It's All Over the Place

Naturally, discrimination due to race, sex, ethnic group, nearly anything exists all over the world. As I have often written about, it certainly exists in Japan. The Japanese government goes out of its way to avoid the issue, claim otherwise, justify it, or flat out lie about it.

But Japan is really not that bad. For most, especially those of European (Caucasian) background, it is for the most part subtle and benevolent. There are other countries in which it is much worse. In a lot of Asia apparently, it is just fine to advocate the idea of a "pure race" or "pure blood." This idea has significance in Japan, but it is not something that hits one in the face here.

I remember when I was in the Air Force years ago and spent 2 years in South Korea. I loved Korea and the Koreans, but it nobody ever assumed that the Korean did not practice open discrimination. For some reason, nobody complained much, like we tend to do about Japan. I wonder why this is? Lower expectations for the Koreans? Fewer foreigners living there?

Anyway, the Koreans, unlike the Japanese, have no qualms about getting in your face about something. If they don't like you, you'll probably be more likely to know it.

Here is an interesting article about discrimination against Koreans born of Korean mothers and American fathers and the "pure blood" idea pushed in the education system there.

The article is at http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/02/22/news/mixed.php

If that link vanishes, see it at: http://archive.wn.com/2006/02/23/1400/seouldaily/ From an ostracized class, a hero for Koreans

Should both disappear go to: http://archive.wn.com/2006/02/23/1400/p/fe/5220bccd58e2f0.html

Should all those links be missing for this post, searh the internet for an article titled, From an ostracized class, a hero for Koreans from the International Herald Tribune, originally published on 22 February 2006.