One of the most prestigious award ceremonies in the United States took place on Sunday February 10th. One of the biggest headlines that weekend was how BTS, a Korean boy band, made history at the 2019 Grammys!
No, they did not win a Grammy (though it was their album cover and not their music that was actually nominated). They made headlines because they presented an award but not because of actual musical acknowledgment or a performance. The white mainstream media was losing its mind because there were seven Asians present. The audacity to equate attending a show (that maligns people of color) with representation is one of the dumbest and most disrespectful media narratives ever.
Image source: Pixabay
Their attendance was obviously driven by the fact that many well known artists decided to boycott the ceremony altogether, knowing that the winners that have chosen would spark an instant reaction — from Cardi B, an Afro-Latina woman, winning a Grammy before Nicki Minaj, a black woman, to Kacey Musgraves winning album of the year to Jennifer Lopez agreeing to perform a tribute to Motown.
But when will BTS truly be acknowledged? When will the Korean language reach the ears of the American general public and embrace that it is different? When will they be nominated for true artistic categories which recognize both their selling power and artistic merit?
While the Asian community is invited to these ceremonies and gains exposure by attending them, it feels as though the Asian community allowed the white man to use the them for his selective means once again. The white man got what he wanted— the views. The Asian community was reminded that presenting awards should be a great honor. A reminder that the white man will truly welcome us into his space, but only a little if it benefits the white man whilst reminding Asians that being a presenter is only how far Asian faces will be able and allowed to reach.