Americans Show Understanding Over Koreans' Backlash Worry
Title
Americans Show Understanding Over Koreans' Backlash Worry
Description
By Korea Times Reporters
Koreans and Americans appear to have different views on the causes of the Virginia shooting spree as the Korean fear of backlash was overcome by an American outpouring of compassion and help.
Koreans, especially those living in America, are still fearful that the recent Virginia Tech tragedy would spawn an anti-Korean backlash but Americans in general have extended their hand of support to Koreans, claiming that this incident had nothing to do with race.
Rather, they say, it was the case of a deeply troubled young man.
Following the tragedy, readers worldwide sent dozens of letters to The Korea Times to express their views on the massacre.
``Not once has anyone blamed this on Korea, Koreans, or the fact that this troubled young man was of Korean heritage,'' American D. Rittner wrote in an e-mail to The Korea Times.
``It is important for Koreans to realize that Americans do not blame Korea or Korean people for the psychotic crimes of Cho Seung-hui, just because he happened to be Korean. What is surprising to Americans, and regrettable, is that some Koreans actually expect Americans to somehow hate Koreans because of this tragedy. Such a mob-justice `backlash' is in reality abhorrent and unthinkable to us.'' Ryan Rafferty of Burke, told The Korea Times from Virginia.
He added that on a national level, most Americans view South Korea with admiration, and consider the Korean people to be close partners. He said many American families or their adopted children are of Korean descent, and the personal bonds between Koreans and people of other backgrounds in America are strong.
``Therefore, for these reasons as well, to anticipate any wide-spread enmity developing toward Korean people in the United States is as unlikely as to expect a person to develop hatred toward his own brothers and sisters,'' he said.
Currently more than 90,000 Korean students are studying in America, according to the U.S. Embassy.
``The shooting is quite a tragedy, but I find it equally tragic that the Korean government, and perhaps many of the Korean people, seemingly feel somehow responsible, or connected to this tragedy,'' according to James L.R. Moody in an email to The Korea Times.
He said, ``Ultimately, Cho is responsible for his actions, but the fact that he is Korean is in no way indicative of the Korean people. We as Americans can only look at ourselves and shoulder the blame for promoting violence through our movies, television, and gun culture, and our irresponsible lack of any sensible gun control laws.''
Maria Almamater said, `` While I am extremely horrified by what has happened in Virginia, with 32 senseless deaths, I wish to stand by South Korea in this time of distress.''
``Suppose an American lunatic happens to sneak into Korea and kill someone _ should President George W. Bush apologize? Should Americans be sad? South Koreans, please don't feel sad at all.''
She added that you must find courage. ``Your ruling people need not feel sad or apologize. It is the work of a lunatic who was proven to be mentally unstable. And if at all, it is the U.S. to blame _ this boy was born in Korea, but trained in the United States. What training did he receive then?''
An American living abroad said, `` Although I am horrified by the tragedy, I am also very touched by the outpouring of sympathy and compassion by the Korean people worldwide.''
You have once again proven that Koreans are honorable and humble, he said.
D. Rittner added, `` Initially I was surprised to hear that Koreans and Korean-Americans are fearful of a backlash as a result of the tragedy. Not once has anyone blamed this on Korea, Koreans, or the fact that this troubled young man was of Korean heritage.''
``The actions and motivations of Cho are most definitely not a result of his ethnicity. It is the result of his own personality,'' he added.
Americans have been slow to point their finger at Cho's nationality but they have been quick to address his disturbed mental state and the lack of gun laws in the U.S.
Deryan H. MaGill, project manager of the Texas-based Dell Computer, said, ``The incident was done by an individual with an emotional disorder.
``I was very sad to find out that the boy was an immigrant but the media here I have watched have not made discriminatory remarks or made reference to terrorism,'' she said from Austin, Texas.
She said, `` None of the discussion at work or in our community has been about race following the tragedy. I hope the media coverage you are seeing in Korea isn't prejudice.''
``I am very sad for Cho's parents and for all the families affected. This is truly a tragedy. You do not owe anyone an apology. We need to pray for healing, peace and for all the families,'' she said
The Korean community in America has responded warmly to Americans' outpouring of support.
``Reminded of the treatment toward Arabs in America in the wake of 9/11, I grew fearful that this incident could trigger hate crimes against Koreans in the U.S., and I stayed inside Tuesday following the story as it unfolded on television,'' Kim Se-jong, one of The Korea Times global student reporters said.
``But by watching the news and observing issues brought from this incident, I find the focus isn't much on his identity and nationality. Much of the focus is on the suspect's mental instability, gun control, poor communication between the school faculty and the students,'' she said.
The former chairwoman of Virginia Tech's English Department, took Cho out of his writing class, and decided to teach him one-on-one because she was so disturbed by the content of his writings but many argue that school officials didn't do enough to address Cho's struggling mental state. They said the tragedy could have been avoided had people listened to the young man's cry for help.
``The significance of a helping hand cannot be overemphasized. When we are aware of someone who is in distress, we demonstrate compassion by extending ourselves to that person, rather than ignoring the need. And when we allow others to help us when we are in trouble, we ease our own burdens and defuse potentially devastating circumstances,'' Cornell University President David Skorton said.
--
Original Source: Korea Times
<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1310&categoryCode=117
">http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1310&categoryCode=117</a>
Koreans and Americans appear to have different views on the causes of the Virginia shooting spree as the Korean fear of backlash was overcome by an American outpouring of compassion and help.
Koreans, especially those living in America, are still fearful that the recent Virginia Tech tragedy would spawn an anti-Korean backlash but Americans in general have extended their hand of support to Koreans, claiming that this incident had nothing to do with race.
Rather, they say, it was the case of a deeply troubled young man.
Following the tragedy, readers worldwide sent dozens of letters to The Korea Times to express their views on the massacre.
``Not once has anyone blamed this on Korea, Koreans, or the fact that this troubled young man was of Korean heritage,'' American D. Rittner wrote in an e-mail to The Korea Times.
``It is important for Koreans to realize that Americans do not blame Korea or Korean people for the psychotic crimes of Cho Seung-hui, just because he happened to be Korean. What is surprising to Americans, and regrettable, is that some Koreans actually expect Americans to somehow hate Koreans because of this tragedy. Such a mob-justice `backlash' is in reality abhorrent and unthinkable to us.'' Ryan Rafferty of Burke, told The Korea Times from Virginia.
He added that on a national level, most Americans view South Korea with admiration, and consider the Korean people to be close partners. He said many American families or their adopted children are of Korean descent, and the personal bonds between Koreans and people of other backgrounds in America are strong.
``Therefore, for these reasons as well, to anticipate any wide-spread enmity developing toward Korean people in the United States is as unlikely as to expect a person to develop hatred toward his own brothers and sisters,'' he said.
Currently more than 90,000 Korean students are studying in America, according to the U.S. Embassy.
``The shooting is quite a tragedy, but I find it equally tragic that the Korean government, and perhaps many of the Korean people, seemingly feel somehow responsible, or connected to this tragedy,'' according to James L.R. Moody in an email to The Korea Times.
He said, ``Ultimately, Cho is responsible for his actions, but the fact that he is Korean is in no way indicative of the Korean people. We as Americans can only look at ourselves and shoulder the blame for promoting violence through our movies, television, and gun culture, and our irresponsible lack of any sensible gun control laws.''
Maria Almamater said, `` While I am extremely horrified by what has happened in Virginia, with 32 senseless deaths, I wish to stand by South Korea in this time of distress.''
``Suppose an American lunatic happens to sneak into Korea and kill someone _ should President George W. Bush apologize? Should Americans be sad? South Koreans, please don't feel sad at all.''
She added that you must find courage. ``Your ruling people need not feel sad or apologize. It is the work of a lunatic who was proven to be mentally unstable. And if at all, it is the U.S. to blame _ this boy was born in Korea, but trained in the United States. What training did he receive then?''
An American living abroad said, `` Although I am horrified by the tragedy, I am also very touched by the outpouring of sympathy and compassion by the Korean people worldwide.''
You have once again proven that Koreans are honorable and humble, he said.
D. Rittner added, `` Initially I was surprised to hear that Koreans and Korean-Americans are fearful of a backlash as a result of the tragedy. Not once has anyone blamed this on Korea, Koreans, or the fact that this troubled young man was of Korean heritage.''
``The actions and motivations of Cho are most definitely not a result of his ethnicity. It is the result of his own personality,'' he added.
Americans have been slow to point their finger at Cho's nationality but they have been quick to address his disturbed mental state and the lack of gun laws in the U.S.
Deryan H. MaGill, project manager of the Texas-based Dell Computer, said, ``The incident was done by an individual with an emotional disorder.
``I was very sad to find out that the boy was an immigrant but the media here I have watched have not made discriminatory remarks or made reference to terrorism,'' she said from Austin, Texas.
She said, `` None of the discussion at work or in our community has been about race following the tragedy. I hope the media coverage you are seeing in Korea isn't prejudice.''
``I am very sad for Cho's parents and for all the families affected. This is truly a tragedy. You do not owe anyone an apology. We need to pray for healing, peace and for all the families,'' she said
The Korean community in America has responded warmly to Americans' outpouring of support.
``Reminded of the treatment toward Arabs in America in the wake of 9/11, I grew fearful that this incident could trigger hate crimes against Koreans in the U.S., and I stayed inside Tuesday following the story as it unfolded on television,'' Kim Se-jong, one of The Korea Times global student reporters said.
``But by watching the news and observing issues brought from this incident, I find the focus isn't much on his identity and nationality. Much of the focus is on the suspect's mental instability, gun control, poor communication between the school faculty and the students,'' she said.
The former chairwoman of Virginia Tech's English Department, took Cho out of his writing class, and decided to teach him one-on-one because she was so disturbed by the content of his writings but many argue that school officials didn't do enough to address Cho's struggling mental state. They said the tragedy could have been avoided had people listened to the young man's cry for help.
``The significance of a helping hand cannot be overemphasized. When we are aware of someone who is in distress, we demonstrate compassion by extending ourselves to that person, rather than ignoring the need. And when we allow others to help us when we are in trouble, we ease our own burdens and defuse potentially devastating circumstances,'' Cornell University President David Skorton said.
--
Original Source: Korea Times
<a href="http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1310&categoryCode=117
">http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/nation_view.asp?newsIdx=1310&categoryCode=117</a>
Creator
Korea times reporters
Date
2007-10-11
Contributor
Haeyong Chung
Language
eng
Citation
Korea times reporters, “Americans Show Understanding Over Koreans' Backlash Worry,” The April 16 Archive, accessed April 24, 2024, https://april16archive.org/items/show/1444.