My name is Amy [removed]. I am a[n] [removed] English teacher in the public school system in Yeosu. I am emailing you to inform you of a situation that has happened in the last few weeks. My boyfriend is an African-American and has been applying for the last few months to join me in Yeosu in the public school system. A few weeks ago, my recruiter came down to Yeosu from Seoul to negotiate with the Yeosu Board of Education to have my boyfriend hired. Apparently, negotiation was necessary because the new head of the Board decided she does not want to hire blacks or asian English teachers. My recruiter told me she bluntly said she wants only caucasian teachers.
I received the email as well, but in the absence of any proof I decided to not print it at the time. It's intereesting, though, to read the comments from others purporting to be in Yeosu, alleging the same thing. Here are a few:
In my two years living and teaching in Yeosu, I heard countless stories of foreign teachers being mistreated, and this by far is the most disturbing and impossible to understand. The Yeosu Board of Education needs to wake up and realize that diversity within the foreign teacher community is an asset to their students as well as to the overall community.
. . .
My name is Tess. I'm also from Yeosu. This is not the only case of racial descrimination in Yeosu public schools. I know of two other African American teachers in Yeosu who are facing challenges because of race and an Asian American who couldn't get a job here at all. Apparently, skin color and teaching ability are directly connected in some way, with no regard for education, ability, or even proof of both in the form of a resume.
. . .
I am an African American female teacher in Yeosu since August 2009. I applied for this job with two male friends. Two of us got jobs and one of us did not. During the application process, we were told to get our photos retaken because we looked "too dark" not sure if this was racial but we obliged. I could not get accepted to the school until I sent in a picture with a smile and makeup on, hmmm... My other friend was told not to wear his gold chain in the picture as well. It was a very simple chain with a cross at the bottom but I guess it looked bad in the picture??
Anyway, we were working very closely with our recruiter trying to get our friend a position. Other people kept getting jobs ahead of him and at first we didn't understand. Then after speaking with a few people I learned the same information Amy is speaking about.
And from Amy, the woman who sent the original email:
Yeosu is a very nice city and has already established a multi-cultural and multi-racial community of foreign English teachers and there has not been any problems. I'd also like to say that Yeosu is holding an International Expo in 2012 and this doesn't seem to coincide with their hopes of becoming an internationally known welcoming city.
33 comments:
I remember reading a blog entry elseweb by a black former ESOL teacher. She said that she smiled to hear the white teachers going on about being stared at, being discriminated against, etc. According to her, she got similar treatment in Korea, but it wasn't that much different from what she habitually endured in New York City (or whatever city she was from).
but getting stared at in the street is different from an educaton district having a racist unofficial hiring policy.
Flat out racism, I would take it as a hint that this isn't the place to work.If that is the 1st impression imagine how it will end up. So sad that Korea can be so modern on the outside and still struggling on the inside.
Discrimination is nothing new - and most of the affected teachers end up finding more forward-thinking places to work. Their gain, and the school's loss. Part of me wonders WHY though - are the school officials afraid the parents will complain? "He's not a foreigner, he's not white enough..."WTF?
I currently work here and I'm encountering some hiccups with my renewal. I know all the ladies who made comments and they are all correct. Today or tomorrow I'll find out if I still have a job here in Yeosu. If not, I'm going to Seoul or somewhere within that province.
I dont think this should be supprising to anyone. This has been going on for years, and years and years and years. It's obvious by just looking around at demographics that other schools are doing the same thing. They're just not saying it out loud.
I had one student tell me reciently that she and her friends plan to go to Canada this year to study English because there are no blacks in Canada and she's afraid of black people. I told her that she was greatly mistaken. Now their not going to Canada either. That makes me happy :)
Btw, is it really a good idea to be printing Amy's full name. We know her name now, the country that she is from, her ethnicity and where she works. I know she sent it in the email but I would suspect that there is going to be some negitive backlash directed towards her because of this. I know she is trying to be noble and stand up for human rights but she has very little protection here in Korea.
she wasn't aware that they would publish her name also.
I forwarded some comments to Brian from another website about an ethnic Korean who was adopted by white parents in the US being told he would not be rehired at his school because they (or rather "someone") would prefer a white teacher. This was a SMOE school.
I also know 2 STELLAR teachers with loads of experience who tried to leave SMOE but couldn't get hired because they are both black. The recruiters they worked with were told by multiple institutions that they "only hire white" teachers.
I know racism is illegal in Korea. Why does this happen? And why is it so blatant? And why the hell isn't anyone doing anything about it?
I mean, Koreans won't cross the damn street on red on a bright sunny day without a car in sight but they'll violate national and international laws because they think white people somehow magically are better at English?
"I just hope that me and Amy can get the world to see that things like this are simply unacceptable."
That may be the hope but in fact you may be doing the opposite. The may just be confirming their beliefs that "black" teachers are upity foreigners who dont know their place in Korean society. Just look at all the negative publicity you've caused them!(sarcasm) Plus, any other school can just search online for your names (many schools do!) and see that you are trouble makers, making it less likely to get a job in this country.
As they see it, they're not being racist. They're just doing what they think the parents want. Alot of schools favour good looking teachers for jobs. Some wont hire anyone who is overweight. Some wont hire short people. The list goes on and on and on *sigh*
The academies don't like to hire "visible minorities" as their interest is maximizing revenue. The school boards are then left with almost all of the "visible minorities" as applicants. It's a pickle for the public schools as they are vulnerable to critism from so many parents. They have enough problems as it is.
I really feel like there is a lot of defending racism going on here.
No, not defending. Years of having to deal with it in this country. You can get really really really screwed over in this country because of racism and there is no protection. If you end up in a pickle because of this you're not likely to get any help from the embassy, the labour board or the NHRC.
It's easy to say that you dont mind because you are fighting for the greater good but when you end up unemployed, tied up in red tape with immigration, with no money and on the verge of being deported its another story.
But at least the Yeosu Office of Education wont threaten to beat you like my husbands past employer did here
Racism and xenophobia are not some new concepts that have only just recently occurred to the Republic of Korea.
Korea has been extremely vocal on the international scene in condemning racial discrimination. They know exactly what it is. They have signed extremely detailed international agreements - and bound themselves to more strenuous commitments than the US or Japan.
They can live up to their commitments and they will, but not until those being discriminated against do something about it.
Why would anyone assume that Korea would be any different than any other country in that respect?
If you face racial discrimination: challenge it.
I think the biggest misconception is that foreigners think they are imposing their politically correct racially enlightened views on Korean society, which has its own ways that shouldn't be judged, etc., etc.
This is a crock of shit. Korea made up its mind long ago on racial discrimination: it's wrong, it's not part of Korean cultural, and it's illegal. I don't care what some ignoramus Korean ajosshi says on the street. He's mistaken, talk to the experts.
Look at the US, we just had a Louisiana justice of the peace deny a marriage license to an interracial couple. The man will look at you in the face and tell you "I'm not a racist . . . My main concern is for the children."
This type of bullshit justification is just as misplaced in Korea, where we are told the children will be afraid or the parents will be afraid, etc.
Well, good thing this is happening in a school setting, what a great educational moment. Let the lessons begin: no reason to be afraid of someone because of their race or nationality.
And this type of lesson isn't incidental to an international education, it's at the very core. Keeping a benighted racist policy in place isn't doing Korean kids any favors.
I'll respond more fully later when I have more time, but I'll add now that I removed her full name, even though it's out there. I saw it on Korea Beat, and saw her repost it on Facebook, so I assumed she was okay with it.
And I don't think there's a lot of defending racism on here, Chris. I just think a lot of people have heard stuff like this for years---hell, there are job ads that specify no blacks or Asians---and have come to accept it as par for the course. The most awesomely bad job ad was "If U R YOUNG & WHITE, U R ALRIGHT."
Mike, thanks for those forwards. We've read similar things on Dave's for years.
Thank you B. Wagner. Well said.
I'd like to add that anyone who showers regularly would win the award of "best" in my public school. Oh, if you don't wear the EXACT same clothes EVERY single day for 2 years running you would win too.
It's interesting when attitudes about other groups are equally held. Psychology calls it mirror image perceptions. In this case, a foreigner whose only exposure to Korea is my school would hold that "Koreans are dirty." Many Koreans believe the same about a foreigner for wearing their shoes indoors or for being non-white.
It's a frustrating fact of life that we are biased toward ourselves and people like us. The only way to get around stereotypes and prejudices is to blend groups together to a point that everyone is part of the in-group.
Although I still just don't understand how white people went from "big nose" folk to the ideal.
If you face racial discrimination: challenge it.
Imagine if all the current or prospective teachers with the "right" ethnicity were to stand in solidarity with Black, Latino, and Asian teachers who couldn't get jobs by refusing to accept jobs themselves or continue working in places where this happened?
How long would this discrimination go on then?
Kushibo has a point. Giving notice to quit, walking out, holding a teach-in -- are any of these possible?
I worked at a school that turned down a qualified black applicant in favor of an unqualified (ineligible for E2) white applicant. I had 3 months left on my contract and I needed the money, so I didn't do anything, and I think I was wrong not to do anything. If I am in that position again I think I should immediately give notice and quit.
Excellent point Kushibo. Reminds me of the Korean kid in Canada who got expelled for defending himself against a racist bully.
" . . . police reopened the case as a possible hate-crime after 400 mostly white students walked out of the high school Monday in protest of how the Korean youth was treated."
Imagine if all the current or prospective teachers with the "right" ethnicity were to stand in solidarity with Black, Latino, and Asian teachers who couldn't get jobs by refusing to accept jobs themselves or continue working in places where this happened?
How long would this discrimination go on then?
I can just imagine what would happen! They'd fire all of the upity American, Canadian, Australian etc teachers and hire Sri Lankan, Filipino etc teachers, pay them half the pay, give them housing in group barracks, with no medical insurance etc like they do in their factories. That would completly solve the problem! No more racism complaints, the workers are in no position to complain and they can save money! (sarcasm)
Another approach would be just to mention the school's faculty could use more diversity. Next time foreign teachers are taken to a meeting or lunch and are asked their thoughts or opinions, just bring it up.
I also know senior foreign teachers often get tapped to find replacements or to locate resumes for the administration to review. These individuals can bring it up as well.
Well, as far as the public schools are concerned I think the writing's been our wall for a while. fattycat, they already use Filipino teachers regularly in rural areas, and this summer they used teachers from India and the Maldives for local English camps.
I am a White American Female.
I feel ashamed that because I am white I am more preferred by people hiring teachers at their schools in Korea.
I have no way of knowing, unless I ask, that I was preferred over an Black, Latino/a, etc candidate.
I have to say not all sectors of Korea are this way. Gunpo city the place I have been working for has a very diverse array of teachers. I know because I have attended local meetings.
This is racism and worse it is not being stopped.
Let's also remember that schools are also discriminating against nationality. British or Australian speakers may get picked last due to not having the "American" accent.
What can we do?
What should we do?
How can we make a difference?
Those are the questions we need to create answers for ~ now.
Filipino teachers regularly in rural areas, and this summer they used teachers from India and the Maldives for local English camps.
Under what conditions? I believe even for those English camps they had to be quite qualified but I'm not sure what sort of package they ended up getting.
I also know Filipina's who are married to Koreans can sometimes be hired and occasionally graduate students but I refering to people from those countries being hired from abroad for longer term contracts like the current EPS contracts.
When teachers from the main English teacher countries become too much hassle or cost to much we will be replaced. There will always be someone who hasnt heard about the racisim before they sign a contract or someone who needs the money more.
I really feel like there is a lot of defending racism going on here.
Sorry, but this was an asinine comment.
I don't think a single person here was defending racism. I don't think a single person here agrees with the discrimination happening in Yeosu.
What I do see in this thread is people telling it like it is. You ain't in Brooklyn, you're in Korea.
You're in a country where teachers beat the shit out of kids if they don't listen to them. You're in a country where people can sue you - and win BIG - because they feel you've made them "lose face," even if you're in the right. You're in a country that doesn't save the life of a teenager in a health spa because he's a foreigner and that screws over the mother in red tape, legal fees and a "please understand..." when she tries to fight for justice. You're in a country known for its Nazi theme restaurants, bars and hotels and people there seem not just fine, but quite proud of them.
So don't get off telling people here that they're "defending racism." You're not in America anymore: racism in Korea is a completely different game. I'll put it into terms even a New Yorker can understand: If racism were baseball, America would be the minor leagues. Welcome to Korea: The major league of racism.
Don't start getting all sanctimonious because they're pointing that out for you.
Wow.
Ty. Christian Joseph deletes his constructive first comment but leaves his nescient second comment.
What a punk.
What's disheartening is that 1. there is a denial that this situation "isn't racist", and 2. that Amy should willingly accept what is being done to her bf. This is why discrimination and unethical practices practices continue to happen. Instead of finding everything wrong with HER approach, let's continue to dig for what the Board of Education in Yeosu is doing wrong. Racism and discrimination are two different things; racism is a MINDSET instilled within someone based on race, and discrimination is the action taken based on that mindset. While it may be racist, this is discrimination at its finest! The are PLENTY of ignorant non-caucasion people from the states, as there are African Americans and Asians, so to limit the quality of teaching and base it on skin color is absolutely absurd. Amy needs support, because NOTHING will change this injustice if people like her do not speak out about it. All the way from San Francisco, CA, I support Amy and her boyfriend.
Hello All,
Though many of you do not have a full understanding of the situation, there has been a lot happening on our side. Admittedly, i do feel that having my name in the public eye may result in a bad out come for people close to me who are involved in this situation and i felt it would be better if i just kept my opinions to myself for the time being. I would also like to thank you all for the overwhelming support that we have received from the majority of your comments. I just wanted to respond to one of the previous comments, which alleged that because i am from New York i know nothing about racism in Korea. I think you should know that i come from a place where not only are minorities (in many situations Black people, specifically) murdered and imprisoned without just cause. I come from a country that has held KKK parades and the residue of slavery is prevalent in many facets of my everyday life. So when i speak about people defending racism, i am speaking about the fact that some people think it is ok for parents to criticize a school because they have teachers who are minorities. Regardless of if the parents feel like that or not, doesn't make it acceptable. That is the same as states like Texas in the USA not wanting President Barack Obama to speak to their kids because they are afraid he will influence them in the wrong way. Things like that are wrong. Thats the bottom line. Regardless of where it happens and what it looks like, the premise is the same. I have seen it happen in the states and i am experiencing it in Korea. I'm not neglecting the fact that these things are truth, but i am saying that instead of just accepting it. We should come together as an enlightened people and do something about whats happening. Despite this situation, I have a lot of admiration for the country of South Korea and i believe that it is possible that we can all progress towards something better for not only Black people but all people; black, white, asian, over weight, skinny, tall, short, etc.
My last job in Korea was at a public school in Gwangmyeong (one of those cities that blend into Seoul). Shortly before my contract was up, my Korean co-teacher complained to me that the principal had vetoed her original choice for my replacement - an American by nationality - purely because the man was ethnically Korean. This was just half a year ago.
I don't think any particular region of Korea is better or worse for this sort of thing; it's just a matter of who happens to be calling the shots in each individual situation. Regardless of what the Korean government says, a large segment of the Korean population still sees nothing wrong with forming opinions about a person based on their ethnicity. And like persistent prejudices in any culture, that will only change over time.
23 year old New Yorker tells us what's what, yo.
I don't care what you think you've suffered in the multicultural, Democratic state of New York, in the internationally recognized, affirmative action city of New York, I'm talking about your statement here and now.
By telling us that "we're defending racism," you're telling everyone here that we're a bunch of ignorant bigots. That we're no better than those KKK members leaving burning crosses on your front lawn in Brooklyn.
Oh, you've never had that happen to you? My bad. I guess I misunderstood all the hardships you've been living through since 1986 in New York.
People in this thread were pointing out the reality of life in Korea. Not a single person here was defending the actions, in fact, every single person either indicated how deplorable Korea's actions are, or used sarcasm to voice their dissent with Korea.
There's comments in this thread that are discussing the various angles of racism in Korea, how it affects teacher, schools, parents and how it leads/can lead into other social political problems within Korean society.
Within this discussion, I'm looking at the most racist comment in this whole thread: some punk walking in here telling all the 'cracker white folks' that "there is a lot of defending racism going on here."
I hope the racist that wrote that comment learns a thing or two about racism, since he apparently hasn't learned anything about it, even coming from the big bad state of New York. People don't like being called racist when they're not and discussing other factors of a social rights issue doesn't mean they're suddenly defending racism. I hope that racist learns to think before he writes again in the future.
I was fortunate enough to find a school that hired me. The principal told me that he was sick of all the racial discrimination that happened in Korea, and that it was not skin colour that determined teaching ability. So as a black South African (I know nationality is also a problem as some schools only hire American) I was lucky enough to be hired by a forward thinking school. So it's nice to know that there is some progress, even though it's very small.
Koreans prefer white people, and especially white females, as teachers? Who knew?
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