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Mosley
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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 Posted: Sun Dec 21, 2003 9:09 pm Post subject: Insults instead of argument... |
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| ...are the hallmarks of the intellectually dishonest & defeated. I've nothing against honourable forms of activism. I didn't 20 years ago & I won't 20 years from now. I DO have something against sanctimonious pseudo-activism that comes from the effete. I hope, finally, that this "old man" can give you a practical and personal demonstration of how youth can not be relied on solely for...what can we call it...a victorious outcome in various situations.... |
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Tiberious aka Sparkles
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 4:49 am Post subject: |
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One wonders, old man, why someone who works in a country where youth is valued and the middle-aged -- particularly, foreign jobseekers -- continually get the shaft, why you loathe my criticism so.
It could instead be ageism (a term us Noam Chomsky buffs coined) I'm criticizing. Would you then feel so resentful (for it is resentement, no two ways about it) towards my critique of the job ads?
There is something profoundly disturbing about your malignant distaste for us "good guys" who are trying (not to change the world, for my delusions run a few steps shy of grandeur) to shift the accepted-yet-inherrently-racist paradigm. Mayhaps you were once a hippy who grew up, got involved in the bond market and traded your bell-bottom jeans for some nifty, pinstriped Armani slacks; and the haunting reminder that you "sold out" (but not in my books, mosburger; never in my books) causes you to venomously oppose those who were once like you: those whose principles have yet to become crippled and worn away. And the idea that said principles might one day do so makes you grin, for it would give you infinite comfort to know that you are not weak; that you are only human, after all. But the fear that my principles (or those of my comrades: people of all colors, creeds and postal codes) will not bend; will not break; that, mosburger, must keep you awake at night.
You are a resentful, angry man. But I must apologize. Firstly to myself, for I am giving you advice that a shrink charges a fortune for; and secondly to you, dear mosburger. I can only guess how devastating it must feel to be intellectually bested by a man half your age, and I never meant to make a grown man cry (I apologize a trillion times); and it being the holiday season and all, I'd like to let this crazy little internet tryst be forgotten.
If you want, I'll send you a snazzy card; but only if you promise to make "I will not player-hate today's youth, and vow to repaint my living room walls an awsomely drab yellow" your New Year's resolution.
Simple, no?
Happy Kwanzaa, mosley.
Starkles*_* (the gift that keeps on giving) |
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Mosley
Joined: 15 Jan 2003
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| Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2003 5:06 pm Post subject: Intellectually bested indeed, Sigmund.... |
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Yep, hard to compete w/a guy that comes up w/"Mosburger"(how Wildean). Your powers of psychoanalysis are truly remarkable: by a few internet postings you know everything about my psyche(I'm surprised you didn't mention my mother's maiden as well) and my "tortured" past(LOL). I'm sure your PM box will be full of pleas for the right to stretch out on your couch and reveal all for W500/hr. But let's focus instead on your detective work, Sherlock.
Yes, after achieving success a la Gordon Gecko, I was able to indulge in my lifetime early-retirement dream:teaching EFL in South Korea. **** that "beach in Thailand" noise. Well, not quite so elementary, eh, Watson. Here's the real story, "comrade": 1. never owned shares in my life. 2. I've always been immune to the sanctimonious fantasies of middle-class, university "educated" youth. One of my fondest memories(newswise) of the early '70s, when I was a teenager, is of "hard hats" laying a licking on the "good guys" in NYC. "Good guys", you know, like Jerry Rubin(the radical- turned- stockbroker). "Good guys" who supported totalitarian tyrannies while the real oppressed were fighting a war for them.
I know all about you "good guys" and the joy you've brought to the working masses in the West: affirmative action, gun control, crushing taxes, political correctness, etc. ad nauseum. Today's "good guys" march in "peace" rallies sponsored by Stalinists(e.g International ANSWER-THEY are anti-racist to the nth degree...how noble). Get the idea, Noam?
I'll leave it at that. As you said, it's the holiday season and your sincere and hearfelt season's greetings touched my heart so(well, if I had one, eh, "comrade"?) that even though I'm agnostic, I'm moved to respond in kind:
A Happy *$#@%$^! Hannakah to you too! |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 3:25 am Post subject: |
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As pointed out before, slavery was not abolished in the US because the good ole' boys suddenly said "Gee I guess this is wrong, we better let these people go so they can live like human beings". No, slavery was abolished through pressure. If racism suits the leading elite, it will never be removed by thier own volition. How is anyone going to affect any change by quitting their job and going home? No one is going to know or care why you did it, so it's hardly going to register as a protest. And then what are you going to do from thousands of miles away?
Institutions are more likely to be changed from within, by people who have established respect, and have a stake in the proceedings. That includes western teachers in the education system here. Sure, the bulk of the change will come from Koreans. But this is not a credibility contest, you don't have to become a raging activist or do nothing at all. There are options in between. If we, as insiders, have earned the respect and trust of our Korean co-workers, and if we have developed a reputation with our work, perhaps we are in a better postion to put forward, through gentle reason not force, some ideas about racism that may in fact be listened to. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 4:29 am Post subject: |
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| kiwiboy_nz_99 wrote: |
If we, as insiders, have earned the respect and trust of our Korean co-workers, and if we have developed a reputation with our work, . |
We have developed a reputation with our work...and it's not a good one. But it is well-deserved judging by many posts on this board. A lot of people here don't take their job seriously "oh it's just babysitting." As long as people come over here with that attitude, NONE of us will be taken seriously. The minute we move to a new job, we have to prove ourselves all over again. What we need to develop a good reputation is first of all tougher standards and tougher punishments for those over here illegally. Then and only then can we develop a better reputation. As it stands now, Koreans don't respect hakwon teachers. If they knew we had higher standards to meet, maybe we could earn some respect and thereby enable our voice to be heard. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 4:34 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: |
| We have developed a reputation with our work...and it's not a good one. But it is well-deserved judging by many posts on this board. A lot of people here don't take their job seriously "oh it's just babysitting." As long as people come over here with that attitude, NONE of us will be taken seriously. The minute we move to a new job, we have to prove ourselves all over again. What we need to develop a good reputation is first of all tougher standards and tougher punishments for those over here illegally. Then and only then can we develop a better reputation. As it stands now, Koreans don't respect hakwon teachers. If they knew we had higher standards to meet, maybe we could earn some respect and thereby enable our voice to be heard. |
Individuals can earn respect from bosses on a one to one basis though.
As for getting a higher standard of teacher over here, I'm not sure Hagwon owners want that, it's a two way street. In order for that to happen, they would have to offer a better package, and stop shafting people. Korea has the worst rep of all esl destinations regarding contract breaking and bad treatment from bosses, barring maybe Taiwan. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 5:33 pm Post subject: |
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[quote="kiwiboy_nz_99"]
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As for getting a higher standard of teacher over here, I'm not sure Hagwon owners want that, it's a two way street. In order for that to happen, they would have to offer a better package, and stop shafting people. Korea has the worst rep of all esl destinations regarding contract breaking and bad treatment from bosses, barring maybe Taiwan. |
Exactly my point. You claimed that you were a certified teacher and thus would be willing to take your chances in a racially diverse market. And I pointed out that Hakwon owners don't care about qualifications in the main. If say, Filippinos were allowed over here to teach, how many of us would have jobs? When your competitor is willing to work for 800,000 won, but is unqualified, and you are qualified but want 2 million, who is the typical hakwon boss going to choose?
We both know the answer to that one. Sure there are a few bosses out there who want qualified experienced teachers. But the competition for THOSE jobs would be so fierce, that even someone with your qualifications would likely lose out to someone with say, a Master's and five years experience.
That is why I said we benefit from a racist policy. There are many, many people out there (not just from the Philippines) who speak English well enough to teach it. And they would be willing to work for far, far less than we are. They are just not able to though, because they come from a country whose citizens are not eligible for an E-2 visa. |
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kiwiboy_nz_99
Joined: 05 Jul 2003
Location: ...Enlightenment...
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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| And I pointed out that Hakwon owners don't care about qualifications in the main |
How can you say this, they in fact insist on a degree, and I would hazard a guess that they would prefer an English degree over another, and a masters over that if all other aspects were equal between two candidates. |
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TheUrbanMyth
Joined: 28 Jan 2003
Location: Retired
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| Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2003 11:44 pm Post subject: |
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| kiwiboy_nz_99 wrote: |
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| And I pointed out that Hakwon owners don't care about qualifications in the main |
How can you say this, they in fact insist on a degree, and I would hazard a guess that they would prefer an English degree over another, and a masters over that if all other aspects were equal between two candidates. |
Whoops, should have clarified that. Yes you need a degree, but that does not make you a "qualifed" teacher. I am talking about the qualifications needed to teach back in the West. You need more than just a B.A. Yes if ALL OTHER ASPECTS WERE EQUAL....but that is not what I said. We have two people (in this hypothetical situation) one person is unqualified but has a degree. The other person is qualified AND has a degree. The first one is willing to work for 800,000 won. The second one wants two million. Which one is the TYPICAL hakwon owner likely to choose? Both you and I know it's likely to be number one. The fact you choose to ignore the question and focus on a red herring indicates to me that you know it. |
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Tiberious aka Sparkles
Joined: 23 Jan 2003
Location: I'm one cool cat!
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| Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2004 4:44 am Post subject: |
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As a follow-up, I did e-mail Mr. S, asking him his opinion about the ads on the Job Board and inviting him to respond either here (where everyone could see his response) or to my personal e-mail address (where I would, out of respect for privacy, keep his response to myself).
So far, no reply. I am, however, keeping my fingers and toes crossed 
I do realize he is a busy Man.
Sparkles*_* |
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JW
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:26 am Post subject: |
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| I'd actually rather them place "whites need only apply" in the ads. It would make my search easier. I can't tell you how many positive emails or calls I receive after schools view my cover and resume only to have them give me the cold shoulder after finding out that I'm black. It is a waste of my time and positive energy. It is no secret that there are many racist school owners here. I'd prefer that they make themselves known so that I can avoid them (if that is possible). |
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JW
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2004 5:39 am Post subject: |
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"we only hire young white Americans", or "colored folk free since 1993!"
Tiberious you kill me! I know I'm late to this topic but this is ill.
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