True enough I am so worried for you guys and for Canada and all over the world because this is not how it should be

Very well said but I'm sure you will get blasted for it still. You guys will always be my favorite band no matter what. Everything going on is sad and hurts. Obviously I am affected but I'm a private peaceful person who observes nor I'll lose my crap lol. Nothing is ever gonna be the same and that scares me. My anxiety can't handle. I'm ready for concerts and new albums. I'm praying every single day and night as I always have but now harder than ever for things to be done right and justice is served. I love you guys and cant wait to get the new ep. 

Love your words, your own words.

Thank you for saying something so positive . It’s what we need . Your music has always brought me joy n hope no matter what I’m going through . God bless 

Thank you for your kind words! 

What’s going on in the world is heartbreaking. I look forward to your music and videos, especially now when the world feels so heavy. Thank you. 

One can only hope that by shining a light on social injustice and racial disparity, the urgent need for change will be amplified. To ignore the problem is to refuse to believe it exists, (and after this past week, there’s no question it exists).  We’re beyond the point of attempting to leave the world a better place than the way we found it - that ship has sailed - but maybe, if we all work together, we can at least leave a more compassionate and just world for future generations.  We must do all we can. Our kids and grandkids are depending on us.

In my opinion your actions over the last two decades show us how much you guys do care. I have never heard a story about Hanson being racist. Also, I can't forget The Walk plus all the solidarity gestures and communitary works. Thank u guys for being amazing humans and translate in music what really matters in this world.

Unfortunately, on social media there are people judging you guys badly 'cause didn't write the hashtag / phrase. Maybe the band can offer space on the social media to black musicians express themselves. Hope black fans feel your love.

Appreciate the message, true fans know from all the years following you where you all stand without it. Keep your chins up and doing what you're already doing. Actions speak louder than any words, it's just a shame people have been deaf to what you have been screaming all along.

The backlash you guys are receiving on social media is so irritating! You wrote beautiful words and still get bashed for it. Your past actions speak louder than any words. We know what’s in your hearts, you shouldn’t be getting backed into a corner like you are with people trying to put words into your mouth. We love you guys x 

"There is never only one way" Witness.

Take care everybody. One Love. <3

You guys! Thank you for your message! Its heartfelt and I agree 100%!  Love is the way to go! 

You guys are wonderful people, please know that. You've done enough for all of us to know. This is a beautiful message. God bless you. 

You guys built a fantastic community around the inspiration and encouragement to act and speak up. You've encouraged us to walk in another's shoes to relate to the challenges they face. You've written thoughtful lyrics about standing up for what you believe in, bridging divides, taking chances. Those songs are powerful, and meaningful, and helped me to grow and open my mind in ways that I may have gotten to eventually, but definitely got to a bit quicker thanks to your influence and inspiration. 

I'm relieved to see that you made a statement here because I will also admit that I was wondering where those guys who wrote those lyrics and inspired those actions have been for the past week. And that's been a bit disappointing and hard to navigate. I hope those who thinks that the fans that are reaching out in hopes to encourage and inspire others to recognize what can be done, what's not been done, and what can be done better are doing so because they care. That we know how much passion and leadership and inspiration is possible, and choosing now to be careful about it, and somewhat quiet about it, has been confusing to some. I can promise that no one wants to be disappointed. That any call to do better is because we know that it's possible. 

It's important to let others know that you are in their corner, especially in times like these. It's important to listen and learn. And like in anything, it's good to focus on positive messages. Love, understanding, community. Thank you for doing that. 

To borrow from an analogy I’ve seen elsewhere recently, imagine the black community is a house in your neighborhood, and racism is fire. Right now, that house is burning. 

By not acknowledging and condemning racism specifically *against the black community*—and by this I don’t just mean George Floyd, I mean the racist policies that have oppressed black Americans and enriched white Americans for centuries—you are not showing your fans that they need to put out the fire. You’re saying “We love all houses. Fire is bad.” And allowing yourself community to follow your example by affirming “yes, houses are good. Fire is bad.” While they all watch the black community’s house burn to the ground.

The comments on Hanson’s social media the last several days make it abundantly clear that this fan base includes many white women who are unaware of their white privilege at best, and entertaining actively racist beliefs at worst. I am deeply disheartened that, as a band with a large and devoted following you would decline opportunity to tell your community that we all have work to do to support our black neighbors and right the wrongs that have been inflicted upon them in this country.

I like what I’ve heard so far from the new EP, but I can’t in good faith give any more money to a band that cannot rise to the level of having hard conversations about what’s really going on right now, affirming their support for the black community by name, and showing their followers why they need to be better. I will not be renewing my HNET membership this year.

Thank you for the example you all set by your words, actions & music everyday.  They inspire us to think, act and to do better as we move forward in our lives.   God Bless & prayers for all.

@Kellylizbeth my family no matter how white I may look is not "white privileged" that statement itself is racist to judge us based on our color or lack of. A lot of us have black members in our family who feel the same way as the message posted from the band, I certainly do and my love for them is beyond what 3 words could ever express. Do not assume or feed into this. We all know black lives matter, but we don't need a special hashtag to get the point across. This movement is also a fight against many other things as well which they have acknowledged. 

i'm just going to repost what kellylizbeth said because it's accurate and extremely important. 

"To borrow from an analogy I’ve seen elsewhere recently, imagine the black community is a house in your neighborhood, and racism is fire. Right now, that house is burning. 

By not acknowledging and condemning racism specifically *against the black community*—and by this I don’t just mean George Floyd, I mean the racist policies that have oppressed black Americans and enriched white Americans for centuries—you are not showing your fans that they need to put out the fire. You’re saying “We love all houses. Fire is bad.” And allowing yourself community to follow your example by affirming “yes, houses are good. Fire is bad.” While they all watch the black community’s house burn to the ground.

The comments on Hanson’s social media the last several days make it abundantly clear that this fan base includes many white women who are unaware of their white privilege at best, and entertaining actively racist beliefs at worst. I am deeply disheartened that, as a band with a large and devoted following you would decline opportunity to tell your community that we all have work to do to support our black neighbors and right the wrongs that have been inflicted upon them in this country.

I like what I’ve heard so far from the new EP, but I can’t in good faith give any more money to a band that cannot rise to the level of having hard conversations about what’s really going on right now, affirming their support for the black community by name, and showing their followers why they need to be better. I will not be renewing my HNET membership this year."

I wasn't going to comment on this because I know I won't say it as well as others, but it needs to be said. Like many fans, I grew up with you guys and feel a deep sense of connection with you that goes way beyond "oh, I like that band". The messages in your music and your actions have not been lost on me. Often, you have provided inspiration and guidance for me to want to be a better human. I didn't need to see any type of response from you to know what is in your hearts and that you take action against racism in your own ways. My support of the band has never wavered, even in those couple of moments that you disappointed me (unrelated to anything recent). Let's get back to the music. :)

Words are a powerful thing and you have the right to say it in whatever way you want. The message is the same, the words MEAN the same thing whether you use a hashtag or not. 

I support Hanson. We all can change the world in our own way; with our own words and actions. We’re all headed for the same solutions and we all want the same results; for America’s black community to raise from oppression, police brutality to be absolutely not tolerated or allowed. Love and kindness for the diverse way we can accomplish these things will create for better unity and a higher portion of people putting their foot on the gas to ensure this is accomplished. Let’s acknowledge that all our hearts bleed to see this happen, and celebrate the different ways that we can come together. I pray for my country, the world, those oppressed, those in office, those hurting, and for these three men (and their staff.) May God help us by giving us strength to stay kind during these tremulous times. 

thanku guys for your words

From the band: As artists, we have always believed that our primary role is to make a better world through the messages in our music - light, love, hope, and respect for all people.

Okay I will just listen to Hanson's music and hope America corrects itself.

Everything Hanson has said so far in their statements, in my opinion, has held a meaningful place for me! I certainly do not need Hanson to spell out the wrongs of history for me to see the injustice in the world! Their statements so far have not only implied a great love for a beautiful culture but have also denounced all actions that hinder equality, while still participating in their philanthropic initiatives outside of social media, as well as, being a band, which illustrates to me that Hanson is making a conscious effort to communicate that there is more to being said about the human experience then making a simple statement.

If that opinion is offensive to hear then rest assured so is watching someone being forced into changing their opinion overnight when no one knows what anyone else is going through right now. No one is perfect, we all mistakes, and we all have the opportunity to learn and grow! Unfortunately no one is correct in this global crisis at the moment and we all need to listen and understand each other if we want be heard and make things right. Hard conversations unfortunately do not equal being forced into someone else’s opinion of what statement will eradicate racism immediately, it is a lot more in depth than that, and if done incorrectly, can often put someone on the defensive making them fee they don't owe anyone anything. 

I come to Hanson.net to enjoy music, HANSON, and its community, a light in an already harsh world, and I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. What I do in my personal life and what Hanson does in their personal lives to try and come to terms with the injustice in the world is a personal life-long journey unique to each individual, But Yes, we all play a part! 

I have also learned a lot of in the last week, which I am so grateful for. It is refreshing to see that there is STILL A LOT OF LOVE IN THE WORLD - I believe love comes in all forms, and one of those forms concerns standing up for what is right!