Well, perhaps I exaggerate a little but I found this article interesting because a)it happened in Bucheon, not 2 miles from where I now type and 2)the offended actually had the cajones to do something about it.
Among the international racist community old men probably constitute a significant majority, and in Korea things are no different. In my 2 1/2 years I haven't had anything really bad thrown my way, probably because, well, let's just say I've spent more time rambling alone than with a lissome Korean beauty dangling from my arm like a piece of inane jewelry. But on those rare occasions when the fairer sex deigned to accompany me publicly, like the Indian gentleman in the article I've been subject to the disapproving eyes and kimchi-flavored mutterings of that over-common Korean bird, the angry adjeossi.
From the story:
"As the bus traveled toward Bucheon City Hall, a neatly dressed Korean man, who was sitting behind them yelled, ``What a disgusting odor! You're dirty.''
The Korean, later identified as Park, kept shouting, ``You must be an Arab. It's dirty. F*** you!''
One marvels at the sophistication manifest in the "neatly dressed" Mr. Park's diatribe. Were I not so cynical I might wonder if reincarnation really is a fact of life, as it seems the wit of Oscar Wilde has been reborn. "You're dirty." Indeed. What heights of verbosity will Mr. Park attain next? What summits of perspicacity will he climb? Ah, yes, "Fuck you." Pronounced, no doubt, as "Puck you." Koreans have trouble with their "F"s.
These small minded trolls would be amusing if they weren't so prevalent. You try taking a taxi, riding a bus, shopping at a "syupa" or, I dunno, walking down the street without running into one of Mr. Park's esteemed contemporaries, and let me know how that works out buddy.
The story continues:
"Hussain intended to file a complaint against Park, but police officers tried to discourage him from doing so.
``They asked the two sides to apologize to each other. But I refused because I did nothing wrong,'' he said. "
Good for him. Notice the annoying Confucian practice inherent in the police officers' actions. Everyone make nice, everyone admit fault, everyone save face, preserve social unity, etc etc. As if the professor is somehow to blame for having brown skin and sitting on a bus. Apologize for your appearance, sir, after all if you looked Korean none of this would have happened - this could be the rationale behind the ameliorative suggestion. What an absurd society this can sometimes be.
Also from the story:
"
``It was not my first time to be subject to racial abuse. I have had many similar experiences. But this time was serious,'' he said. ``It wouldn't have happened to me if I were a white man.''
Hussain said he has no intention to withdraw the suit."
I'm pleased to hear he's going to continue with the suit. I hope this bastard gets what's coming to him. He's likely correct about the "white man" comment, as well. While my fair-skinned brethren and I are sometimes subject to this sort of behavior, there is no doubt that people from South-Asia (ethnically) get it a whole lot more, in this country, hell in most countries. So it goes.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
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