I have a brand new co-worker, a Korean woman, Alice, that has been hitched to a Pakistani for the previous 6 years. Alice spent some time working with foreign teachers before and contains shared tales them as well as her own personal story of being married to a foreigner with me about.

Alice explained about her Canadian African co-teacher (whom hated being labeled “black”). He lived in a condo building where he had been possibly the foreigner that is only. Apparently, whenever he rode the elevator, Korean renters into the building would log off if he had been in.

Whenever I asked Alice why Koreans have this mindset towards African people, her response blew me personally away. (take note that this isn’t a representation of her viewpoint, but compared to Korean people as a whole).

I became told that Koreans fear African people because “they could be criminals” or “they may harm you.”

“Koreans think they have been such as the mafia.” Once I questioned Alice where all of this is due to, she replied, “From TV and films.”

With this true point, i ought to let you know there are a wide range of Nigerians in Korea. It is stated that some are right here as English teachers (illegally, as Nigerian passport holders are perhaps maybe not permitted to be English teachers). Some Nigerians possess nightclubs in Itaewon, while some do menial work with Koreans.

Therefore, essentially I became told that in comparison to white westerners, Koreans respect Africans as having a ‘low status’. In cases where a Korean woman had been up to now a foreigner, it might be more appropriate if she had been having a white guy.

My head raced and I also questioned further, “Why is Oprah and Tyra Banks therefore popular on Korean television if Koreans don’t favour black colored people?” Well the clear answer is fairly easy. Famous brands Oprah Winfrey, Tyra Banks, Beyonce, Barack Obama and also our Nelson that is own Mandela a certain form of status and energy on earth. What they say is gospel…and, “Oh! These are generally rich!” I became told.

Alice confessed to being ostracized from her friends and family after she married her spouse – A pakistani guy whom was doing work in Korea for almost ten years. She informs me sadly, “It’s for just two reasons. He’s not Korean. And he’s a Muslim.”

Koreans and Muslims

Amir is Alice’s spouse. As being a businessman in Korea for a good portion of years|number that is great of , he talks Korean very nearly fluently. He’s experienced their own share of racism among the community that is korean. Alice related a tale in my opinion whereby Amir had been cutting a small business cope with A korean man. In Korean, the person rudely thought to Amir, “Hey you! Come right right here!” – the same tone one would just simply take whenever speaking with a young child. Needless to say, Amir could understand why and asked questioned the person. Frequently, when Koreans understand that foreigners can realize also a little bit of their language, their mindset can change very quickly. I’ve experience this hand that is first particularly when cab drivers want to cheat me or rig the meter!

Whenever driving to exert effort in the both Amir and Alice are met with intense glares from tollgate workers morning. Alice informs me that individuals question her without beating concerning the bush, “Why did you marry him?” Then there’s a couple of whom stare at him, however in reality are admiring their ‘exotic’ features.

So now I was curious to know where the underlying hatred towards Muslim people came from that I knew where the racism towards black people originated from. Alice place it just in a single word, “Terrorist”

Broadly speaking, Koreans liken Muslims to terrorists. And where does “this” originate from? Of course – TV and movies.

This reminds me personally of the course recently i taught. We told a course of Grade 5s that I happened to be South African. We continued to express that I became Indian. A lot of them mistook it for the Native American. Once I explained that we designed Indian from Asia, the very first effect from their store ended up being, “Curry!” in order young as they’ve been, my pupils already are in a position to link racial and social teams to something which they could be linked to, or in other words that which we understand as ‘stereotypes’.

hiphop culture sweeps over Korea

There has also been a revolution of hip hop culture that’s bought out Korean youth. It has affected Korean music, music videos and even fashion. I’ve always told my buddies that being in A korean club makes me feel just like I’m from the collection of a hiphop music video clip. Rap and rap designers (a few of African lineage) are extremely popular in Korea right now, that leads us to think that this whole racism hoo-hah is predicated on the mind-set of older Koreans. Right? Wrong!

Me, she disagreed saying that younger generations are also racist towards other races when I asked Alice to confirm this for. Therefore also it remains just that – music and fashion, and has nothing to do with the artists race though they mimic Beyonce’s Single Ladies or try to dress like P Diddy.

Well, I’ve stated much more than we initially designed to, nevertheless the subject is extremely interesting if you ask me and it is certainly one that’s evolving on a regular basis. Residing in Korea for more than 2 yrs, my head happens to be broadened therefore much and I’ve learned to see the global globe through lots of pairs of eyes – whatever the battle they belong to!

I’d want to understand your thinking and viewpoints upon it!

* Sheetal Makhan is a South African columnist and writer, that has been residing and dealing in Southern Korea for the previous two years. She published this piece for Grubstreet as a result to the past post. View here to visit Sheetal’s web log or you’ll achieve her at email protected