#BlackOutBTS trends as K-pop band’s Black fans share selfies to celebrate inclusivity in BTS ARMY
#BlackOutBTS has been trending on Twitter. But the ARMY (fans of the South Korean boy band BTS) need not worry. The globally popular musical group is not being censored, nor is anyone asking for it, as the name of the trend would suggest.
So, what is #BlackOutBTS?
If BTS were a religion (and who can claim it isn’t close to one?), the first Tuesday of every month would be the day of prayer, so to speak. Fans participate in #ARMYSelcaDay that day, where they tweet a selca (or selfie) of themselves next to a picture of their favorite member in BTS, trying to imitate the pose.
According to a 2019 report by Fachana Techamaneewat on Exclusive Hollywood, black fans of the boy band are often not acknowledged enough by the ARMY. The report explained, “some ARMYs believe that K-pop music isn't made for black people and phrases from toxic members are often thrown around from them saying ‘stick to your own type of music’.”
A BTS fan explained to the website, “#BlackOutBTS is made for the fans who get the most silenced within the army: black people. [..] We get constantly ridiculed, ignored, attacked and disrespected within the army and we as a cohesive unit are sick of it. #BlackOutBTS is a selca day for just us to showcase our beauty, admire our bias in any way we choose to and for once get some shine. This [...] isn’t to exclude anyone, this is to raise up those who don’t receive inclusion.”
Another fan, wrote about the trend on the fan website AllKpop last year in November, “I am seeing #BlackOutBTS trending on Twitter. It seems really beautiful and positive. Black women and other women of color are posting photos of themselves alongside the photo of their favorite BTS Bias. The women are so beautiful and diverse. If so that is powerful in a way. It makes you realize that K-pop attracts all races, ages. I too am a black woman, although I am a casual listener of BTS's music. I am a Bigbang fan (VIP). I just had to share some positivity. Armies keep up the positivity, Fighting.”
Reportedly, #BlackOutBTS first trended on February 28, 2018, as a way for black ARMY members to celebrate the end of Black History Month while celebrating their love for BTS. A Twitter user, following that, explained:
“For those who don’t understand why there’s a whole #BlackOutBTS tag. The whole concept was created before it was adapted by ARMYs. The 'Blackout Day' tag was created to embrace the online black community on social media by sharing images of beautiful black people by selfies etc.”
They added, “It's not to ‘outshine’ or disrespect white people, it’s there to embrace, and shed a positive light on black individuals. It has been around for about three years, and the whole tag means minority voices are given the type of attention they are denied in mainstream culture.”
In any case, the Twitter trend, since then has been a regular wholesome affair. Black fans of the K-pop boy band continue to share photos, creating a kind of space for themselves in a fandom that is occupied by millions of people globally.
Take a look at the trend right here.