Dear editor,
Jon Huer is right to his opinion but not if he creates facts by using generalizations based on his impressions (abstract language). He makes wild claims and comparisons that are completely baseless, lacking in research, and completely false.
In his June 8 article, ``10 Most Wonderful Things About Korea (II),'' Huer states, ``… that Koreans of all ages mix together and that in the U.S. people are generally segregated by age, and it is rare that children and the elderly are seen together in the same place.''
America is one of the largest countries in the world so how can he possibly make such an erroneous claim. Has he been to all 50 states and to every park, event or street corner? A journalist would never make such sweeping generalizations especially when they simply cannot be proven (stock response).
Another claim he makes is that everyday Koreans of all ages are encouraged to read, which he contrasts with Americans (sarcasm). He made Americans out to be a bunch of knuckle dragging Neanderthals (allusion and characterization) in terms of understanding literature and the use of literary devices.
He is laboring under the misapprehension that Koreans are ahead of Americans in their familiarity with literature and literary allusions and ironies (fiction). It is ironic that he fails to see his own irony.
Huer should portray Korea and Koreans without having to make false comparisons and generalizations. All cultures are different so why make one look bad just to make another look better?
He needs to keep an aesthetic distance especially when drawing conclusions. Huer should have just claimed that Koreans like to read, etc. and omitted any counterfeit comparisons.
His antagonistic behavior is abundant and completely superfluous, especially when writing an article that isn't an opinion piece.
His writing style makes him the anti-hero of journalism, lacking traits enmeshed in journalistic integrity that would otherwise make him a hero of the written word. Am I being satirical?
Rebecca Butterworth
Seoul