Korean American rapper, singer and songwriter Jay Park has shared his opinions about President Trump while the nation continues to fight against COVID-19.
Park posted screenshots of an article he took part in for Billboard in an Instagram post late last week, encouraging his fans to stay safe and to support one another.
“They asked for a statement about D. Trump so i gave one…🤷♂️ Stay strong. Stay safe. Look out for one another…dont move around till its safe ❤️🙏🏁,” he wrote in the caption.
Park was quote as saying how America is made up of many different ethnicities, including Asian Americans. He criticized the actions taken by Trump thus far, especially for calling COVID-19 the “Chinese virus.”
Many other celebrities and politicians have also condemned Trump for his use of the term. Park called the language “irresponsible and disgusting.”
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“In a time when we all need to come together and work as one, he is creating even more racial tension and divide,” Park wrote. “I think it’s safe to make the assumption that our president is ignorant.”
Park further expressed his frustrations with Trump, calling his actions a “school-like drama” on Twitter.
He wrote that he never says the word “f–k” towards someone because it denies him the opportunity to truly understand someone and learn from them.
Park hopes that Americans would come together and make more informed decisions moving forward.
Park is one of many voices calling out the racist rhetoric and violence toward Asians and Asian Americans around the world, both in real life and online.
The post has garnered more than 160,000 reactions and over 3,000 comments of support.
“It’s also important as non-Asian people to support our Asian-American allies✊🏾,” one user said.
“Jay Park for President,” another commented.
“SAY IT LOUDER MY MAN,” another user wrote.
The 32-year-old artist has been at the forefront of the hip-hop and R&B scene for over a decade, initially blowing up through the K-pop movement. Park has been honored with the Game Changer Award by the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center and has won the Artist of the Year at the 2018 Korean Hip Hop Awards.
Park ended the post with a call to action.
“Now I’m going to bump YG & Nipsey Hussle ‘FDT’ and go about making sure MY PEOPLE are all good like a REAL LEADER should. Marathon continues, stay safe and healthy, GOD BLESS.”
Feature Images via @jparkitrighthere
