NY Times Article: China, Korea, Japan
This was our first discussion, prior to the blog being created. There's also a response that never made it to the listserv that I wanted others to read- which is now included in the comments section, author's name removed at request. Also in the comments sections is a link to another article that relates to what the first comment discusses- the preference for English teachers with a White-American face/accent.
Alot of you have approached me after receiving the initial email post expressing your viewpoints and apprehensions about posting replies. We all share your apprehensions in some way. I am clearly not an expert on any of these topics. I can only provide my understanding of them- and on occassion, my understanding may be flawed. But maybe in that flaw, we find a new way to look at the subject. My point is that we're not here to compete on who's the smartest or most knowledgeable, rather, we're here to share knowledge and personal perspectives on topics of all nature so that we can better understand them. So, for those of you that have held back, we look forward to hearing from you this semester.
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NY Times Article: China, Korea, Japan
11/19/2005
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I shouldn't find it weird that I ran into this article today after having a discussion with a friend about the subject just last night, as Mr. Eric Zhang stated himself in class on Thursday, China is the topic of discussion nowadays.
This article touched on some actual literature about anti-Chinese, anti-Korean, and pro-Japanese sentiments of the region.
My friend and I came to the conclusion that while, yes, there are many anti-Anyone and pro-Japanese people/thoughts in Japan, there are also as much people who are not that way- and maybe the opposite. Think of people's impressions of the U.S.! It's funny because I told her that Japan was the Eastern version of the U.S.- superiority complex and all. Then I read the article and they mention the U.S./Western emulation as well.
Anyway, read the article if you like. I found it very interesting
NY Times Article
[Update: The article is archived now and you need to register with the NY Times website to access. Registration is free.]
Feel free reply to everyone with your thoughts on the article/subject. I hardly get to see or talk to you guys anymore, and there's too much collective knowledge to let it go to waste. I miss you guys... =( I'm not saying we'll find any answers =), but hey, it'll give us a better understanding of the situation.
Alot of you have approached me after receiving the initial email post expressing your viewpoints and apprehensions about posting replies. We all share your apprehensions in some way. I am clearly not an expert on any of these topics. I can only provide my understanding of them- and on occassion, my understanding may be flawed. But maybe in that flaw, we find a new way to look at the subject. My point is that we're not here to compete on who's the smartest or most knowledgeable, rather, we're here to share knowledge and personal perspectives on topics of all nature so that we can better understand them. So, for those of you that have held back, we look forward to hearing from you this semester.
========================
NY Times Article: China, Korea, Japan
11/19/2005
========================
I shouldn't find it weird that I ran into this article today after having a discussion with a friend about the subject just last night, as Mr. Eric Zhang stated himself in class on Thursday, China is the topic of discussion nowadays.
This article touched on some actual literature about anti-Chinese, anti-Korean, and pro-Japanese sentiments of the region.
My friend and I came to the conclusion that while, yes, there are many anti-Anyone and pro-Japanese people/thoughts in Japan, there are also as much people who are not that way- and maybe the opposite. Think of people's impressions of the U.S.! It's funny because I told her that Japan was the Eastern version of the U.S.- superiority complex and all. Then I read the article and they mention the U.S./Western emulation as well.
Anyway, read the article if you like. I found it very interesting
NY Times Article
[Update: The article is archived now and you need to register with the NY Times website to access. Registration is free.]
Feel free reply to everyone with your thoughts on the article/subject. I hardly get to see or talk to you guys anymore, and there's too much collective knowledge to let it go to waste. I miss you guys... =( I'm not saying we'll find any answers =), but hey, it'll give us a better understanding of the situation.
posted by Benheart at 11:38 AM
3 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Here is a reply to the article.
Interesting article; thanks for forwarding it. I never like to generalize, but I think most peope in Asia would agree that the Japanese consider themselves the "whites" of Asia. If that makes sense.
Also, many Americans feel that we are the only people in the World with "race" issues. This is far from the truth. During football (soccer) games in Europe African or black European players are harrassed, threatened and degraded. It has been a big issue in England, Spain, Italy, etc.
Apply for an ESL job in Korea, Japan, China, etc and the first thing they will ask for is a picture. Again, I don't want to generalize but many schools will not hire Black or even Asians to teach; they typically want a "white" face in the classroom. Age and weight is an issu! e as well; especially in Japan and Korea.
I would say in Asia skin color is a big issue; that is evident by all the skin lightening creams sold throughout South East Asia.
I could go on, but I think you get the point. Regardless, it is very sad to see anti-anyone propoganda being widely read and accepted (especially in a Modern country). Could you imagine OSU students reading KKK comic books or anti-sematic cartoon strips in class??? People would be outraged.
However, I would say there is not a love loss between the Koreans and the Japanese. Koreans celebrate the day America dropped the atomic bomb on Japan; its a national holiday. From my experiences I have not met many Koreans that think very fondly of the Japanese.
Anyway, hit me back with your thoughts or we can talk about this iss! ue sometime.
And here is a new link to an article that goes into the experience of some non-whte-English-speaking teachers and their Asian students.
Link: Preference for White English Teachers
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