Let’s Talk For a Minute about Bang Chan (+Stays)
First of all, I have resurrected from the dead and have decided my first post back will be talking about the leader of Stray Kids, Christopher Bang, or Bang Chan.
(Note, I’m black. Just clearing that up now. And I know I may lose followers for this but fuck it, everyone has their views and opinions on it, and I at least wanna say my piece.)
The only reason I wanna say anything about this is because it’s making me anxious lmao.
But, anyways, if you don’t know, Chan is underfire for performing with cornrows and many people are calling it cultural appropriation.
My thoughts on the situation? It’s not.
Putting my feelings aside for Bang Chan and Stray Kids, I would say that if I had to see anyone in the Kpop community with cornrows… I wouldn’t want to. But I’m glad it was Bang Chan of most people.
Honestly, most, if not all, idols don’t have a say on what gets done to them, the only time they may get a choice is on hair color but that’s probably it. I believe Bang Chan didn’t get a say in the hairstyle but knew the backlash he’d receive. But this is the reason I’m not angry about it: Bang Chan respects the cultures and doesn’t belittle the culture, so a one time hairstyle like this won’t make me hate him.
One comment I read on YouTube kinda pissed me off: ‘cornrows + a rap song? He’s trying so hard to be black’
Although I’m aiming to remain unbiased, I will say one thing I admire about Bang Chan, 3racha, and Stray Kids is that they truly care about hip hop. Felix and Hyunjin may have been told they’d be placed in the rapper positions but 3racha is possibly the only JYP group with non-appointed rappers because they knew they loved rap, whether it be the lyricism or freedom of expression. Whatever. They didn’t need someone to tell them to become rappers, it was already their goal.
Other artist who are rappers, some genuine rappers with a true gift, couldn’t give less of a fuck about black culture but will use it for aesthetic and brownie points in the music community. Bang Chan is always actively trying to avoid having people feel like he doesn’t care, he’d probably even study day and night about the history of black people and global black culture (yes, there’s more to black culture than just what’s shown in America) just to make sure he doesn’t slip up.
To end my directionless rambling: his hairstyle wasn’t my cup of tea, highkey never wanna see it again, but it was a one time hairstyle that he would probably ask to never wear again and will surely apologize for. Don’t hound him about it because we know he will do it.
Front and fucking center cause I got a whole lot to say about y’all!
Let me start by saying something I felt for a long ass time: As soon as Stray Kids debuted, Stays were proud to be “non-toxic” and “unproblematic” but became toxic just as fast as those words left their mouths.
The fandom is divided because of gatekeeping Stays that believe if you aren’t 100% riding Stray Kids dicks and supporting them through all slip ups, even the slip ups that upset you, then your place in the fandom is invalid.
Being a fan means to correct your idol when they fuck up and vice versa. Just because he’s your fave doesn’t mean you have to be on his dick 24/7 to be “loyal”. You want to be a non-toxic fan(dom)? Don’t enable your favorite group/artist when they do something wrong/controversial.
My big issue with Stays right now is that they aren’t taking in account of how some black Stays feel. Some black Stays don’t care about the hairstyle (I personally don’t care), but we respect the ones that do see a problem.
Black Stays: not every hairstyle or action resembling black culture is cultural appropriation.
Other black Stays: although you don’t care about the hairstyle, you can see how Bang Chan, someone who’s least likely to do anything like this, having that hairstyle could come as a shock to most Stays, please try to be considerate of that.
Non-black Stays: DON’T TRY TO ARGUE DOWN BLACK STAYS ABOUT THEIR FEELINGS ON THIS! I can’t stress that enough! You keep saying they’re overreacting and you don’t see a problem with it but it’s not your culture being used. You don’t see a problem because it doesn’t affect you. Cultural appropriation in Kpop has been going on for years so each time it happens, it’s a slap in the face to us. And, when you dismiss black Stays and even go as far as to say “just leave the fandom/you’re not a real Stay”, you’re shitting on the safe space Stray Kids created for Stays of all races, ages, ethnicities, religions, etc.
I guess I’ll end my rant here. It’s long? I know. It’s controversial? I know. You all hate me? Bitch same. But I won’t shy away from criticism, disagreement, etc., just wanted to get rid of some of my anxiety on this situation. 🤟🏽
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