BTS had the perfect appearance at the White House and raised the voice of the young generation to not only the US president but also the world on issues related to race. They deserve respect and support from everyone.
However, the political complexity caused BTS to face some negative rhetoric from a few dissenting politicians. Andy Biggs is one of them!
Andy Biggs is an American attorney and conservative Republican politician representing Arizona's 5th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. He frequently shares negative posts regarding the current administration because President Joe Biden is a Democrat.
So when BTS was invited by President Joe Biden to be a guest at the White House on May 31, he was quick to target the boys. He began with a tweet that smelt of racism and national boundaries: "The Biden Admin still requires American citizens to take a COVID test before they enter the country. Yet, no such requirement exists for illegal aliens coming across our southern border. Their guidance doesn’t make sense and it never did."
However, as RM once said, “I’ve had to accept that – that everyone cannot love me. Because when there’s love, there’s hate. When there’s light, there’s dark.” Contrary to Andy Biggs' sarcasm, BTS received praise from the president himself and netizens.
They were the first and only Korean actors invited to the White House. Other iconic musical acts such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Whitney Houston have received White House invitations, but they are all American.
Even fewer artists were invited to the Oval Office. Michael Jackson, Bono of U2, and BTS are the only three. BTS is also the person who is praised by the President as: "good people talk about it and say how bad it is, it goes down. So thank you!"
But not stopping there, Andy Biggs seems to want to attract more attention when posting a picture of Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre with BTS and sharing a shady Twitter post about the group with obvious negative connotations. He wrote, "Wonder if they have any ideas on how to secure our border, lower inflation, lower gas prices, and get the baby formula back on our shelves".
However, what he received was only criticism and ridiculous comments from netizens. Netizens pointed out that he was basically asking a group of foreign men to solve US problems, all the problems American politicians should solve instead of asking others:
- Didn't you vote against everything you're asking for?
- Your job, Your Problem.
- Didn't you turn your back on everything you ask for, sir?
- why are american issues supposed to be their responsibility?? that’s like a welder coming in to talk for career day at school and the one of the kids asking them why the school system is flawed. make it make sense
- Such an unnecessary tweet. They make more difference than YOU, just by being there they impact so many people, and everything you are saying is YOUR JOB TO DO, not theirs, they are artists not politicians.
- No hair, no opinion
- It's not in their job description. They're already doing more than enough for their own country, their role in today's visit is to speak about their own struggles they're facing until now as Asians during the time working in US.
- they went there to speak on Asian hate crimes, and discrimination and not to discuss your country's gas prices bill.
So he technically asked other people to do his job and other politicians. Some have pointed out that despite being a performer and not a politician, BTS has done more than enough with its influence as more than an artist.
The members have been appointed by President Moon Jae In as “Special Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture.” Last year, the group spoke at the United Nations on several occasions, among them other prestigious events, they even make donations and make a positive impact on issues of racism.
Besides, netizens also pointed out that BTS's visit to the White House is to represent the voice of the younger generation. They have come to speak on other serious topics that affect not only Asians who regularly travel to the US for work, but also others because of the rise of hate and crimes against Asians in the US since COVID-19.
Many Asian-American idols have trouble with it when they have families there or even live there, such as GOT7's Eric Nam and Mark Tuan. BTS joins in solidarity with them and uses their platform for good. Also, that's the close of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
Not only that, but while Andy Biggs may have brought up some legitimate issues that need to be resolved in the United States, there are still many more that need to be addressed. But that is his responsibility as a politician, not the duty of so-called artists!