Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kabrams]

Today in class, my co-teacher drew a picture of Japan on the board, but after some protests, she made it smaller.

Explaining her actions, she said, "Korea and Japan have some historical problems, so if I drew Japan bigger-" (she motions making a larger Japan) "-all the kids would protest!"

Then for five minutes she taught the class about how Japanese people can't say "computer" and "McDonalds" and "ha ha" isn't that funny.

I will not stand for this type of behavior in my class. I always include questions about Japan on any PPT I do, and when kids give me attitude about Japan, I ignore it.

It's one thing when the students do it, because honestly, they're just taking what they see from their parents, teachers, etc. But when a co-teacher who has actually spent time in Japan and speaks some Japanese reinforces this type of ridiculous behavior, I cannot stand for it.

Every time they find out I went to Uni in Japan, my coworkers ask me to compare. Compare this, compare that. Who is better? Who is smarter? Who is this? Who is that? It's getting on my last nerves.

I don't want to be rude, but I can't sit back and let the stereotyping and blame continue.

Any suggestions?

[beercanman]

It might change someday, long after we are dead. The land of grudges never forgets.

[bish]

[kabrams]

[hugekebab]

Well, I think it's a it unfair to just slam it as racism off the bat. The Japanese forcibly occupied this land and subjugated the population.

This is not an excuse, but must be taken into account on one level.

Another important thing is that it is important not to bring the more modern ideals of political correctness with you to Korea. The US didn't have them in the 60's and Korea doesn't have them now. It is simply unrealistic and unfair to expect students norms and values to adjust to your own more modern and arguably enlightened set of values that your society has imbued in you.

Saying that, the same thing gets on my nerves, but to fight it is in vain. You are not part of their society and they are not going to adhere to your opinion. The longer you are here, the more you will realise this (I don't mean that to sound patronising. I personally didn't fully appreciate this until after about 6 months in, although I was always aware of it on a superficial level.)

[Carla]

I also find that dealing with those topics is best done on a one to one basis. If you are talking to 2+ people, mob mentality sets in. No one will be willing to go against the norm and appear weak or traitorous.

People are much more open to new ideas if they are alone.

[warren pease]

The majority of my students named Japan as their favorite foreign country when I asked them.

[kirsi]

I find the korea hate really sad, too. I was a Japanese major at university and would love to go back there asap..

i was talking with my director (who otherwise seems to be extremely nice and helpful) and he was telling me that when he was younger people said that he looked japanese. he said "i hated that because i hate japanese". it was sad and i didn't know what to say

but last night i went to a restaurant and the table of girls next to us was a bunch of japanese here for a visit. and my japanese is awesome when i've been drinking, haha XD

[exit86]

I pretend not to know anything about the issue--as if Japan were any other nation deserving of respect for its culture, customs and people.

Stupidity and hatred have trouble existing if they aren't acknowledged.

I am somewhat of a Japanophile too.

[pkang0202]

Some cultures/peoples just don't like each other. Indians/Pakistanis. Serbians/Croatians. Protestants/Catholics in Ireland. French/Everyone else. Koreans/Japanese. Hmong/Vietnamese. Northern Italians/Southern Italians.


Honestlly, I don't know where you get the "Japanese hate". Most Koreans (and most of my high school students) want to visit Japan, study there, or even live there.

Hell, 70% of the students at my high school are studying Japanese. The other 30% are split over French, German, and Chinese. I'm at a Korean High School by the way.


You must teach Elementary school. By Middle School most students realize that Japan isn't as "evil" as they thought. By high school most students want to go there to visit. By the time they graduate University they want to live there.

[roadwork]

French/Everyone else...CLASSIC!!! (but true)

Lest we forget the hate of all hates -- Israelis and Palestinians

[I'm no Picasso]

[benji]

What about the Tutsis and Hutus? Thats some hate. Tongans and Samoans. Mexicans and Salvadoreans.

[The Gipkik]

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[Konglishman]