For famous artists like BTS, any action they take in front of fans is noticed. And of course, even if it's just a random act, it can catch the attention of toxic individuals who then exaggerate and turn it into soмєтнing negative about the artist.
V was recently a victim of these toxic individuals after they accused him of disrespecting the culture of another race during a broadcast on Weverse Live. Immediately, fans realized that this was not a controversial issue but someone was deliberately blaming V and making his actions look ugly.
Below is the situation that is happening and ARMYs have presented many convincing evidence, proving that V's behavior was not wrong:
We can see that any behavior of BTS in general or V in particular is discussed with many different opinions. There are simple actions and words that can also cause controversy because toxic individuals try to turn it into a saying or action with a negative meaning.
Recently, V fell into the situation of becoming a "hot potato" on SNS after many people criticized that his behavior was culturally disrespectful. Specifically, V recently went live on Weverse to connect with ARMY after leaving from αмєяι¢αn rapper and singer Lil Uzi Vert's after-party. Lil Uzi Vert held an After Party after his performance at One Universe Festival 2023 in Seoul to pay tribute to artists, celebrities as well as some fans, V and RM being some of them.
V shared about the wonderful experiences he had during Lil Uzi Vert's event. Not only that, he and RM also chatted humorously after soaking up a bit of alcohol from this fun party. But the story didn't stop there until V showed ARMYs a special gift.
It was a red durag hanging from the gym equipment behind him. He told ARMYs: "It’s this. It’s a 두건 (doogun, an umbrella term for all bandanas). I got it as a gift". And then he tried it on his head for his fans as he said it was given to him.
Since that action, V subsequently received dozens of criticisms and accusations that he was showing cultural disrespect towards black people. It is known that the durag was created as a protective tool for Black men to protect textured hair from damage and to maintain hairstyles and curl patterns. The history of the durag can be traced back to the head wraps worn by Black αмєяι¢αn slaves, which society viewed as “signs of poverty and subordination.”
Created as a hair tool for protection, the durag began to be used as an accessory in the 1990s within the Black community as a form of empowerment and reclamation of the durag as a symbol of pride. With its deep historical and cultural significance in the Black community, many people feel that a non-Black person like V wearing a durag is an act of cultural appropriation or disrespect.
On the contrary, ARMYs were quick to point out that those attacking V have a misconception about this cultural item. Fans say that a durag can “be worn by anyone” and that V does not wear it with ill intentions so it cannot be said to be culturally disrespectful.
Meanwhile, V was discussing Lil Uzi Vert's afterparty before showing off the gift in front of the camera, so many people also believed that it could be a gift from the αмєяι¢αn male rapper. Therefore, V trying it on his head also shows respect for the gift that was given rather than bad behavior like the accusations against him.
Most fans believe that V's behavior is natural and has no intention of violating anyone's culture. Accusing or attributing an evil meaning to his behavior are all intentional acts of sabotaging his reputation. ARMYs are currently trying to respond to comments directed at V to defend him:
- Fake army needs to stop making us black fans look like a ḅüŀŀÿ.Anyone can wear a Durag. I see it all the time around me & yes I'm black.Taehyung always promotes black artists. He even works with them.U all hate on this man for every little thing even his precious dog u all hate
- if anything I’m jealous he knows how to tie it better than me. I don’t think it’s that deep but I can’t speak for everyone ya know..
- I want Tae to know ges got black supporters from all over the world tol so the haters can rest.
- That really doesn’t matter tho. Black people get downplayed for wearing that. Y’all just saying this cause it’s Taehyung
- This is giving “I’m not ŕäċïṩẗ I have black friends”
- Imma need people to stop bugging about the d̾a̾m̾n ̾ Durag. It's like coming after a woman who wore a d̾a̾m̾n ̾ bonet. Also are yall gonna go after people wearing hanboks and saris that they received as gifts from the respective communities. Be f*cking for real. This is completely different from blackface and African αмєяι¢αn hairstyles like braiding and some styles of drєαds. Take a chill pill. Find soмєтнing else to be outraged about
- Again there's a difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation and people need to learn it. The confusion between the two leads to a lot of unnecessary bs. But then again this is the internet.
- Having no real respect for the culture and the people, mimicking our culture and fashion in every which way and excluding us from the conversation and it's another thing working with black artists, supporting black art, appreciating black culture for what it is and honoring gifts and showing respect for the people of that culture and recognizing that culture for what it is and wanting to show that. People love to be outraged and yes people have the right to feel what they feel but when your outrage is based on a misunderstanding
- From what I understand of the live, it was given as a gift to him and the giver is probably the one who taught V how to wear it. He only demonstrated how to wear it for the fans. It’s not disrespect if I gift an item from my heritage & teach the receiver how to properly use it.
- When it is Taehyung, the tendencies to defend him & silence the Antis do not exist, because his own fandom is acting as his Antis, agreeing with those who hate him. A piece of advice for them, please replace that 7 with 6 because you are just embarrαѕѕing. WE LOVE YOU TAEHYUNG!
