Ignorance breeds racism

By Rachel Lee, Jun Ji-hye, Ryu Chang-gi

Seemingly ignorant of what constitutes racism or discrimination, some Koreans utter racist remarks or engage in racist behavior. Apparently, they don't realize what they are ignorant about and this ignorance becomes the seed of their racism.

Not only ignorance but a lack of anti-racism laws is emerging as a major stumbling block to preventing the nation from becoming a truly multicultural society.

In July 2009, Bonojit Hussain, an Indian professor who used to work here, accused a Korean of humiliating him by hurling abusive and racist words such as "dirty" and "pitch-black foreigner" on a bus.

The case resulted in a lawmaker proposing an anti-racism bill. But the bill has been mothballed and won't become the basis for new legislation anytime soon given the lack of interest shown toward it from other lawmakers along with strong opposition from conservative civic groups.

More than 1.5 million people from around the world are currently living in Korea and that number is expected to keep growing.

These expatriates say they experience growing racism here because many Koreans are still xenophobic and have prejudices against them.

The stare

The case most habitually cited by foreigners is being stared at by Koreans on streets, subways and other public places.

"Korean people tend to stare at those who look different from them," says Mohamad Aimien bin Mohamad Ali, 23, a Malaysian who graduated in chemical engineering from Sungkyunkwan University last month.

Mohamad Ali, currently working in Seoul as a contract worker for Asia Cement said he felt discriminated against due to the way that Korean people look at him when he walks around the city. He felt even worse when he went shopping ― some store assistants treated him badly.

"When I asked for the price or anything about some stuff in the shop, they seemed annoyed with me as if I was wasting their time. Sometimes they used ‘banmal (impolite words)' to me because they thought I didn't speak Korean," the 23-year-old said. "I was frustrated when I saw the same staff members treating Korean or Western customers with courtesy," he added.

Mohamad Ali has also had irksome experiences while using public transport.

"Some taxi drivers talk as if they don't know the places that I want to go to, although they can easily find them with navigation devices. They probably think I don't have enough money to pay."

Asked what hurt him the most, he recalled an experience he had five years ago.

"I went to take an empty seat on the train. As soon as I sat down, people on my left and right left their seats and went away from me to stand in different places. I had no idea why they were trying to avoid me. Although seats around me were empty, they kept standing till I got off. It was shocking."

Hassan Abid, 28, a Pakistani who studied computer engineering at Kyung Hee University Global Campus, "luckily" has some advantages ― comparatively white skin and high English proficiency.

But Abid says Korean people suddenly lose interest in him the moment they learn where he is from.

Abid, currently working as an intern for an I.T. Company called Nexstreaming, found discrimination against foreigners ― especially those from other developing Asian nations ― pervasive in the job market.

"One of my friends lost her job because of her dark skin color. She is from India," he said.

Abid thinks that the Korean government is making sincere efforts to attract more foreign students to the country but its people are not ready yet.

"Few Korean students interact with foreign students at the campus," Abid said. "I only hung out with foreign classmates although I took a class that was conducted in Korean."

Mohamad Ali really likes the campaign that was launched by the Korea Tourism Organization with the theme: "We say hello first."

He said, "If this kind of campaign is successful, Korea will have a better reputation among foreigners."

Hostility toward difference

Discrimination against black people is not uncommon here, with African-American teachers shunned by Korean parents at schools or "hagwon" (private language institutes).

Kenyan Ambassador to Korea Ngovi Kitau, 52, ran a business in Mumbai, India before he came to Seoul. He also senses racism here.

"Some Koreans are afraid of approaching foreigners not only Africans but also Europeans," Kitau said, adding that young Koreans should visit not only the United States but other countries to be confident in relationships with people from all over the world.

"The antagonism against foreigners in Nairobi is smaller than Korea, I think. Many Indians and Europeans are managing businesses in Kenya, Kenyans learn the attitude of how to move together, supporting economic activities. So, we have to respect each other regardless of the color of our skins," he said.

He says that mutual understanding will help remove discriminatory views against those from developing nations.

"Likewise being good to Americans, Koreans should (develop) more relationships with the people from various nations. Learning about other cultures will be an opportunity. I am sure Koreans (have) a potential to (embrace) various other cultures based on Koreans' hospitality to others," Kitau said.

Many Caucasians say they have to endure dirty looks from Korean men, especially those from older generations, when they go out with Korean girls.

"When I was walking with my American friend the other day, a drunken old man suddenly came out from nowhere and swore at me. I was so shocked," Kim, a 27-year-old Korean-American said.

Phil Wright, a student studying language at Sogang University in Seoul, also pointed out the difference between his homeland, the U.K. and this Asian country. "Using violent words to foreigners means serious punishment such as a fine or even imprisonment (in the U.K.). Racism still pervades in the society but an increasing number of its people have started to change their views about other nationalities," he said.

Jolo Logon, a 28-year-old staff member at a Filipino medical insurance company in Manila, spent 14 months as an agricultural researcher in Daegu. During his stint here, Logon had horrible moments with his supervisor when he worked at a farm.

"The advisor forced me to live on his farmland. I spent most of my time feeding goats on the farm by myself," he said. "I did whatever he asked me to do even at night. The guy once threatened me with his fist."

The worst part was when the advisor became suspicious of people of different nationalities like him whenever some bad things happened at the farm.

Greater attention essential

Korean people must be aware of the importance of protecting the basic rights of expatriates, experts said. From school to workplaces, they need to be educated to reject xenophobic and nationalistic attitudes.

Whether it be a change of opinion or behavior, everyone needs to pay greater attention to ways of preventing foreigners from feeling racially discriminated against, they said.

"It starts with the words that we use," said Lee Jae-san, an executive at the Seoul Migrant Workers' Center. "We have always differentiated ourselves from foreigners but I think we should call them ‘migrant workers' rather than ‘foreign workers.'"

"Korean people obviously prefer white-skinned people who speak English over those with darker skin. There needs to be a change of public awareness and attitudes towards them," Lee added.

He also stressed the importance of the government's role.

"We are living with a growing number of migrant workers and foreigners. What does this tell us about the future direction? We definitely need anti-racism laws set in place. And most importantly, we should respect them, their culture and traditions. They are a big part of us now."