Caucasian Only!

Recently, I gave a talk about my experiences living in South Korea at the LGBTRC Quench presentation. I discussed the effects of color-ism within the Indian community and within my family to provide context.  I discussed in details about the interactions with students and teachers who were apprehensive at first. I openly talked about how I was treated for being a person of color in Korea while providing context of accepted norms of beauty and body image.

Although South Korea is rather new to the international stage, although this can be contested, there are a lot of advertisements for English teachers that require one to be Caucasian only. Things became so bad that the recruiters required a Skype/video interview along with having to attach a picture with your resume.  The media's distinction of people of color is not a pretty one.

Here is a video in Korean with subtitles attempting to describe the meaning of using black face followed by some examples in how black face has been portrayed in the media:

Korea Black Face

This next video depicts a nationally aired "documentary." The documentary talks about the immoral behavior of foreigners (Americans). They basically say that we (Americans) date/rape/manipulate Korean women and give them HIV.  FYI, by Korean Law you must have an HIV and Drug test completed in country.  If tested positive for HIV and/or Drugs you must fund your own ticket back to your home country. Because clearly, people with HIV cannot teach English properly (sarcasm).

Foreigners in Korea

To add to the constant harassment of not being white enough to be a qualified English teacher, there are now more and more White recruiters of English teachers in Korea that run "Caucasian Only Ads."  Today's post/vent was brought on by this article that is circulating among my English teaching friends in Korea.  To them, this is nothing new. To the recruiter, this is nothing new.  Nothing he will challenge, and by his attitude an adjustment everyone must make when coming to Korea or not come at all.