Korean Job Discussion Forums

[soyoungmikey]

Even though written about living in Japan. I wonder what you think when you substitute Japan for Korea in this article.

JUST BE CAUSE
Yes, I can use chopsticks: the everyday 'microaggressions' that grind us down

By DEBITO ARUDOU

Have you ever noticed how many interpersonal interactions in Japan are like "speed dates" of set questions?

For example, the taxi drivers who have the odd fascination about where you're from, whether you're married, how much you like Japan, and how hard you think the Japanese language is?

The barkeeps and clientele who try to slot you into their hackneyed preconceptions of some country and nationality, what you can and cannot eat, and (as things get drunker) how much you enjoy having physical liaisons with Japanese?

The neighbors who have a white-hot curiosity about how differently you raise your kids, what you fight with your spouse about, and how much you like Japan � regardless of how many years you've been interacting?

In the beginning, these were dismissible as just acts of awkward friendliness by people who didn't know how else to approach you. It at least made you really good in certain areas of Japanese conversation.

But after years of repeat games, boredom sets in, and you begin to realize two things: 1) that you can sleepwalk through most conversations, and 2) that, if you stay awake, you see there is a larger issue at play here: social control � something increasingly recognized by social psychologists as "microaggressions."

Microagressions, particularly those of a racialized nature, are, according to Dr. Derald Wing Sue in Psychology Today (Oct. 5, 2010), "the brief and everyday slights, insults, indignities, and denigrating messages sent to (visible minorities) by well-intentioned (members of an ethnic majority in a society) who are unaware of the hidden messages being communicated."

They include, in Japan's case, verbal cues (such as "You speak such good Japanese!" � after saying only a sentence or two � or "How long will you be in Japan?" regardless of whether a non-Japanese (NJ) might have lived the preponderance of their life here), nonverbal cues (people espying NJ and clutching their purse more tightly, or leaving the only empty train seat next to them), or environmental cues (media caricatures of NJ with exaggerated noses or excessive skin coloration, McDonald's "Mr. James" mascot (JBC, Sept. 1, 2009)).

Usually these are unconscious acts grounded in established discourses of interactions. Nobody "means" to make you feel alienated, different, out of place, or stereotyped.

But microaggressions are also subtle societal self-enforcement mechanisms to put people "in their place." For NJ, that "place" is usually the submissive status of "visitor" or "guest," with the Japanese questioner assuming the dominant position of "host" or "cultural representative of all Japan."

It's a powerful analytical tool. Now we have a word to describe why it gets discomfiting when people keep asking if you can use chopsticks (the assumption being that manual dexterity is linked to phenotype), or if you can eat nattō (same with taste buds), or if you'll be going "home" soon (meaning Japan is just a temporary stop in your life and you don't belong here). It can even help you realize why it's so difficult for the NJ long-termer to become a senpai in the workplace (since NJ subordination is so constant and renewed in daily interaction that it becomes normalized).

Now let's consider microaggression's effects. Dr. Sue's research suggests that subtle "microinsults and microinvalidations are potentially more harmful (than overt, conscious acts of racism) because of their invisibility, which puts (visible minorities) in a psychological bind."

For example, indicate that you dislike being treated this way and the aggressor will be confused; after all, the latter meant no harm, so therefore the NJ must just be overly "sensitive" � and therefore also "troublesome" to deal with. Resistance is not futile; it is in fact counterproductive.

Yet do nothing and research suggests that "aggressees" become psychologically drained over time by having to constantly question the validity of their position and devote energy to dealing with this normalized (and after a while, predictable) "othering" that nobody else (except � shudder � the alienated NJ barflies) seems to understand.

So in come the coping strategies. Some long-termers cultivate a circle of close friends (hopefully Japanese, but rarely so: JBC, Aug. 2, 2011), others just become hermits and keep to themselves. But those are temporary solutions. Sooner or later you have to take a taxi, deal with a restaurateur, have words with your neighbors.

And then, like it does for the hikikomori (the "shut-ins," who are also victims of other strains of microaggression), you begin to dread interacting with the outside world.

Therein lies the rub: Microaggressions have such power because they are invisible, the result of hegemonic social shorthand that sees people only at face value. But your being unable to protest them without coming off as paranoid means that the aggressor will never see that what they say might be taken as prejudiced or discriminatory.

The power of microaggression is perhaps a reason why activists like me occasion such venomous and obsessive criticism, even online stalkers.

I happen to fight the "big fights" (such as "Japanese Only" signs and rules, official propaganda about foreign crime). But I also fight microaggressions (the racist word "gaijin," the oddly destructive platitude of "ganbatte," the effects of NJ being addressed by name without a "san" attached), because after decades of experience I know where they lead to: perpetual subordinate status.

Alas, my actions to stem or deter this just make me look alarmist, reactionary and paranoid in the eyes of the critics (especially the NJ ones, who seem to think I'm somehow "spoiling" Japan for them), either because they haven't experienced these microaggressions for themselves, or because they live in denial.

"Know how to pick your battles," some decry. Fortunately, the battle is partially won, because now this dynamic of low-level aggression and "othering" is less invisible. We finally have a word in the English language (hopefully someday in Japanese too) to identify it, and social scientists endeavoring to quantify it.

Someday we just might be able to empower ourselves away from our own microaggressive self-policing of preconception and prejudice. And we will gain the appropriate respect for those brave enough to stand up to it. And at least the daily questions might become less boring!
Debito Arudou has written the Hokkaido section for the 20th edition of Fodor's Japan guidebook, which is out now. Twitter @arudoudebito. Just Be Cause appears on the first Community pages of the month. Send comments on this issue and story ideas to

[jasonXkeller]

Nice article. Many sociologists believe that prejudices in America have also become subverted, and I don't doubt their claims. What is interesting to me, is to actually feel a true sense of "otherness." Throughout America and Europe, I can at least blend in and minimize my appearance as a visitor, but in Japan(Korea) there is no hope of blending in. Is it strange that I'm sort of excited to experience this? By no means do I want to discredit your article. Asian countries are some of the most homogeneous populations in the world. It makes sense that there have not been opportunities to build an intercultural discourse, or to grow in empathy for one's sense of being an outsider. I don't tout the cultural diversity of America as a superiority. We certainly have had a lot of growing pains and shameful times in our ongoing process.

Perhaps I've experienced some sense of "otherness," in that I'm in a multi-ethnic marriage, or because I am covered in tattoos. Those are choices though. I don't really know what it's like to be discriminated against for something as glaring and unchangeable as my skin color. Yes, yes, there's reverse racism in the states, affirmative action and so on, but it's not the same as living in a nation where you are different from everyone. Even well intended and kind-hearted people may fear misconceptions they have about people who look like you. There is so much to learn from an experience like this one. How better could we begin to understand the impact of our own actions on those around us, even those subtle, almost unnoticeable encounters that work to subject those around us. I suppose Nietzsche would say it's our "will to power." Freud would call it our Id. By whatever name, it is my personal goal to treat all people with dignity and respect, even those whom I disagree with.

It's 1:15 am pst. I'm not going to go back and copy edit this, so I leave a standing disclaimer in the event that I don't make any sense.

[The Sultan of Seoul]

"The moral of this story
The moral of this song
Is one should simply not be
Where one does not belong."

Bob Dylan.

[comm]

[Dodge7]

[Julius]

Microaggression is racism for polite people.


Its basically a territorial insecurity. Its one person saying to another..."This is my country, I'm in charge here". Probably a worldwide phenomenon everywhere you go.

[pegasus64128]

"Usually these are unconscious acts grounded in established discourses of interactions. Nobody "means" to make you feel alienated, different, out of place, or stereotyped."

I think that's quite true. Free will is something new in these parts. It's new anywhere. It slowly emerged out of Europe over the last ~400 years, and it was permitted to allow technology development in Europe as much as to free the people. People were required to diversify in to more wide-ranging jobs. It only really flourished in Asia as a result of this influence. Asian countries were ruled over by successive dynasties like the ones you see on Korean TV. The majority of people (not shown in these dramas) were peasant farmers.

In our context, the Korean psyche is still heavily beaten down by the Park Chung Hee regime. A similar legacy can be found in Chile as a result of Pinochet, and this legacy (both still freshly traumatic in the minds of elders of these countries) manifests itself today in several obvious ways. Firstly, there's the trauma itself as is obvious to anyone with a pulse.

Subconsciously, people in any militantly patriotic country are inevitably gonna manifest this through pride in their native food, their language, and their people.

Another thread on this site links to Japan when the Portuguese showed up with their superior ships and weapons. They were dirtier than the Japanese. They didn't bathe like we do today and the Japanese did then, but they were scientifically ahead of Japan. It wasn't the case that Japan showed up off the coast of Portugal. You can be sure that leaves a lasting subconscious imprint. If people in Korea or Japan alienate foreigners, it is largely due to a sub-conscious self-defense mechanism, and it's a very powerful thing. Generally, Western people don't have this in their psyche, so they don't feel the same necessity to protect their heritage to the same degree (largely because they just don't think they need to. They don't feel the threat) and this is dis-empowering. If you ask an American average Joe where shampoo comes from they'll probably say some American guy invented it because their country is so new. It wouldn't occur to him that it came from India, or that a large part of modern Math comes from the Middle East.

Western strength has always been it's ability to be flexible, and adapt, taking in new ideas. It's weakness is that it's too quick to forget the past, deprecated ideas. In the East, not having that initiative, they often identify their own people and culture as the source of their strength, and this manifests itself in the way the OP mentioned above.

[jasonXkeller]

@pegasus64128 I like you. I think we're operating on a similar wavelength. Above all, I desire to know myself, and to know others more deeply so that I might grow in empathy. I struggle with being a bit of a misanthrope and even an elitist at times. It's something I always have to keep in check.

@comm I don't really expect to be treated as special or "noteworthy." Nor do I wish do make myself a social martyr. I only hope that the experience will make me more aware of my own actions when encountering those who are "other" to me.

@dodge7 I fault no one for being worn thin by the social dynamic in Korea. I don't really think it will be "fun," necessarily. With a healthy perspective, I hope to grow. That's all. Perhaps I will also grow weary of being treated differently. Even then, when reflecting on my experience, it will keep me vigilant when encountering others that may be hurt by my actions. I believe, that in one sense each person is responsible for their own emotions and may choose to, or not to be hurt or offended but I don't absolve myself from doing things that are knowingly hurtful to others if they can be reasonably avoided.

[12ax7]

Here's a novel idea for you. Brace yourselves...

What if when a taxi driver says,"You speak so well!", he's actually trying to make you, his customer, feel good?

Oh, oh, even better. What if it's a genuine compliment?

[comm]

[transmogrifier]

Who gives a shit?

Answer or ignore them. Sometimes I wonder how people make it through the day with all these damaging blows to their fragile sense of self-worth.

[The Sultan of Seoul]

[transmogrifier]

[12ax7]

[edwardcatflap]