Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Omkara]

Worth some re-circulation:

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=SsV2O4fCgjk

[Suwon23]

I think the last thing Obama wants to be is "The Black Candidate." He's tried (with some success) to avoid pandering to black voters to hard, because he knows it's a tall order convincing white voters that he will fight for them as well. I can see why black people would be proud (although Obama is only half black, and that half is from Kenya, so it's not like he has any anscestors who lived through slavery or the early stages of the civil rights movement), and it's certainly a milestone for racial equality. But focusing on his "blackness" is a bad idea politically, and a bad idea ethically, as it returns people's attention to the issue of race.

[Omkara]

I read an interesting essay a few years ago. It had to do with American "racism." The argument was that it has little to do with skin color.

Take for example a Jamaican. When a Jamaican comes to America, because of the dialect, he or she enjoys a status that mainstream African-Americans do not. When his or her children assimilate, the children lose that dialect, speak like mainstream African Americans, and lose status.

This is the only minority group that has this issue. When Asians come to America, their dialect or accent is a burden. Once their children speak as mainstream Americans, their status goes up.

Much of America's dark racial history is associated with mainstream African-American accents. That is, the problem is more historical than strictly racial. This is what gives American racial politics its unique dynamic.

Barak Obama does not have that mainstream accent strongly present in his speech. So, he does not set of so many of the old prejudice bells.

I've noticed that when Michelle Obama speaks, her manner of speaking is more strongly mainstream African American.

Being of the culture, I feel the subconscious prejudice bells go off when she speaks in that manner. When she does, I can feel the prejudice in my culture irrationally responding to it in a negative way. Though I think she's a great woman, I worry when she speaks, not because of the contents of what she'd say, but because the black issue is tangled up in the language she inherited.

It's less of a racial issue than we'd first assume. It is a culture-specific historical issue. That history is in the accents of the language. Obama transcends the racial issue largely because of his language. Those who'd vote against him based on race are more clearly racist therefore.

[SirFink]

[Omkara]

[quote="SirFink"]

[Kuros]

[PBRstreetgang21]

The thing about Obama is that he is just as much white as he is black. Yet we still operate under the assumption that mixed race= Black.

And its not "a sign of hope" in America when people are swayed by men with no experience, no accomplishments, and no real agenda save for the nebulous idea of "change".

Please take a number and return to the line when you have a new idea. Hes not a bad guy but let me say, its gonna be a sad day for the Obama supporters when he takes office, and then comes in and tells us "we'll be staying the course in Iraq" Or when he leaves office without any National Health Insurance, or.... etc etc

[travel zen]

I don't know why the issue of race is so prevalent in America.

The Canadian General Secretary was chinese, now black, and the issue of race hasn't been anything but a small footnote. In America, why do people have to take sides and wonder "what side will Obama be on?" What the hell? If he is a good leader, he will be on the American side.

I swear, it's always shocking to read some of you dudes talk about politics, and black/white issues. Aren't there more Asians in America than black? What about white/yellow issues?

It all seems very 1800's and colonial to me.

[Omkara]

Ahh. . .as an outsider it's hard to understand. It is deep in our history. We fought a civil war over it.

Anybody have any good links to show some of the deep atrocities? Men burned alive, hung from trees, their limbs severed and brought home for souvenirs?

I wish we could say this was 1800's stuff. But, Obama's nomination is a powerful symbol of change.

American race relations have their own character, for sure.

I wish I had some time in the moment to find some interesting links. . .

[Omkara]

http://www.etymonline.com/cw/zach.htm

From the essay: "As I read the newspaper accounts of the scene enacted here in Coatesville a year ago, I seemed to get a glimpse into the unconscious soul of this country. I saw a seldom revealed picture of the American heart and of the American nature. I seemed to be looking into the heart of the criminal � a cold thing, an awful thing. I said to myself, "I shall forget this, we shall all forget it; but it will be there."

[Ukon]

[PBRstreetgang21]

Yeah asians are a VERY small percentage of the population.

There are however, more latino's then there are blacks.

The thing about asians is that they tend to work independent of the rest of the society. Not all of them but a lot, especially the first and second generations. Mexicans may all live together and eat at mexican resturants and shop in mexican stores, etc etc. Blacks as well. But blacks and mexicans are more likely to be working for a white guy. The Korean family comes in and work JUST with other Koreans. Same with the viets, etc etc. Im not saying its ALWAYS the case. But you find it far more true of those groups. Therefore they insulate themselves.

Black-White relations well....we are STILL working out the kinks for slavery. People tend to forget....slaver ended in what 1865? Thats less that 200yrs ago. Plus, if you wanna get technical, blacks were not reall emanicpated until 1965. I think for all the racism that occurs in the US between all groups, none really is as violent, prevalent, and as complicated at the between Blacks and Whites.

Although I will not be voting for Obama. I must say, I NEVER though I would live to see this day, and I truly think this means a lot. I dont think the Great MLK jr ever could have forseen this. This isnt the end of racism but it seems to me like it may be the beginning of the end.

[PBRstreetgang21]

also, canadians while not having the legacy of slavery, or having had a civil war, AND have less black people will make it less of an issue. I have heard from some of my Canadian friends that Canadians out in the praries, esp Alberta can be some of the most racist people. Havent been to that part of Canada, just going on what my friends who have lived out there have said.

[travel zen]

I see, but those events everyone seems to know. Especially the civil rights movement. I was in China and met a chinese girl who commented on how sad she felt after seeing ROOTS on t.v. Who doesn't know about the black experience in USA.. It honestly seems to shame America as well as cast America in a progressive light


I've heard the same about the praries from a friend who is Indian (subcontinent). He grew up in the Edmonton area and they thought he was black. He didn't have fun playing in their fight club everyday.

I could easliy forsee the day of a black, mexican, female and homosexual president in America. I don't think all Americans are red-necked and ignorant. New generations and immigration weeds that out in the end.

[sjrm]