Korea doesn't see race the way you do
“They’re kind of shocked when I tell them I’m not American. Then they’re really disappointed that I’m not French either, because they love French people,” a young woman explained to the room. “When I tell them I’m from Africa — I don’t say Gabon because that just makes things more confusing — they don’t know how to react. It’s like they have no frame of reference. Why am I not poor, for example.…
Korea does not perceive race in the same manner as Western nations, according to a young African woman speaking to a group. Upon learning her nationality is not American or even French, as she is from Africa, the locals are taken aback. The woman struggles to explain her presence in Korea, as they have no basis for comparison. She empathizes with her students who face similar misunderstandings.
Professor Zeljana Zmire has coined the term "nouveau riche nationalism" to describe this phenomenon. According to her, many Koreans gauge how they treat individuals based on the economic status of the country they hail from, rather than solely considering skin color. For years, the young woman has encountered assumptions, questions, or outright statements suggesting she is from America.
Children would shout "Migukin onda (An American is coming!)" to her on the streets. The same assumptions would arise in crowded restaurants, where tables would make similar remarks. These instances are particularly noticeable when she is not visibly American.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- Korea doesn't see race the way you do koreatimes.co.kr
