Korean Job Discussion Forums

[afsjesse]

I've read the other post about the anger of deleting posts that fairly or unfairly target Korea. Yesterday I recieved a message that a comment I made had been removed. However, I did not say anything insulting to Korea or Koreans. So I'm confused about it myself.

I wish to address the situation that is outlined in the title of this thread. First of all, I do not like or agree with people being "racist" or discriminatory towards Korea. This is a very different culture from the west and even if we disagree with something about it, we should not judge or insult Koreans for doing certain things related to customs or culture.

Nor do I agree with deleting posts that fairly critisize or seek further explanation of why Koreans do something that appears to be bad or wrong in foreigners eyes. The perfect example would be a typical Hagwon experience in which the boss fleeces you out of money and does not pay your overtime etc.... Or about how immigration, labor board, etc.... are incompetant in some peoples cases.

It is fact that foreigners in this country are looked down upon by a large percentage of people. To address these concerns and frustrations it is not unreasonable to state the facts on this board. However I do not think that the posters should bend their stories or perceptions to criticize the Korean race, people, or country.

There exists a very fine line between racism and criticism. I only ask that the MODS recognize this fact and look beyond their personal opinions so that Dave's can become a beacon of help that it has been for me in the past.

Just my 2 cents.

[greekvvedge]

i agree, and as that thin-line is hard to discern, I think the natural thing to do would be to avoid deleting posts unless they contain racist, sexist, or homophobic slurs themselves. expressing a view such as " the korean people are acting like idiots" regarding some issue like xenophobia may be distasteful, but I don't know if I'd call it racism and worthy of being deleted.

as far as 'not insulting customs and culture', i'm going to 'insult' Confucianism till the day I die. I can't help it, its in MY culture.

[Fishead soup]

Kimchi= Stomack cancer

[afsjesse]

Actually the two are linked according to some studies. High diets in salt, red pepper paste are thought to be the culprits. However I doubt this is what you meant by your comment.

[MrRogers]

also bad for the liver, teeth, bones

[ardis]

It may be a "fine line" but it's usually pretty clear to see which is racism and which is just criticism.

Criticism: "I wish Korea had more trash cans. It's so inconvenient to not have them, especially in the major downtown areas. It makes the city look dirty and more unorganized."

Racism: "Korea doesn't have any trash cans. WTF??? These people are freaking barbarians who don't know ANYTHING. Koreans are so filthy and disgusting. This would never happen back in the US."

Personal complaint: "My taxi driver was terrible and he ripped me off."

Racist complaint: "Why are Korean taxi drivers so horrible? Koreans are so immoral and have no qualms about stealing money from others. Only in Korea could something like this happen. Koreans are so dishonest."

[red_devil]

What do you expect? This is Dave's ESL Cafe forum. Even the most well intended "criticisms" post degrades into bashing within a few posts. There's not enough time in the day to separate the criticisms from the bashing in a topic. Deal with it, or better yet stop posting your frustrations on a message board. ROFL.

[greekvvedge]

I would make a racist statement such as this : Middle aged Korean hagwon owners are assholes and dont give a damn about you, for the most part.

is it a criticism or bashing?

[okokok]

I prefer bashing to criticizing.

[ttompatz]

[jajdude]

Maybe not racist if you just keep saying "some" or in the case of hagwon owners "most"....?

It does get tedious, however, to keep prefacing statements with "some" or "most"...

hopefully the discerning reader will get the point and realize an opinion is as valid as an asshole.