Korean Job Discussion Forums

[vegetable]

The recruiter told me the school wanted a caucasian. Then he said North American.

Is this Racism or just ignorance?

[Arthur Fonzerelli]

Uhmmm, korea has only had one race for 5,000 years...

So, when you think they aren't being politically correct on race issues, please understand the cultural and historical context from which they speak....

I know it's difficult to understand being from the west, but this is the world in which we live....

[vegetable]

Arthur Fonzerelli wrote

[chi-chi]

mods you may delete

[crito03]

In response to the op question. Yes, yes it is racism. Too many apoligists in this country. Homogenity is not an excuse for any form of racism. Call a spade a spade.

[hellofaniceguy]

That's neither here or there..... koreans KNOW that the world exists and KNOW that they are not the only race. They travel the world, WEB and read books and magazines from all over the world. It's just that they, not all but most, are ignorant and DON'T want to make a change for the positive. I mean come on now; korea is the best country in the world! Ask any korean! It will NEVER be like life in the west in korea; they don't want to change unless there is some sort of financial reward in it for them. And even then it's a superfical change and then they revert back to the "norm;"
korean ways. You meet a korean in Canada or elsewhere and they sure are different!

[Ilsanman]

Currently, on the whole, I think it's an old way of thinking vs a new way of thinking.

I think people between the ages of 16 and 30 are open minded.
Younger than 16 and older than 30, they are conservative and racist, among other things.

The young ones, I believe, because they are not old enough to form their own opinions and their parents and TV poison their minds.

I had a student tell me they hate Pooshie (Bush). Given I am not a big fan of him, I asked anyways 'Why?'

I got silence. hey don't even know why.

I, and many foreigners, have to tolerate this kind of thing on a daily basis. If you think you can't handle it, then I also recommend Taiwan or Japan.

[jajdude]

I agree it is racism, but also business (perhaps). Though the kids, assuming you teach them, may adjust fine to a black person, the school owners say the parents want a white person. I have been asked quite a few times about my race over the telephone before they saw me or my photo. Not sure I'd want to be black in this country. It is sad, but perhaps part of the sheltered norm of this place, little exposure to foreigners and all that crap we've already beaten to death. And it probably seems immature or backwards to us, but hey, can't change others' thinking, not much anyway, unless you are very influential.