By Benson Kamary
This week Monday was Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Luther King Jr. is often regarded as a hero of civil rights in America alongside Rosa Parks and Claudette Colvin. On the same day this week, I was privileged to sit among a ``panelist of color” to discuss a rather hot radio show topic of racism in Korea hosted by E-Busan Fm and the Busan Ilbo.
While my four-year stay in Korea does not make me an expert on the issue, it could be sufficient for me to share my experiences as an African outside Africa. With two black American English teachers, a Korean political scientist, and a Filipina from the Philippine-Korea cultural house, we observed that there had been little talk, if any, about racism in the Korean public domain.
It was also comprehensible that no culture is free of bias, prejudice and stereotypes. In fact, it is only their degree that vary with some having particular racist-potential. Nonetheless, whether historical, scientific, or institutional, prejudice of any kind must be condemned as demeaning, hurtful and unjust to the targeted groups.
My excitement to join the discussion panel arose neither because of my expertise on the subject nor from the basis of being the most victimized individual but from the openness with which the radio station approached the issue. Effective communication must always be open, balanced and respectful. In the same breath I abhor gossip as an unfair, hurtful and character assassinating tool.
In Korea, the case of Hines Ward, the son of a black American and Korean mother is well known among Koreans. In 2009, a Korean man was fined in a first case of a racial insult to an Indian professor. It could be guessed that prejudice cases of subtle racism are neither reported nor cited yet its challenge cannot be avoided.
Many have argued that Koreans are not racists. There are those who believe that the concept of racism in Korea is foreign and was only planted from the West. Others hold the view that Korea’s case is a matter of genuine curiosity owing to the fact that, historically, Korea was not exposed to a long period of cultural diversity compared to countries say like Japan, the Philippines or even Kenya.
But curiosity or no curiosity some dark colored people have wondered why some Koreans would not sit with them on a bus seat or take the same elevator. Even with the speculation, I know of many blacks who have had a great share of hospitality among the Koreans. I personally have numerous open minded friends who have encouraged me to eat their food, shop at their marts, speak their language and dance to their tune ― and it has been exciting!
On the radio show, I particularly appreciated the discussion on the question of what factors reinforce the concept of racism among young educated Koreans. Historical nature of the Korean society notwithstanding, examples of educational materials and mass media are probable features. Picture this: One Korean English dictionary was found to contain weird connotations about the black race. For instance the definition illustrations in the dictionary included: America ― ``American made a car,” Africa ― ``Lions live in Africa,” Beautiful ― ``She is beautiful girl” (with a picture of a girl that looks Korean).
As an educationist, I argue that no educative processes are neutral. Education can serve any end ― prejudice or freedom, war or peace, success or failure. Education is in fact not only informative but also formative hence it shapes one’s perception of reality. Education curricula and even teachers are open for evaluation to determine worldviews they disseminate.
As for the mass media, the film industry until recently has portrayed the black race as antagonists. Even to date most documentaries about Africa aired by international media still focus on poverty, disease and conflicts yet giving a wide rebuff to the continent’s achievements and aesthetics.
Thankfully, Korea is becoming a more multicultural society with each passing day thanks to the growing number of foreigners in the country. Such organizations as the Seoul Global Centre, Busan Foundation for International Activities and others with foreigner-oriented activities deserve appreciation.
Meanwhile, as Martin Luther King Jr. advised, let us hope that the dark clouds of any racial prejudice will forever pass away and the radiant stars of love and brotherhood shine with all their scintillating beauty.
The writer is a freelance journalist and a graduate student at Kosin University, Busan. He can be reached at bkamary@yahoo.com.