Korean Job Discussion Forums

naimah116 · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Location: Chicago

I have found this site incredibly helpful in answering a lot of the questions that have surfaced on my road to teaching in Seoul. However, I have found the level of vitriole folks feel towards Koreans really disappointing, particularly all the posts talking about how stupid and pointless their cultural practices or attitudes are. Or, rather, the feelings that it may be natural to develop after some really frustrating encounters but that a lot of people don't seem to be interested in turning into some more constructive cultural reflection. I guess I throw this out because:

1. I'm interested in seeing what others have to say in general. Do you believe it's okay to talk summarily about the "Korean people"? I see plenty of people calling others to task on this, but the majority of post topics I read seem to get around to "they're irritating, backward, stupid..."

2. It strikes me as ironic that so many people talk about the racism they experience from Koreans--and often times rightly so--but then use this message board as a haven to throw out some pretty hateful thoughts themselves.

3. It occurs to me, as a Black American, that if we (being non-whites in the west) responded in the same whining and vitriolic way that so many folks do here, many of you wouldn't like it so much. (And no, it isn't the exact same thing, but do know that I am not budging on the reality that really ugly racism against people who aren't white in our part of town still exists.)

Please don't read this as a "holier than thou" because I can have the same nasty thoughts and feelings as the next person. It's just sad to see so many college-educated people so consistently sinking to the level of racism (?) against Koreans on this message board. For those of you who have made these kinds of posts a habit, maybe it's time to go home.

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

Damn, I need a vacation. The writing skill goes into the toilet on an exponential basis.

naimah116 · Joined: 03 Feb 2007 Location: Chicago

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

It's just that alot of white folks here never had to deal with racism before, so it brings out alot of different responses. Some deal with it better than others.

Vancouver · Joined: 12 Dec 2006

Beej · Joined: 05 Mar 2005 Location: Eungam Loop

To the OP: if you are a black person and you are thinking of coming to teach in Korea, Im guessing you are going to change your tune rather quickly.

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

caniff · Joined: 03 Feb 2004 Location: All over the map

Before you get heated, you are aware that 'submission' has differing meanings, right?

This site is starting to depress me. I just know melon-boy, if he bothers to pipe in again, would misunderstand what I said.

Oh, shit. So much for that....

Unposter · Joined: 04 Jun 2006

The OP has valid points. Period.

Now, I don't want to sound apologetic, but what the hey...

Not everything written here is serious. Sometimes, it is hard to tell but posts are written in humor and posts are written in carthesis (sp?).

Second of all, it should not surprised anyone with a college degree that there is going to be a lot of culture shock whether the person realizes they are suffering from culture shock or not.

Three phases of culture shock:

1. Everything in the other culture is beautiful and perfect.
2. Everything in the other culture is horrible and evil.
3. Everything in the other culture is what it is and value judgements should be limited. (By value judgements are limited, we can say that genocide is wrong but eating dog meat is a curious cultural habit.)

If you believe 1 or 2 about Korea, you are suffering from culture shock.

The Korean government and Korean schools have yet to provide anything close (from what I can tell) to a proper orientation to life and work in Korea. Until then, it should not surprise anyone that there is difficulty in adjustment for many (all?).

If there has been one thing we have learned from studies of racism, it is that it is pervasive throughout all cultures and societies and it takes real reflection, education and action to notice it and make it less harmfull. And that such reflection, education and action while necessary is also of such sensitive matter that is difficult to do properly (still).

Also, the scurge of racisim is power. Even if there are Korean-racist on this board, and I for one would not and do not want to judge anyone, I don't think anyone here has the power to really do any damage to anyone.

People come here to comiserate, to learn and to educate. People come here because they have real needs (and joys). Let people talk and take the piss because that is a very healthful thing. If we are too blinded by PC rules, the laws of communication and understanding become victims as well.

I heard (something like) this somewhere: You learn more from criminals than from saints. When you see a criminal, thank them for providing a powerful lesson to you.

Oh heck, just let people be people as long as they are not hurting anyone.