Korean Job Discussion Forums

[iluv2fly1]

I was speaking to a friend last week. He is African, but he is an older man who has Korean residency. He isn't the type to pick fights or deal drugs and he doesn't look like it. He went to Geckos with his Korean girlfriend and at the door they carded him and told him that Africans (even older calm Africans who aren't Nigerians and have no history of starting anything) are no longer welcome at Geckos. The story bothered me at the time, but I forgot about it.

Saturday night I went to Geckos with my boyfriend who is Canadian, but of Indian decent. As we walked in, he was carded and I was not (I am white). I complained to the manager about the discrimination and was told that there were two reasons for the policy. First they were trying to get rid of underage drinkers and second there have been fights started by Nigerians recently which have caused them to institute the policy. He confirmed that no one who is African is allowed into Geckos whether or not they have done anything wrong. He said that this policy is being instituted by a number of bars and clubs in Itaewon and specifically mentioned Polly's. I haven't been there recently, but in no other bar have I seen a difference in the treatment that my boyfriend and I receive.

This experience really bothered me. I am very upset that discrimination is growing in Itaewon. I know that there are Nigerian gangs that deal drugs in the bars and that some women are pressured by some African men, but I do not think that discrimination is ok and I do not like people being considered guilty until proven innocent.

I wanted to post this to encourage people to
1. vote with their feet when it comes to discrimination and
2. complain to the manager if you experience discrimination.

Perhaps if enough people complain or business suffers, they will return to removing people once they have shown themselves to be a problem or else carding people regardless of race.

[kingtout]

[shifdog]

I have witnessed this type of discrimination firsthand as well. An acquaintance of mine is a neo-Nazi skinhead. He was denied access to Tinpan 1 in Hongdae. There is a sign outside which states 'No G.I.s'. He was mistaken for an American G.I. because of his shaved head. Despite him showing the staff the swastika tattooed across his back, he was unable to enter. Apparently there is a strict policy against G.I.s. He was told to never return. He has never dealt drugs or started violence. Yet he was a blatant victim of Korean discrimination.

[blaseblasphemener]

Discrimination sucks. But, sorry to say, the Africans have no one to blame but themselves. It's the same deal with the U.S. troops. Too many of them have acted like morons in Korea over the years, so lots of clubs ban foreigners because of it. Same in Canada. Indians-"First Nations" cry foul about racism, but when non-natives look at natives in social/educational/begging/drunken/fighting situations over and over again, it leaves you with a negative impression.

Maybe getting banned will cause Africans in Korea to take a hard look at themselves, and start acting differently. But I highly doubt it.

[jcan]

[superacidjax]

[jay-shi]

[Ilsanman]

Sounds like my students, who never get it through their thick skulls, no matter how many times they are told, Africa is a continent made up of diverse nations, and not a country.

Maybe I should tell all asians to *beep* off, since Iraq and Iran are a bunch of terrorists. Koreans are also asians, right?

[happeningthang]

[ariellowen]

Haven't you all been in Korea long enough to see that this is not a big deal? If you weren't so closed-minded you might actually appreciate the Korean way of doing things. Sorry you gotta carry your Western prejudices here with you and go around enforcing your world view on others. If a people want to be exclusive, let them. Western anti-bigotry is essentially an economic policy: ''what! you won't let us sell our clocks and Big Macs here! You racists!''

[braunshade]

Black aficans are trouble makers in Itaewon.

[superacidjax]

[sojourner1]

I thought Itaewon was black people friendly as most of the stores cater to them in selling the American style hip hop clothing and the party scene. I saw lots of black brothas that appeared to be U.S. Army walking everywhere on Itaewon-ro when I went a few weeks ago.

Discrimination in Itaewon? Yes, I tried to rent a motel room and no motel ajumma out of 10 of them would rent to me on account of being American or Meegook. I would guess it's becuase a few before me misbehaved very badly. I rode the subway up to Anguk to the Jongno/Insadong area and they were friendly and accepting.

[happeningthang]

[Vancouver]