I don’t know what I expected from South Korea. OK, actually I do. I expected everyone to be annoyed at me, an obvious Korean, and frustrated that I didn’t speak the language. I expected to be a freak of nature. And I expected for them to not understand that I grew up in the US.
My expectations stemmed from stories I’d heard from other visitors to South Korea and what I experienced in China. But my expectations were wrong. Very wrong. I’ve not been singled out here in Seoul. A few people are curious, but many here just assume I’m Korean and was born in the US to parents who didn’t find it necessary to teach me the language. They accept that I’m American, are happy when I try to use Korean, but don’t badger me with personal questions.
But it’s not just me that they don’t poke and prod at like circus freaks. It’s all Americans. They don’t gape and gasp at overweight ones nor do they whisper about African Americans. They’ve been exposed to so many Americans through the military families here and the girls of America’s Next Top Model that they realize we’re the melting pot we claim to be.
This was exemplified in my visit to the War Memorial Museum yesterday. The museum had information about all the UN troops who fought in the Korean War. In one room, the Koreans have put up statistics, dates, and a uniformed soldier mannequin for each country largely represented. The US’ soldier was an African-American. I looked around at the other countries, and most were represented by the country’s majority race. But I found it incredibly intriguing that the Koreans seem to have realized that not all Americans are white…something I find many other countries struggle with understanding about us.
South Korea seems like a very interesting country. Do you find that a certain majority holds on to tradition, or are they generally more open to Western ways?
Koreans and blacks make such beautiful babies! I’m not just saying that. Its true. As a high schooler in Federal Way, Wa, the most beautiful people at my school were Korean and Black. So, what i think i’m trying to say is, Jayna, we should have babies. Kidding!
this is one freaky looking museum.
I’d say they do hold on to tradition to some degree…I can’t fully say how much as I haven’t gotten to know the locals on a deep level. But they do seem more open to Western ways compared to the other Asian countries I’ve been to.
I find it fascinating that they use a black soldier because it’s probably a more accurate reflection of the U.S. military than most Americans realize.
Miss you!!