“My friend in America says they are very dangerous. You know. They have guns.”
This isn’t the first time I’ve heard this in Korea.
Several nights ago, Jessica and I went to dinner with the teachers and staff from my school. At two separate times, from two separate people, I was asked the same question...
Are you afraid of black people?
In America, are they dangerous?
I wasn’t sure exactly how to answer the question. I knew the answer, but I didn’t know how to say it. The answer was a bit complex...so was the language barrier. I started off simple...
White people have guns.
Black people have guns.
White people can be dangerous.
Black people can be dangerous.
From the nod of his head, I think he understood. Easy enough. But I wasn’t content to stop there. I knew why my co-teachers had these ideas in their heads. Living in a place like Yeongju, as well as most places in the country, Koreans do not see black people. Occasionally. But not often. At all. And when they do happen to see them, it isn’t for long. Maybe just passing on the street. Or eating in the same restaurant.
There are only a handful of black people in Yeongju. They are all professional. Teachers. College educated. Productive members of society like you and me.
Why, then, do Koreans have such a negative and fearful view of black people?
I think the answer is more straightforward: TV.
Where else do they experience black people with any regularity? Certainly not in person. But that raises another question. A question that can't boast of being asked very much. It's not as controversial as the other racial questions. It doesn't make a good headline or TV rating.
Why are many...
(not all, of course. I understand the danger of making a sweeping generalized statement.)
...black people signing up to be portrayed in such a negative manner?
For example...
Why are many...
(not all, of course. I understand the danger of making a sweeping generalized statement.)
...black people signing up to be portrayed in such a negative manner?
For example...
The gentleman who made this video in response to a political attack ad is exactly right in asserting that the "film-maker" has produced an inaccurate, offensive, racist, and sexist ad. I agree completely. But another question (equally as important, if not more important), is not being asked.
Why did the two "gang bangers" and the "stripper" agree to be in the ad?
Why did two black gentlemen agree to be portrayed as thugs and gang members?
Why did a white woman agree to be portrayed as a stripper?
At the 3:18 point in the response video, the question is asked...
"Why not put him (Pete Carroll) in the video? You wanna call him a gangbanger? But oooh no, they had to deliver a racist message...."
The maker of the ad can be correctly labeled as racist. But he, and many others like him, could not continue to make such "films" if they do not have actors/actresses agreeing to star in them. The two actors are never accused of delivering a racist message...only the man behind the video. Would he be able to make such an ad if black actors refused to do so?
TV. Movies. Music.
Too many (not all, of course) actors/actresses are enabling racist film makers.
Too many (not all, of course) actors/actresses are providing racist film makers with characters who are gang bangers, strippers, thugs, stereotypical black people, etc.
What would happen if black actors and actresses refused to play any role that portrayed them as such?
TV. Movies. Music.
These are the reasons many Koreans are fearful of black people. It's all they have to base their ideas on.
Your thoughts are very much appreciated.
I agree.
ReplyDeletegreat questions. i think that you're right that your friends' perceptions of black people are shaped by pop culture/most media. they have no contact with black people. that said, i think a lot of white people here in the states choose not to have meaningful relationships with black people and hold the same misconceptions as your korean friends. the people here have no excuse. they consciously choose to hold those opinions even when they see all colors of people most every day. pretty scary, i think.
ReplyDeletethe answer to the question of why do actors take those roles, i think, is as straightforward as your answer earlier. in this case it's money. people will do crazy stuff for money. and, of course, we don't know the politics/mental state of any of the actors. they may have gladly done it for other reasons that aren't obvious based on the information we/you have.
you're welcome. haaa, jk. viva corea.
Agreed. Money makes the world go 'round.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't put it all on the actors. Everyone sells out for money or prestige in some form or fashion. I would think that the producers/casting director/screen writers share in the blame for coming up with the part and what type of person is going to play it. Then they just fill the slot.
ReplyDeleteAnd why do they write such a part into TV, Movies, & Music? Because it sells! The public buy it.
Therefore, no market = no sterotypical part = no racisit media.
I think the better question Jake, is why do we pay to listen to "gangster" music, or watch similar movies with these racist sterotyped parts?
Lets not deflect the blame to the actors who merely fill the roles, but lets take responsibility for creating the market for such roles.
What movies are you watching? What are your favorite TV shows? What music do you like?
People don't change on their own. This is why we trust in the Gospel to change hearts.
Robert...agreed. I wouldn't put it all on the actors either. Like the video above, the film maker is definitely to blame, along with all of the people who love controversy and the media that hands it out. However, I do think that minority actors/actresses are not held responsible by civil rights leaders, etc...at least not seriously and consistently. My main concern was people like the guy who filmed the response video. He never mentioned the two "gangbangers" as being a contributing factor to a racist video. If every black actor refused to play that part, these videos, songs, movies, etc. wouldn't be made.
ReplyDeleteBut my concerns are all irrelevant I'm afraid. As long as people are paying, this kind of thing won't stop.
Thanks for commenting (and reading)!