Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Gibberish]

...in Korea. This article is fantastic, I highly suggest reading it, or at least skimming over the various main sections. It describes the complete whole of NET discrimination, racist groups, propaganda, causation, and brings to light some other interesting issues. Essentially, it sums up the idea that, to Koreans in general, all white males who come to Korea are drug-selling rapists with AIDS. It really nails down the general Xenophobia and cultural divide between native Koreans and the teachers. Even if you've got 100 great Korean friends (which no one does) and you're loved by everyone around you, you'll understand the feeling of being the outsider.

Warning, it's long, but worth a read if you've got time or if you're desk warming today.
http://2009hunma358.blogspot.com/2009/09/1.html

[nautilus]

I suppose I'm left with a sort of wondering sympathy for these poor tortured, feverish and incredibly tiny, insecure minds that are behind such racial hatred.
Its so ridiculous that I can barely take it seriously.

[Steelrails]

Right, because my fellow white male co-teachers all feel like they are regarded as potential rapists.

Speak for yourselves, not for the many white, male, FTs out there that don't have this perception at all.

[fermentation]

[benji1422]

What are you worried about ? They don't have guns.

[calicoe]

No, they can just punch, kick and drag you around in the street, and then have the cops arrest and throw you in jail.

That's all.

And heaven help you if you so much as throw a punch ...

[I'm no Picasso]

I get just as angry about this kind of nonsense as the next person, but I think dwelling on it is just... I don't know.

It's not everybody. I don't even think it's a majority. And over time, as more and more foreigners come to Korea, it will change. We're here at an unlucky time, when Korea is really struggling with these issues and having to face becoming "international" in some senses.

Granted, I am not a man, and I am let off the hook on a lot of this baloney because of that. I've had more than one Korean complain to me about "foreigners" and "bad behavior" and the qualify it with, "Well not you of course -- you're a woman. I'm talking about the men." In general, because of the broad gender distinctions made in Korean culture, I am aware that I have it easier, in this sense.

Being aware of what's going on out there is important, not in the least because it's important that we make the Korean friends we do have aware of it, as well. My Korean friends have been appalled when I've shown them things like the Anti-English Spectrum Cafe website. A lot of them aren't even aware things like this exist. Or they haven't been paying enough attention (from our perspective) to the newspapers to notice how often one of these ridiculous xenophobic stories gets published.

But in your daily life, dwelling on it is just going to make you miserable. Surround yourself with people who aren't backwoods and you'll be alright. As for the rest of it, it will change overtime. It has to.

[alpope23]

[sojusucks]

The article asks the question, Who is "Anti-English Spectrum"? Examine the source of the funding.

[fermentation]

[nautilus]

[Steelrails]

Q: How large is the Anti-English Spectrum? How does this compare to other orgs. in developed countries in terms of membership.

Now, should we act like the AES is this dominating political group or should we treat it like the fringe group it is.

If the AES were not a fringe group we would not get statements like this-

[Goon-Yang]

Things in the future will be better? Who said that? Are they sure? Things were3n't this bad ten years ago. Sure you'd get more of the "there is a foreigner" stare, but all this crap in the media...things might get worse.

[freethought]

[nautilus]