Do you remember the name, Hussein? He is an Indian professor who accused a Korean of racial discrimination. He complained about the Korean man because he was abused on the bus without any reason. It was undoubtedly an act of discrimination; however, it is only considered as personal contempt because Korea doesn’t have any provision about racial discrimination. Several people claimed Korea needs legislation against racial discrimination.
Would this be a problem if he were a white man? Hussein said through the newspaper, “If I were a white person, this trouble would not happen. We have to get rid of racism toward people who are not white.” He is right. Many Koreans tacitly consider that Caucasians are superior and others are inferior. This is the same in advertising where Koreans ingratiate themselves with the strong and underestimate the weak.
Moreover, Koreans usually don’t discriminate only against foreigners, but also second-generation Koreans. They are also Koreans, but foreign culture is more familiar than Korean culture for them. However, Koreans judge them without considering their situation even though their roots are the same with us.
A few weeks ago, a singer who is a second-generation Korean went back to the U.S. The reason was an internet post in English that he wrote 4 years ago. Netizens claimed that he insulted Korea. Because of the post, he had to go back to the U.S. However, the facts that the translation was exaggerated and there were no sentences disparaging Korea were disclosed. He just wrote his grumbling because of his adaptation to a different culture. As a result, netizens expelled an innocent singer from Korea based on our standard only.
A lot of Koreans abroad complain and are angry about the discrimination that they experienced. Why do they discriminate even though they know the sadness of people who are discriminated against? Different skin color is unavoidable. However, it cannot be a reason for discrimination. People have to realize this fact through this ordeal.
As for the situation related to Professor Hussein, more information about the events has been discovered, and those have made us shameful. The event considering the second-generation Korean singer has also given people a reason to ponder racism. Because of this situation, we have to be more mature and care for other people regardless of their race.