BTS’s V faces mixed reactions for wearing a durag, sparking a debate on cultural appropriation
The controversy erupted following V’s attendance at a party hosted by American rapper Lil Uzi Vert. During his live broadcast on the fan community Weverse, V proudly showcased the durag he had received as a gift and even tried it on, seemingly unaware of the complex cultural connotations associated with it.
V’s action prompted divided reactions from fans. Many fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment, citing concerns of cultural appropriation.
They argued that the act of a non-Black individual wearing a durag perpetuates harmful stereotypes and fails to acknowledge the cultural significance behind it. Some fans emphasized that while V’s intention might not have been malicious, it was a thoughtless action.
One Twitter user remarked, “For those trying to downplay Taehyung wearing the durag: it’s part of Black culture and used to protect our hair. It’s been used especially in K-pop to portray ‘hip-hop’ and ‘hood’ or ‘gangsta’ vibes, linking Blackness to these stereotypes. He is not racist, but is ignorant.“
Another fan tweeted, “I’m sorry, I don’t care if ‘antis’ or the ‘media’ or whoever drags Taehyung for wearing a durag. I love him, but he is a grown man and deserves criticism if he wants to be ignorant. At the end of the day, I’m Black before I’m a K-pop fan, and I’m tired.”
Conversely, some fans defended V, highlighting the complexity of the issue. One fan said, “If people who are not of color don’t fully understand the issue with wearing a durag, it doesn’t mean it’s necessarily cultural appropriation or disrespect towards Black people. Some Black people consider wearing a durag as cultural appropriation, while others don’t see it as a problem. Taehyung wearing a durag during the live was unintentional and not meant to mock or ridicule Black people.”
