Outrage @NewYorkPost
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By Jason Lim
Last week, something horrible happened in New York City. A 58-year old Korean man named Han Ki-suk was pushed off a subway platform into the path of an oncoming train. No one helped him as he struggled to climb up to the platform, and he was crushed to death. But a freelance photographer did manage to take a picture of Han’s desperate struggles, which ended up on the front page of the New York Post.
I don’t want to talk about the photographer. First of all, I wasn’t there, so I don’t know how I would have reacted. I don’t want to judge anyone about what I might have or not have done ― I don’t have the right. Second, he wasn’t the only one who didn’t help. The platform was filled with people, yet no one extended a life-saving hand. All I know is that those people who watched and heard Han be killed that day will be reliving that moment for the rest of their lives. It’s not something that I would wish on my worst enemies.
But I do want to talk about New York Post’s decision to display the photograph ― along with the gleeful “Doomed” headline ― on its front page. It’s simply outrageous. Even in today’s cynical society, there are some boundaries that shouldn’t be crossed.
I understand that the New York Post is a tabloid that built its reputation and readership on sensational headlines, such as the famous “Headless Body in a Topless Bar.” But showing Han’s photo when you know he’s going to die the next moment is not just a matter of lurid reporting ― it’s appealing to our baser nature and inviting us to become macabre witness to someone else’s last moments. What the New York Post did robbed Han of his last moment of dignity and his family of their peace.
But as I was formulating my words that spoke to my outrage, I came across a letter by Sam Yoon, president of the Council of Korean Americans, who articulated my thoughts far more eloquently than I could have done. Here is the text of the letter.
The New York Post has been widely criticized for publishing this grisly, sensational photograph. Many say the photographer should have tried to help the victim rather than take the photo. But if you are like me, as a Korean American, you are especially outraged because the victim was 58-year old Ki Suk Han.
Ki Suk Han was confronting an aggressive homeless man who was frightening others on the platform when he was pushed onto the tracks. Mr. Han was killed by an oncoming train as he struggled to climb back onto the platform.
To most people, to the photographer, to the newsroom editors who purchased the photo and put it on the front page, "Ki Suk Han" may be just another typical Asian name of a faceless New York immigrant. But to our community, Ki Suk Han is your uncle, a family friend, the greeter at your church. Ki Suk Han is someone you know.
Too often we as Asian and Korean Americans are silent about issues that make us feel uncomfortable. Too often we worry about whether we have a right to feel the way we do.
The Council of Korean Americans believes in this case that we cannot be silent. We need to let the New York Post know that we take notice and that we care.
We need to speak up whenever any human life is treated carelessly. But we have a special duty to act when that life belongs to a Korean American. Here's how:
1. Read
on Ki Suk Han.
2. Send a tweet to @newyorkpost and tell them how you feel.
3. Support our statement by sending an email to
.
4. Forward this email to your friends.
Thank you for your support.
Sam Yoon
President, CKA
I wholly agree with the letter above and encourage everyone to become involved. The only way to create the world we want to see is to get heard and involved, and the only route to empowerment is self-empowerment.
But I don’t think we should stop at just letting New York Post know our outrage. Actions always speak louder than words. As such, we should seek to build on this campaign to bring accountability to the New York Post through concrete and visible actions. We could discuss what this may be as a community, but there have been tried-and-true tools that have worked before.
Among our options could be a boycott of the New York Post, pressure on New York Post advertisers to not buy space on the paper, collaboration with other Asian American communities, recruiting high-profile Asian American celebrities to champion our cause, or a combination of other actions that would bring spotlight and pressure on the New York Post to not only apologize for their decision but also follow up with other actionable items that will make sure that the New York Post exercises more sensitivity and restraint when human life and dignity is involved.
So, huge kudos to Yoon and others who are actively transforming this horrible tragedy into an opportunity to reshape our world for the better. Thank you for your leadership on our behalf.
Jason Lim is a Washington, D.C., based expert on innovation, engagement and organizational culture. He has been writing for The Korea Times since 2006. He can be reached at jasonlim@msn.com, facebook/jasonlim2000 and @jasonlim2012.