"The land of dreams and fantasy" Disney is making a person of color (Hispanic) Snow White. This is one of the phenomena that have emerged as PC-ism (political correctness), which says we should respect and consider minorities, the underprivileged, and diversity, spreads. To say that putting color on the white folk tale Snow White's main character is consideration—what an arrogant, presumptuous prejudice. Every people in the world has its own unique history, myths, and fairy tales. There is no need to accept, in the name of consideration, a random, identity-less character that is out of place. The reporter's skewed view is that the misguided conceit of some vested interests is actually tainting PC-ism.
The creation of a 'best Asian pop music performance' category at the Grammys, the world's most prestigious awards, and BTS's refusal to submit in protest feel like part of the same context. BTS members criticized the Recording Academy's move on each of their social media accounts on the 29th of last month, saying, "We have decided not to submit to the Grammys this year. We hope music can be heard and loved as music itself rather than being categorized by region or language."
In short, they are saying they oppose dividing music award categories by specific regions. If the Grammys are an American awards show, by America, and for America, then BTS might be making an unreasonable demand. But the Grammys, now approaching 70 years, have long claimed the status of the world's premier popular music awards. While many categories have been created and retired over the years, it's hard to find precedent for a region-specific award. (There have been so many retired categories and frequent changes that I cannot categorically say there were none.)
The Grammys quickly issued an explanation. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, recently said, "I was saddened to hear that BTS has decided not to participate in this year's Grammy submission process. But as a music creator myself, I understand and respect their decision." I don't quite understand up to this point. It's regrettable but you understand.
He went on to say, "I want to make clear what is being overlooked in the current discussion. The Asian pop category was established to celebrate the depth, diversity and remarkable growth of pop art born in Asia. The purpose of this new category is to shine focused attention on Asia's excellent artists. Increasing the number of categories means more artists' works will be recognized. It is not about separating awards recognized by our 15,000 Grammys voting members, but about expanding them."
This sounds like wordplay distinguishing 'ah' from 'eo.' It's no different from a darkly tanned Snow White. It sounds like saying, "Don't play in the big waters; you've grown up, so we'll give you this small well," as a form of consideration(?). How is this different from past racial segregation policies in the U.S., which forbade eating at the same restaurants or attending the same schools? In the end, isn't this about 'separating'?
Perhaps aware of such controversy, Harvey Mason Jr. said, "What I want to make clear is that submitting music to genre categories like Asian pop, jazz or country does not disqualify entries from eligibility for the general field categories that include record of the year, album of the year and song of the year," and explained, "Recognition in genre categories and recognition in the general field are not mutually exclusive, and artists can absolutely pursue both." The conclusion is clear. Saying artists can pursue both is coercing them to chase two rabbits. Can't they just hunt together?
Here I borrow a passage from an article by our Director General Choi I-jeong. "This episode reveals that the Grammys' newly created 'Asian pop' category is not a measure recognizing K-pop's global status but rather a 'poisoned chalice' that seeks to isolate them from the general field and a different form of discrimination. Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy, recognized the unsettling atmosphere and issued a statement in a day saying, 'The Asian pop category was established to celebrate the depth, diversity and growth of pop art born in Asia,' but the dominant reaction is that this is a 'transparent wordplay.'"
She hit the mark. Those who have broken through walls of discrimination and prejudice and proven themselves on the same stage will surely not believe the benevolence of being given their own 'well' to expand new opportunities and challenges.
[Photo] ⓒGettyimages (Unauthorized reproduction and redistribution prohibited)
[OSEN]