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Seoul Skye
Joined: 28 Feb 2003
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 Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:00 pm Post subject: Awareness Dawns |
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I received a call from a former student this morning who was worried about my welfare. His girlfriend, an elementary school teacher who is studying English at a hagwon, told him that a Canadian teacher at the hagwon was rather shaken after a group of students had grabbed her bicycle and basically destroyed it.
My former student and his girlfriend were shocked at the incident and he was nonplussed when I told him that anti-foreigner occurences weren't uncommon. I told him not to worry because I receive the alerts sent out by the U.S. Embassy and avoid the trouble spots. "What alerts!?!?!" he asked. He is a very intelligent, generally well-read individual and yet he really didn't have clue as to the challenges life in Korea presents for foreigners.
I've always avoided discussing the more unpleasant aspects of the anti-American attitudes with Koreans because it can be a real conversation stopper but now I'm beginning to think that maybe once in awhile we all need to gently remind our saner Korean friends and students about our reality, when it gets nasty. And, perhaps we should be more vocal as a group and push for some sort of formal government funded advocacy program. |
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On the other hand
Joined: 19 Apr 2003
Location: I walk along the avenue
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| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:14 pm Post subject: |
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Skye wrote:
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| And, perhaps we should be more vocal as a group and push for some sort of formal government funded advocacy program. |
Such a program should probably be conducted under the general banner of anti-racism, not simply "anti-anti-Americanism" or "anti-anti-ESLer". When that type of thing is undertaken in the west, its usually not "be nice to blacks" or "don't harass Jews", but just "be nice to everyone and don't harass anyone".
And there's always the "cart-horse" issue. I think anti-racism campaigns in the west have been successful, in part, because western socities were already well on their way to becoming multicultural when the programs were introduced. So, it wasn't just a case of "my teacher told me to be nice to minorities so I will be". Rather, it was "my teacher told me that minorities are okay, so I'll be nice to the minorities who are living and working with me side by side in my community". Perhaps my perspective is a little narrow, but it seems to me that the minorities Koreans are most likely to encounter on a regular basis are foreign language teachers, 3D workers, and maybe American GIs. Is this the most potent recipe for a "love your fellow man" campaign in Korea? And, let's face it, cultural liberalism isn't exactly being embraced by the elites over here. What impact will a TV ad preaching equality and tolerance have if it's immediately followed by news footage of some cabinet minister trying to whip up a frenzy over Dok-do island?
Plus, you've got the C word. In a Confucian society, as we all know, how you act toward others will depend to a large degree on where they fit into a pre-established system of social relations, which really has no parallel in the west. How many foreigners are truly interested in submitting to the dictates of that system? Probably not too many. But until we DO submit to those dictates, any educational appeals to notions of equality and fairness for all will likely have limited effect.
I agree that racism should be challenged, it's just that I don't think any government programs are likely to be effective, given the current social realities of Korea. At this stage of the game, its probably something best undertaken at an individual level, with foreigners challenging racism when confronted with it, and also striving to present the best image of themselves to the Korean public. But Skye's idea is an interesting one, if only as a hypothetical, and I'd be interested to hear what other posters think about it. |
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VanIslander
Joined: 18 Aug 2003
Location: Geoje, Hadong, Tongyeong,... now in a small coastal island town outside Gyeongsangnamdo!
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| Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 8:33 pm Post subject: |
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I think anti-Americanism and anti-foreigner sentiments are more prevalent in some regions of Korea than others.
I think so based on my great experiences (except for cabbies) and on those of that woman from the Phillippines in today's Korea Herald; in her editorial page letter she speaks of how welcoming and friendly the people of Tongyeong are (at the bridge to Geoje Island). Tongyeong is dubbed the Naples of the Orient, and it sure is a more relaxed and comfortable place compared to Busan.
I have noticed joy expressed about the fact that I'm not American, but I'ven't experienced any scowls or other attitudes that would indicate that foreigners in general aren't welcome. (Other than being budded out of line and served last sometimes, but that's another matter.)
With what I keep reading about Seoul, I'm almost convinced I shouldn't ever go there. (Except Elton John is dragging me up there kicking and screaming this September.) |
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