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Manner of Speaking
Joined: 09 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2005 11:46 pm Post subject: |
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I didn't interrupt the game at that point...but I would like to teach them at some other time, that such attitudes are not acceptable. Maybe this behaviour is common or acceptable among other Koreans, but this is something that they need to learn about, and no one else will likely ever teach them that it is wrong. It is 2005, and people should not think that way in this day in age....regardless of where they live. There is no excuse. We are all human!
I encountered this sort of thinking last semester, and I taught my students about racism, prejudice, etc and the importance of accepting all people regadless of age, gender, ability, race... and other foreigners here told me not to do it, that they didn't know any better and I should leave it alone....but if I don't do something, they will never know that it is wrong, and this sort of thinking will continue. This is high school....they should know by now...it's not as if I am teaching elementary(or am I?). |
Whenever I've encountered, here in Korea, what would be called racism back home in Western countries, it's always given me the opportunity to take a closer look at the issue, how it's framed, it's origin and causes back home, and how 'relevant' my own culture's perspective is on it in relation to the Korean situation. I've always taken a dim view of the perspective that racism is not "correct" thinking or behavior, because to me it smacks (slightly) of an inability to take a look at one's own cultural presuppositions on an issue, and a presupposition that western perspectives on racism are always "right" or "correct". Part of the reason why the term "political correctness" got started was the tendency among some to assume that developing an appreciation of cultures and viewpoints different from your own consists...primarly of delineating boundaries of "unacceptable" behavior.
I used to read an international development magazine called The New Internationalist, but I finally got tired of how they always seemed to advance a "correct" perspective or solution to a development issue...even if, in reality, the issue didn't lend itself to easy or pat solutions.
Our perspectives (as westerners, native English teachers) on racism derive from a shared history, a long history of ethnic and racial conflict. As a homogenous culture, Koreans don't have that shared history or perspective. Hence the attitudes of some high school students may make perfect sense, relative to the history of their own culture. I'm not saying it's right to excuse racism when it pops up; what I'm saying is, I think it makes more sense to approach it from a positive perspective by planting and encouraging (even if only to a modest extent) an appreciation of different cultures.
Last year, I taught in an elementary school. Because the kids were getting bored with grammar, I downloaded the song The Lion Sleeps Tonight (a very old South African song and arguably one of the earliest examples of World Music), overdubbed it to the opening scenes of the movie The Lion King. I taught the kids a little bit about the history and culture of South Africa, taught them the Xosa word for "lion" (umbumbwe) and the whole class learned the song together. They absolutely loved it.
To me it makes more sense to ignore the racist comments in class when they pop up, and instead counter it with lessons to develop an appreciation of other cultures. THEN eventually lead them to the point where they come to the conclusion, themselves, that racism makes no sense. And is hurtful. Because unless you establish that foundation in their minds for WHY it makes no sense, they're not going to see a rational basis for your claims that it is simply "unacceptable."
IMHO. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sat Apr 16, 2005 7:08 pm Post subject: |
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| Merlyn wrote: |
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Well most Koreans I know do look down on Africa. And most seem afraid of blacks. The kids learn this by age 8.
Yes, indeed, Korea is a very racist nation. |
Well, it isn't true from the OP. Africa doesn't have a whole lot of success stories and certainly doesn't have a whole lot of model countries. |
Might this have something to do with the fact that not a single border in Africa was drawn by an African? Look at what happened to Korea after a few American officers decided to draw an arbitrary line. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 7:18 am Post subject: |
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| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| [? Look at what happened to Korea after a few American officers decided to draw an arbitrary line. |
And the Russians had nothing to do with that whatsoever. Nor did the Chinese. 
Korea was divided as that was the best deal that Americans could get at the time. However it was never intended that Korea should stay divided. The fact that Korea is still divided today and the blame for such fact rests principally with the Chinese government at the time. |
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Yu_Bum_suk
Joined: 25 Dec 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 17, 2005 3:49 pm Post subject: |
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| TheUrbanMyth wrote: |
| Yu_Bum_suk wrote: |
| [? Look at what happened to Korea after a few American officers decided to draw an arbitrary line. |
And the Russians had nothing to do with that whatsoever. Nor did the Chinese.
Korea was divided as that was the best deal that Americans could get at the time. However it was never intended that Korea should stay divided. The fact that Korea is still divided today and the blame for such fact rests principally with the Chinese government at the time. |
Of course the Soviets and Chinese had much to do with it, just like it wasn't only the British who messed up Africa. But the point is that one can't just dismiss Africa's political problems as an 'African' problem when they're much the result of years of others trying to determine its destiny. |
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steroidmaximus
Joined: 27 Jan 2003
Location: GangWon-Do
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 6:38 am Post subject: missionary position |
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| an interesting lecture and paper related to this subject can be found here. Flash presentation, 36 minutes long |
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jajdude
Joined: 18 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 9:55 am Post subject: |
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| It seems hard to educate most Korean kids about racism. How aware are they of other races anyway, except in an abstract, otherworldly way? Some have met a few foreign teachers. I have taught middle and high schoolers, and met adults, who had not met a foreigner before me (and not only in Korea). |
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buymybook
Joined: 21 Feb 2005
Location: Telluride
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| Posted: Mon May 02, 2005 2:41 pm Post subject: Activity |
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Koreabound2004-be careful if you do this. But Merlyn suggested you do an activity so here it goes, you may have heard of it before. The participants, during the exercise, react exactly as people everywhere do.
However, I'm not sure if it has been conducted is Asia or Korea? This activity/experiment has been conducted since 1968 where it began in Iowa.
Korean children/adults could be divided into groups of black/brown eyes.
Click or log on below to read about Jane Elliot, she has a video and I suggest you see it before conducting such an activity.
pm me to let me know if or how it goes! I saw it on "Frontline" awhile back.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/divided/etc/crusade.html |
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agraham
Joined: 19 Aug 2004
Location: Daegu, Korea
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 2:49 am Post subject: Re: missionary position |
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| steroidmaximus wrote: |
| an interesting lecture and paper related to this subject can be found here. Flash presentation, 36 minutes long |
Excellent presentation. Definate food for thought steroid. |
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 3:44 am Post subject: |
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I think hagwons themselves, and the whole esl boom since the 90's has helped to challenge the inherent racism here in a way.
If only all koreans were as comfortable around me as all my kids are- and will hopefully continue to be as they grow older.
But no: outside of work I'm faced with the daily exhibitions of discomfort and shock from Koreans who obviously have never had any contact with a foreigner before- or very little.
As I speak, the row of seats next to mine in the PC bang is empty as always. The predictable stream of Koreans about to sit down, then noticing I am not Korean, suddenly pretending something is wrong with the computer and then moving off to find another seat. I just roll my eyes..but dammit I wish my Korean was strong enough to challenge every one of these racists as to why exactly they are so petrified to be around foreigners.
I often think koreans have almost evolved into a separate species, never mind, race. Being cut off as the hermit Kingdom for centuries has obviously done some serious damage to their psyches.
One thing for sure is that the next time I encounter koreans in a different country, I'll make a big fuss about not sitting next to them. Perhaps even whisper to all passers by that koreans have tails, are born with blue patches and have a pregnancy of 11 months instead of the usual human 9. |
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AdamH
Joined: 27 Aug 2004
Location: Bachman Turner Overdrive...Let's Rock!
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 6:37 am Post subject: |
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Don't forget webbed feet, Rapier.
Funnily enough some guy pulled exactly the same stunt in the PC bang I'm in now. Oh well, more elbow room for me! The guys who run the place are great though, I always get treated well in here. Just little things, but they make a good impression and keep my custom. |
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turtlepi1
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 6:37 am Post subject: |
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| rapier wrote: |
But no: outside of work I'm faced with the daily exhibitions of discomfort and shock from Koreans who obviously have never had any contact with a foreigner before- or very little.
As I speak, the row of seats next to mine in the PC bang is empty as always. The predictable stream of Koreans about to sit down, then noticing I am not Korean, suddenly pretending something is wrong with the computer and then moving off to find another seat. I just roll my eyes..but dammit I wish my Korean was strong enough to challenge every one of these racists as to why exactly they are so petrified to be around foreigners.
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Not only have I not experienced this as a foreigner in Korea. My experience was the exact opposite. Kids and adults in the PC bang always sat next to me. Kids mocking my starcraft ability and adults teaching me to play that stupid card game they all play. I've also never had the I'm not sitting next to the foreigner experience on the train.
I'm not discounting your experience as I know many others share similar stories, but I wonder at least in part if it is a vibe that we give off.
And sure you will find younger koreans that are "prejudice" against minorities, but you will also notice they know it isn't completely acceptable. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 7:27 am Post subject: |
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| dulouz wrote: |
| The people promoting this cause have an ethics problem. You were hired to teach English, not social studies. Thats gross contract violation. I'm not surprised by this. The character of so many of these folks is lacking. Make an extreme accusation as a distraction and then proceed to do whatever you want regqardless of the contract stipulations. The Koreans outlook is distateful but sans any validity via convictions, international comdenation beyond gossip and any valid human rights violation your efforts are simply self flagellation at best and civil law violations at worse. If you want to protest, make a sign, take a Saturday and protest down at COEX. |
Nonsense. Racism as a problem is part of Western culture, and part of just about any other culture for that matter. Language is entwined with culture. For lower-level classes there is nothing wrong with mentioning to your students that such comments are wrong. For higher-level classes you could make it a topic of free-talking and rationally and calmly explain how and why racism is wrong. Sure you could just say nothing and that is your choice, but silence implies consent. |
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TECO
Joined: 20 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 8:22 am Post subject: |
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| turtlepi1 wrote: |
Not only have I not experienced this as a foreigner in Korea. My experience was the exact opposite. Kids and adults in the PC bang always sat next to me. Kids mocking my starcraft ability and adults teaching me to play that stupid card game they all play. I've also never had the I'm not sitting next to the foreigner experience on the train.
I'm not discounting your experience as I know many others share similar stories, but I wonder at least in part if it is a vibe that we give off.
And sure you will find younger koreans that are "prejudice" against minorities, but you will also notice they know it isn't completely acceptable. |
The last seat on the train in Tokyo is invariably next to a foreigner.
What kind of "Vibe" are you suggesting, poster? |
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turtlepi1
Joined: 15 Jun 2004
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 9:07 am Post subject: |
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| TECO wrote: |
| turtlepi1 wrote: |
Not only have I not experienced this as a foreigner in Korea. My experience was the exact opposite. Kids and adults in the PC bang always sat next to me. Kids mocking my starcraft ability and adults teaching me to play that stupid card game they all play. I've also never had the I'm not sitting next to the foreigner experience on the train.
I'm not discounting your experience as I know many others share similar stories, but I wonder at least in part if it is a vibe that we give off.
And sure you will find younger koreans that are "prejudice" against minorities, but you will also notice they know it isn't completely acceptable. |
The last seat on the train in Tokyo is invariably next to a foreigner.
What kind of "Vibe" are you suggesting, poster? |
With all of the american GI's raping and pillaging their women it is no wonder? I don't know what do you want me to say? Are you saying it is unnatural for people to gravitate to towards people they identify as similar to themselves and by doing so this is somehow racist? |
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dulouz
Joined: 04 Feb 2003
Location: Uranus
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| Posted: Tue May 03, 2005 11:17 am Post subject: |
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I really don't enjoy the company of the PC crowd. The PC crowd has such sanctamoniousness its ill inspiring. Why do you think you can get away with this statment?
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| With all of the american GI's raping and pillaging their women it is no wonder? |
All of them? The Japanese invaded here twice, but since they are not White, you let them off the hook. You did that because you are racist. |
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