Anything under the sun: short stories, poems, opinions, random thoughts, musings, remembrances, feature articles. Just need to write, write, write.
Maski paps (maski paano in Tagalog), mish-mash,hodge-podge... a veritable cornucopia
On this last day of 2022, I reflect on the year that was. In the grand scheme of tragedies, wars, poverty, and the continued menace of Covid-19, I can truly say that I am blessed beyond belief.
At our year-end Thanksgiving service in the church, I remembered the moments of blessings and happiness, and I gave thanks for the spiritual guidance from the Almighty God. My gratitude abounds.
I have my own share of ups and downs, disappointments, and trials, but I am hopeful that 2023 will be a better year for all of us. I wish to share and pay forward all the great things I received.
I AM THANKFUL FOR:
Vacation in the Philippines, September 2022
The best thing that happened in 2022 was that I hugged my
mother again. Finally, after three years of video calls, I held my 91-year-old
Nanay in my arms. She is the reason why we endured the long arduous plane ride
to the Philippines; why we suffered through turbulent rides and backside-numbing
pains.
In the picture, my mom was actually trying not to laugh
because she didn't have her dentures in. She was conscious of her appearance, making sure to wear her perfume every day even though she did not often leave her bedroom anymore due to her weak knees. As long as her favorite tv shows are on, she is content.
Whatever her heart desires, I will always try to give in to her, except on staying at her side for good. Unfortunately, I have to live apart from her and work far away to provide for her. Thankfully, her mind is still sharp as ever. She playfully hinted at a new watch from her grandson Jordan.
All good things had to come to an end. I had a great time reuniting with my extended family, friends, and classmates. My heartfelt thanks to family and friends who made our vacation a fantabulous one.
It was not easy to kiss my mom and the rest of my family goodbye, to wait until the next vacation. But wipe the tears we did, for we had to get back to work.
Beautiful Philippines
Being a tourist in my native country. There are so many hidden gems in this country of 7,100+ islands.
Birthday celebration with family
Far away from the somber 9/11 ceremonies in the US, my
birthday this year amongst family and friends was most significant for me. This
was the first time I celebrated my special day in Manila after 39 years and the
first time since 2001 (21 years) when I didn't feel a smidgen of guilt for
celebrating a day more remembered for the attack on the twin towers. In the haze of purple attire and a standee of
BTS Jin, there was just peace, happiness, and contentment to be with the people
I love.
Life is simple, after all. There
is joy when you're surrounded by love, there is no need for an ostentatious
celebration. Just celebrating life, although I still cringed when I saw the
number 64. I just have to remember that age is just a number and that I am much
wiser and more blessed.
My article “Finding My Joy: Fighting Nurse Burn-out” was
published in the Journal of Emergency Nursing November 2022 issue. It was a
personal account of my own challenges and journey as a nurse leader during the
peak of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. I believe that this will resonate with
other nurse leaders out there.
Los Cabos, Mexico, for the 1199SIEU Continuing Education
Wellness Conference
So thankful to be part of the Instructor team from the #1199SEIU
Continuing Education group. The Wellness of the Mind, Body, and Soul conference
at Los Cabos, Mexico, offered the topics on Self-care: Building a path to
healthy kidneys, DM: Prevention & Health Maintenance, The Search for the true self, and my topic
Finding Joy in Nursing. This conference proved that nurses (or any healthcare
worker) deserve to take care of and love themselves first to fight burnout. One cannot run on empty.
After the challenges of Covid-19 as front
liners, nurses need to recharge and invigorate themselves to find their joy. We
all need help to find our purpose and meaning, our "Ikigai."
Hello, 2023.
We all enter the new year with a little uncertainty about what the future holds. But it is full steam ahead for me. No matter what, we will persevere. I will let God take charge of my life.
Yesterday, I should have been happy to have a day off from work.
But the gloomy scene outside my kitchen window was not a great mood-lifter. The
hard rain was beating a staccato rhythm against the window pane, the morning
skies were cloudy, and the yellow leaves from my backyard tree were valiantly
holding off to dear life.
I turned my back from the melancholy and checked my pictures
on my phone from my recent hike in Alley Pond Park, where I basked in all of
Autumn’s glorious riot of colors. The vibrant red, yellow, and orange foliage
filled my heart. I was transported back to those magical moments where the only
sounds I heard were the leaves crunching under my feet, the chirping of the
birds, the susurration of a brook, and the soft camera clicks from my niece. I
was happy.
On my recent trip to Los Cabos, Mexico, I was one of the
instructors for the Wellness Conference organized by the 1199 Union
organization for their RN members. I taught about finding joy in our personal
and professional lives to fight nurse burnout. As the world rises out of the
chokehold of the pandemic, healthcare workers are still struggling with the
nursing shortage and other hospital inefficiencies.
There are many problems in life, and in healthcare, that may be beyond our control. There are also many ways to cope. Sometimes, the nurses are so consumed with taking care of others that they forget to care for themselves. To continue caring for
others, I urged the nurses to love themselves first. Be mindful of self-care
and mental health, and actively seek and find joy. Embrace your joy triggers,
I showed photos that make me happy. Pictures are excellent
memory prompts to reminisce about happy occasions and serve as our emotional
bubble against the troubles of this world. Numerous research has shown the
connection between pictures of beloved family members, pets, beautiful scenery,
vacations, and the reduction of cortisol and adrenaline hormones. Of course,
nothing beats the real thing of feeling the Boracay breeze on your skin, but
the picture of pedicured toes on the white sands brings on happy memories.
According to a 2021 Environmental Research and Public Health
article, even looking at pictures of nature can calm the brain's orbitofrontal
cortex, thereby reducing stress and anxiety. I surreptitiously checked the
audience's reaction when I shared my happy photos with the class. The audience
reacted as I expected. They ooh’d and aah’d and smiled at the stunning images of nature, cherry blossoms, a beautiful bench in Home Goods, coconut trees and flip-flops,
rainbows, and lavender fields.
Happy Kids/Young Ones
Sunrise and Sunsets
Beaches
Fall Foliage
BTS
During the class, I could not help but fangirl. When my favorite band BTS flashed on the screen,
a few looked confused (they must be living in a rock if they don’t know the
biggest musical group in the world), but several squealed in delight. Of course,
I went to my fellow Army and high-fived them.
So, yes, pictures can heal the mind and spirit. They are
instant mood-lifters during a gloomy, rainy day. Post pictures in your office, save them to your phones, or buy those digital photo frames to enjoy those reminders that life is wonderful.
Representation matters. There is validation when one
sees a person of the same ethnicity on the movie and tv screen or in a position
of power. It is good to be visible.
It is a travesty that Filipino nurses are not even featured in medical shows set in urban medical centers. In 2018, the Emmy award show hosts called out that glaring oversight. Michael Che said, “TV has always had a diversity problem. I mean, can you
believe they did 15 seasons of ER without one Filipino nurse? Have you been to
a hospital?”
Token representation to check the diversity box is just
a hand-out, an insincere attempt to reflect the real world out there. It should
not be a half-hearted attempt at political correctness. The idea of a world not governed by the color of your skin
but by your talent and hard work; now that’s almost an impossible dream.
Somehow,
things are showing a step in the right direction. Finally, in the Season 17 finale of “Grey’s Anatomy”, a Filipino nurse was featured suffering from the aftermath of Covid-19. Hurray for the non-traditional
casting of “Bridgerton”. Cheers to Lin-Manuel Miranda for hiring minorities as
historical figures in the musical Hamilton. Thankfully, shows such as “Crazy
Ex-Girlfriend”, “Superstore”, and the SBS comedy-drama “Unusual Suspects” have
starred Filipino actors and content.
It is nice to see some Pinoys rising against all odds,
breaking the cultural barriers. Here are a few of those who broke through the
mainstream global consciousness, not yet global superstars but they definitely
made me proud. Here’s to Pinoy Power.
Lea Salonga- multi-awarded Broadway legend and
Disney princess
Charice- before his transition to Jake Cyrus was
Oprah’s favorite
Arnel Pineda- now the lead singer of Journey
Marcelito Pomoy- this dual-voiced singer was a
finalist in America’s Got Talent
Morisette Amon- by the sheer number of
multimillion avid reactions should be the next superstar
JO KOY
Jo Koy is a Filipino-American stand-up comic and author of "Mixed Plate". With successful
and highly-rated specials from Comedy Central and Netflix, Jo Koy had come a
long way from performing in coffee houses and Knights of Columbus halls to
selling out arenas and stadiums. His spiels about his Filipino mother’s
fondness for Vicks Vaporub, rice, karaoke, and her brand of discipline draw
laughs from his audience of many colors. Jo Koy even said that he loves when
non-Filipinos call him “Josep” just like his mom in her thick accent.
In August, Jo Koy starred in his Steven Spielberg-backed
major movie called "Easter Sunday”. It is his love letter to his mom, giving a
voice to Filipino culture on the big screen. This semi-autobiographical
film is about the reunion and exploits of a Filipino American family in Daly
City.
As expected, there was a delicious smorgasbord of Filipino
food (lumpia, pancit, empanada, halo-halo, turon), and an exuberant karaoke
session. The Balikbayan box scene tugs at the heartstrings; it has been an
annual tradition for homesick overseas Pinoys to share their blessings with their
families back home.
For Pinoys, this movie is a visualization of the Filipino
diaspora or their immigrant experience. For the world at large, this is a peek
into the Pinoy culture, and hopefully, an understanding that there are many similarities
between all of us. After all, a mom is a mom, and family is family.
Jo Koy is a trailblazer; his comedy routines introduce
Filipino cultures to mainstream awareness. A cultural storyteller. He wears his heart on his sleeve,
his intent to share his experiences as a platform for interracial harmony. And yes, he talks about Pinoy nurses too.
EZ MIL
In 2020, Filipino-American rapper Ez Mil (real name Ezekiel Miller Sapiera) released the song
“Panalo” incorporating the trap song Cariñosa (a traditional Filipino folk
dance) and rapped in English, Tagalog, and Ilocano. To date, the Wish-Bus 107.5
recording went viral and garnered 74 million views, and attracted thousands of
followers and reactors the world over. He is a multi-instrumentalist, his own video editor. A poet in his own right.
This Pinoy pride anthem is a passionate call to Filipinos to
eschew crab mentality and bullying, which he personally experienced due to him
being half-Caucasian. As he growled, “I am Pinoy!”. He is fired up.
JR DE GUZMAN
This 30-year-old comic and musician immigrated from the
Philippines at a young age and settled in California. The family’s initial dwelling
in a storage container became part of his comedy routine. He started as a music
teacher serenading his audience as he cracked jokes about his family and his
travels and somehow took digs at racism. Armed with his guitar and a boyish
smile, he banters wittily with his audience. He played off a deceptive persona
as a quiet Asian dude, shattering the stereotype with his jokes as in “Asian
guys can smash” and interracial babies.
He won the 13th Annual Standup NBC showcase, and made Kevin
Hart laugh boisterously on Comedy Central’s “Hart of the City”. His Netflix Comedy Line special grew his fanbase, not just of Pinoys. JR has performed
around the US, Europe, Asia, and the Philippines.
TINIKLING
The Tinikling is a traditional folk dance from the
Philippines that requires courage and dexterity, lest you end up with smashed
feet. Dancers skillfully dance between bamboo poles.
The members of the Georgia Tech Filipino Student Association
honored their Pinoy heritage by performing the Gen Z-er’s creative version of
the Tinikling to the tune of "Dolla Sign Slime” by American rap singer Lil Nas X.
The dance performance was live-streamed on April 16, 2022, as part of the
student organization’s “Halo Halo Mixer” cultural event.
UNUSUAL SUSPECTS
In June 2021, SBS Australia released a four-part mini-series
starring a mismatched group of female crooks in the midst of a heist involving
a 16-million-dollar heirloom necklace. Set in Sydney, Australia, the show
brings together women from different socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds
bound by their financial difficulties.
The four Filipina actresses led by the superb Aina Dumlao
are impressive. The two nannies demonstrated the poignant experiences of
domestic workers and their sacrifices to send money to their families back in
the Philippines.
You can binge-watch this on Hulu.
CARTOONS
Filipino artists have long been represented in the world of
animation. Several Pinoy illustrators have broken through the glass ceiling of
the global industry with the Philippines being billed as the world's “cartoon
capital”.
Filipino cultural references were present in Lilo &
Stitch (parols or Christmas lanterns) and in Raya and the Last Dragon (arnis
and salakot). Netflix released a popular adaptation of Trese and PBS Kids
animated shorts series featuring Jelly, Ben & Pogo making halo-halo.
“Craig of the Creek”
“Craig of the Creek” is an Emmy-nominated television series
created by Americans Matt Burnett and Ben Levin for Cartoon Network. This animated
show is critically-acclaimed for its diversity, breaking cultural barriers and
gender restrictions.
One of the characters is Craig’s Filipina friend Eileen who
invites Craig to meet his grandmother or “Lola”. Thanks to its Fil-Am writer,
the episode showed Lola speaking the Visayan dialect, offering her hand to Craig for "mano" and some local dishes like tortang talong (eggplant omelet)
and sinigang na isda (fish stew).
Last week, I watched "Easter Sunday". I saw brown-skinned people who looks like me, putting gifts in the Balikbayan box, and eating the same food. Wow, it feels good to be seen.
Several months ago, after a trying and tiring day, I needed
to find my joy. Nothing worked; even my beloved BTS distracted me for only just
a little bit. My stress balls did not work. I needed something silly, stupid,
and hilarious.
I needed to laugh out loud. Laughter is a blessing, an
instant vacation from negativity, and as everybody knows, is cheap medicine. An
anonymous person wisely said, “Laughter is when a smile has an orgasm”.
I realized that all I had to do was watch the funny auditions
in those talent shows. It is quite liberating to see another
person take a brave leap of faith in going before sanctimonious judges and the audience,
risking their pride, beaming with unusual confidence, and showing the world that
they are living their dreams.
My cynical side thinks that some delusions of
grandeur work out in mysterious ways. We can still dream of something big and
live the life we have always longed for. We just need to work hard and follow
our passion, however unintentionally or accidentally laughable we may become.
William Hung
Remember William Hung? He defined the 3rd season
of American Idol, eclipsing even the winner Fantasia Barrino. He sang Ricky
Martin’s “She Bangs”, and rose to national prominence (of sorts). In a way he mocked us
all, emerging from that with a career as a motivational speaker. He gave it
all without regrets, and I admire him for it.
He’s the most memorable Filipino in the whole history of American Idol. Renaldo Lapuz showed grace and
humility if nothing else. His original
composition “We’re Brothers Forever” lived rent-free in my mind for a while. Dressed in an all-white
ensemble with a hat and a silver cape, he defied expectations and parlayed this
to being featured in the finale of American Idol Season 7.
Miss Tres
Brace for the surprise. Don't let their looks deceive you. The Philippines’ answer to Destiny’s Child or Spice Girls, the trio performed “Sex Bomb” by Tom Jones at Asia’s Got Talent. Wait for their names.
Tequila guy
In Season 14 of America’s Got Talent, Andy Rowell came in as a karaoke joke but left as a viral sensation. How can something so stupid and so wrong be so right and so hilarious? This may be a take on another comedian Andy Kaufman’s Mighty Mouse character, but his brilliant performance earned him a standing ovation.
Tape Face
What a creative genius. Comedian Sam Willis or his alter ego Tape Face
was a contestant on America's Got Talent in Season 11. He was a modern version
of Charlie Chaplin and made it to the Finals and later on performed his own
shows in Las Vegas with his signature duct tape.
Ken Lee
This takes the cake. I am convinced that this is actually
the funniest audition of all. The piece de resistance. In Bulgarian
Music Idol 2 (2008), Valentina Hasan tried to sing Mariah Carey's song
"Without you". She even smirked irritably when questioned about what kind
of language “Ken Lee” was. Tulibi dibu douchoo, But of course, it could only be English.
I always looked at my glass half-full, believing with all my
heart that there are so many things to be joyful of. It would be easy to wallow
in despair with all the horrible and sad news permeating the news headlines.
But as I learned over the years, that defeatist attitude will be a
self-fulfilling prophecy.
Dan Rather, American journalist, and former national evening
news anchor tweeted two weeks ago, “There's a lot of pain and sadness in the
world. And Twitter can be an endless doomscroll. So here's a challenge. Share a
picture of something that brings you joy – a place, a person, a pet, a hobby, a
favorite book. The more diversity the better.”
Doomscrolling is “the practice of obsessively checking
online news for updates, especially on social media feeds, with the expectation
that the news will be bad, such that the feeling of dread from this negative
expectation fuels a compulsion to continue looking for updates in a
self-perpetuating cycle.”
Thankfully, many people still find joy in simple things and
Mr. Rather received hundreds of positive tweets in response. So, here’s my
one-week challenge to myself. I collected pictures of my simple joys. I refuse
to be a doomscroller.
INC Holy
Supper
Last week
was a holy week for the Church of Christ. The holiest day in our church is the
Holy Supper where we celebrate the Lord Jesus Christ’s supreme sacrifice and our
Almighty God’s benevolence and forgiveness. Food for the soul.
Cherry
Blossoms
Roosevelt
Island, New York, is where I started my nursing career in the United States. The
cherry blossoms framing the skyline of Manhattan are so beautiful to behold.
Zoom
meeting
A call with
some of our college classmates to discuss our May 2023 reunion.
Amazon
book ranking
My book
ranked #15 last week and was a featured ad on my Facebook feed.
Jo Koy
comedy show
Comedian Jo
Koy brought his “Funny Is Funny” World Tour to a sold-out show at UBS Arena. His repertoire is filled with raunchy jokes and profanities, but it cannot be
denied that Jo Koy is a proud Filipino American. The diverse audience learned
about chicken adobo, tabo, and our love for karaoke.
BTS
comeback
A new album coming. June 10, 2022. I. Cannot. Wait.
Shopping
I’m at home with Home Goods.
Anticipating my Vacation
Counting down the months until I can hug my Nanay again.
If you didn’t know that BTS is known worldwide and that they had transcended the barriers of language with their music, then you’re living under a rock. If you think you’re too old or too cool to appreciate these global superstars, you are totally wrong. If you believe the BTS fans are just screaming and emotional females, then you will be shocked by the many YouTube male reactors who are as effusive and vocal about their fandom.
The BTS Army is comprised of a wide spectrum of ages, genders, and ethnicities, from 15-year-olds (and younger) to 70-year-olds (and older) from all over the world. The BTS’ universal appeal is reflected in their sold-out concerts, blockbusters, and record-breaking sales, even breaking Michael Jackson’s and the Beatles’ records. The exponential growth of BTS can only be described as phenomenal, and in fact, they are much more than just K-pop.
BTS is its own genre. Their 300-plus song discography guarantees that even the most skeptical listener will find a song or two that they will like. Their songs are diverse and versatile: pop, ballads, hip-hop, rock, R&B, soul, rap, electronic dance music, and even some jazzy elements. My niece was shocked that I now like rap. I corrected her that I only like BTS rap, especially RM’s “Look Here” verses. The BTS dance choreographies are complex, mind-boggling, and mesmerizing. Their music videos can either be bombastically epic or head-bopping fun, or aesthetically enthralling. No wonder these videos have amassed billions of views.
BTS comprises 7 young men from South Korea: RM, Jin, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V, and Jungkook (4 vocalists and 3 rappers); all can write and produce their own songs. Since their debut in 2013, BTS has delivered a kaleidoscope of uplifting and hard-hitting songs covering socially-conscious commentaries on social justice, self-love, cyber-bullying, antiracism, child and female empowerment, and mental health.
In a way, there is a more profound reason why I push for BTS. In these times of Asian hate (and other racism), I would like other people to diversify their interests to something other than what they’re used to. By accepting different cultures and other music, maybe all of us will be more respectful of each other, celebrate diversity and shatter the cultural divide. By appreciating other people, we may even treat each other well.
So, before you write them off, listen with an open mind. And maybe just as I became an instant fan when I heard Kim Seok-Jin sing “I’m the One I Should Love,” you will be too. Prepare to be sucked into the rabbit hole.
MY TOP 10 FAVORITE BTS SONGS as of this moment:
My list varies from day to day, not in any particular order.
1. BUTTER (2021)
This is their 2nd English-language song. To complete their global dominance, they started to produce English songs too. Finally, after Dynamite and Butter, BTS songs are getting radio play. They are certainly smooth like butter. I must admit that I love their Korean songs (with subtitles) just slightly better.
2. ON: Kinetic Manifesto Film Come Prima (2020)
This video was set at the Los Angeles' Sepulveda Dam with pulsating dance choreography, a marching band, and incredible drone camera
work. The dance break is captivating and unbelievable and holds true to its kinetic energy of bodies twirling, gyrating, and flipping to a delightful harmony of the drumbeat, trumpets, saxophone, and whatever instruments were called for.
When the camera panned to the sky and suddenly dropped down to the dancers, my heart palpitated when BTS unleashed an amazing display of dancing prowess. You can't help but sing along to their rallying cry to “Bring
on the pain” because, as they say, you cannot hold down a fighter. There is also another version where BTS performed this at the Grand Central Station.
3. HOUSE OF CARDS (2015)
The 4 vocalists took center stage for this sultry and haunting song about a toxic relationship built on shaky foundations. Like they cannot let go, and they are trying to save the moment until their last ounce of strength. We were witnesses to their hearts breaking for a love that was doomed, and yet we cannot turn our eyes away. Because some of us were in the same place, at our most vulnerable point.
The song hits the heart. Jin, Jimin, V, and Jungkook (who did a little scatting) delivered powerful and emotional performances. A vocal masterpiece. Beautiful voices. Bravo!
4. SPRING DAY (2017)
Most critics regard it as one of the best songs by BTS, Spring Day has stayed up on the Korean charts even today. This ballad evokes a
sense of loss and nostalgia for those people missing in one's life. The song has also been used to remember the tragic Sewol ferry disaster in April 2014, which claimed 304
lives (mostly teenagers) when the ferry caught fire.
This song is a tear-jerker, an emotive paean to life and death. Check out another version with the NPR Tiny Desk concert.
5. AIRPLANE PT.2(2018)
The Latin-pop influence in this video is quite fascinating, with the amazing dance solo from J-Hope on top of the bar straight out of Havana. It is about traveling artists enjoying life on the road with mariachi bands. Such a light-hearted vibe, and what swag. The best visual, of course, for the female fans is in the Rain part, lol. Imagine clear skies, then the drenching rain and the wet hair.
6. 'MIC DROP:Steve Aoki Remix (2017)
This hip-hop song is a scorching response to their “haters.” They celebrate their trophies, thumbing their nose at those who doubted them. And that’s what you do when you are successful, leave them in the dust with your bag of money and awards. This group is a run-away train on the railroad of global dominance.
Let the "haters" stew in their own envy while you celebrate. Let the haters hate (who cares about them?), and let the lovers love. Just drop the mic. I like the attitude.
7. BLACK SWAN (2020)
The contemporary dance choreography is impassioned,
intricate, and simply a masterpiece. The video was filmed in a majestic and
cavernous theater and is breathtaking for its play on shadows and mirrors, and
of course, the vocals are just amazing.
8. DIONYSIUS (2019)
The music is loosely based on Dionysius, an Olympian god with a mortal mother. Although it may sound first like a party song, it was
really just the group’s celebration of their success, like “getting drunk”
in the creative process.
The spectacular choreography is energetic with a frenetic stage set
movement and dance transitions. It is exhilarating to watch. In the end, it was nice to see the Kings on their thrones.
9. LOOK HERE (2014)
I love this song for RM’s rap at around 1:15 of this mini-concert, "yo my genielambhorgini, be my teenie weenie mini...bikini, martini". Because I
cannot find an official video, here is the BTS Room Live FESTA video from 2021, where the rest of the group also sang their earlier songs, including some other favorites, "Save Me" and "Telepathy." I love to see their different personalities and their camaraderie.
10. LIFE GOES ON (2020)
The group’s gift to their fans during the pandemic. It is
their “message of healing” in these challenging times. And in the darkness brought on
by violence and discrimination, it is an inspiring call to stay hopeful. BTS released the song to provide comfort and hope to their fans. I got the message. Just persevere. Life goes on.
Finally, so many more songs are a constant
repeat on my playlist and can easily take their place on my top 10 list. There are Fire, Idol, Save Me, Telepathy, Blue and Grey, Boy in Luv, Bulletproof, Fake Love, Blood, Sweat and Tears, Pied Piper, Mikrokosmos, Love Myself, Dimple, Anpanman, Dynamite, DNA, Zero O'clock, I Need U, The Truth Untold, Epiphany, Singularity, Bicycle, Euphoria, Serependity, Airplane 1, and the amazing Daechwita by Suga. The list goes on.
Really, how can one limit themselves to just a top 10 #BTS songs list? My faves list had expanded to a top 50 at this point. Down the rabbit hole, I go deeper and deeper.
Besides their songs, I admire the BTS members for their
wholesomeness, brotherhood, and undeniable appeal to fans all-over. They are getting some xenophobic hate just because they are Asians. On the other hand, those who love them will certainly open new doors of understanding and acceptance from those who never thought they would even listen to a non-English song.
BTS stands against racism, donated money to Black Lives Matter and other charities, spoke in the United Nations as global ambassadors, and broke down many barriers and ceilings. God bless them.
Update: May 31, 2022
The past month of May was the Asian American and Pacific
Islander Heritage Month. The phenomenal group BTS was invited to the White
House and met with President Biden to raise awareness around the rise in
anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination, especially after Covid-19. BTS showed the group's relevance and their massive power to represent Asians in our fight for inclusion and diversity. President Biden signed the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act last year. If anyone can move the needle against Asian hate, it would be BTS.
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