. I love that they’re coming cuz I love them so much & Airport looks!

But this makes it look like the President doesn’t understand the diaspora of Asian AMERICANS. https://t.co/A1r952nYyQ
— Laura ลอร’า 劳拉 (@lsirikul) May 26, 2022

Yes they have experienced hate but they have also enabled global bullying.

Their country openly discriminates against foreigners and the lgbtq+. Women are afraid all the time and bullying is out of control. So why dont they use their platform there??? Make Korea safe again!
— Nat (@T22Nat) May 26, 2022

They can go home. Where they don’t have to worry about getting beaten or pushed off a subway platform or murdered by a stranger for looking different. This IS our home. We don’t have that choice. If you can’t take 2 secs to stop and examine what you’re arguing, that’s a problem.
— Christina Strain (@christinastrain) May 26, 2022

Fans Argued that BTS is Experiencing the Aftermath of Asian-Hate Crimes – Speaking as Youth Representative

However, some fans believe that BTS still has the right to speak about the Asian-hate issue because they have experienced the aftermath as well. After all, BTS has also received discriminatory treatment because they are an Asian music group.

At the same time, fans also stated that the US had held a different event for the AANHPI representatives to discuss the same issue. Therefore, this BTS visit to the White House means that President Biden plans to have an entirely different discussion with BTS as a Youth representative and their efforts to spread positivity and optimism regarding the rising problem of Asian-hate crimes and discrimination.

people are forgetting that bts has also experienced racism and racial barriers in the US. yes, they didn’t grow up here, but they are a major voice in the asian community and have firsthand experience with racism. also the white house did host asian americans this month as well
— tash ⁷?PROOF? (@emokkook) May 26, 2022

the way the white house has already spoken to asian american activists so idk why people are up in arms that bts are also given a chance to speak…..besides the fact that they DO experience racism in the u.s theyre also the most popular asian group in america so why not https://t.co/ZTOK7bOXzc
— pauline⁷ (@namjintellect) May 26, 2022

didn’t the White House already host a few Asians at the White House for discussing the hate Asians experience? That didn’t get these people talking? So why now? Why when it’s BTS? Why when it’s the people and the artist that will DEFINITELY draw attention to this issue?
— Y✘NI⁷ ia for finals ? (@GlorySoob) May 26, 2022

Official Press Release from The American White House

Finally, looking at the official statement from US White House press release, it is true that BTS and President Biden will be having a discussion about Asian-hate crimes.

However, they will talk about not only the crime itself but also the way BTS will use their reputation as the Youth representative to spread more hope and positivity around the globe regarding Asian-hate issues and discrimination.

White House Press Release and Official Statement about BTS visit. | Twitter

BTS Leader Posted Official Statement About Their Visit

Meanwhile, BTS great leader Kim Namjoon (RM) shared his official statement on BTS fan community. He thanked BTS fans because they were the ones who could make the White House visit possible, and presented the visit to them.

“As I’m living, all sorts of things are happening. Since we’re going for a good purpose, we will have a good visit.
When I went on a vacation to the United States before, I only saw the White House from afar. This time, I get to go inside.
Since we’re going thanks to you all, this visit is also yours.”
BTS Leader, Kim Namjoon (RM).

BTS great leader Kim Namjoon (RM) posted official statement about their White House visit. | Twitter

So, what do you think about this issue revolving around BTS visit to US President Biden at the White House? After all, we are all tremendously excited about how BTS will bravely voice their thoughts and concerns revolving around Asian hate crimes and discrimination and how they will once again inspire the youth to face the issue.

At last, feel free to express your thoughts in the comment and stay with Kpoppost Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter for more BTS updates.

In the meantime, let’s once again watch BTS’ “Permission to Dance” performance at the UN General Assembly.