like a silenced hush in a room full of people...

...Ms. Mary Choi and Mr. "My Additional 2 Cents" have still yet to even respond to me.

is there some truth in my statements?
(i would sincerely hope not.)

truth enough to avoid the topic completely?
(please make some effort in this discussion.)

i'm not going to sit so firm on my argument.
(your opinions will offer a great insight to me, about this matter.)

i want to hear something positive from you (and your's) so i can look at this from a different point of view and standard from my own.

racism roots from something in all societies, and of course america as well.
america had very difficult times, and still needs to press on more for positive and effective change.

...the society, has made great social progress.

still a ways to go, but looking better as compared to the past.
(i hope i don't have to regret my optimistic view of this.)

so korean society, is by no means the only society dealing with such conditions.

i guess in your hearts, you would rather i direct my focus on my own societies problems, rather than questioning you about yours.

but since we all live in a kind of global society, isn't it constructive to bridge the gaps through communication and understanding?

to all three of you, "Mary", "My Additional 2 Cents" and including
Mr.or Ms. "N/A" to whom i've directed my response to in this forum, as well as the entire forum of people, i hope to hear something that can bridge and misunderstandings.

it's easy to point the judgemental fingers of blame at each other, but it takes great courage to confront the negative aspects..together.

my point of view only comes from my own american brand of mixed ethnicity in my background.

overseas, people like me aren't viewed as american, for simply not looking caucasian.
i'm first thought to be from Africa or India...(cool huh?)

but the fact is, my ethnic diversity represents much of the ingredients, of the ancestral and cultural history of america.

america is not just the face of various diversities of caucasian, european backgrounds.
...and it's not my attempt to show ill feelings for those of caucasian ethnicity...for i too share a part of their culture in my ancestry.

and happy about that fact.

you see the point i'm trying to make is, america may have represented itself to the world, as a kind of one people nation, during a period of history...

...but for people, in america, born in america and having ancestry here in america...the look of america is not just the look of one set of people.

you may know america a the melting pot nation.

...if you know this fact, then accepting a diverse set of people, representing native english speaking people teaching in your schools in Korea, should make sense.

still...there seems to be a problem accepting this.

why?

my only balancing conclusion is the expectations of people coming from different cultures, seeing things completely different from each other.

i know that racism is deep rooted in asian cultures, and not always about skin color, but rather economic status.

so i might know your culture has dealt with racism even before the wave of native english speakers went to your country, with their unique, but different values.

if you use your societies value systems, when evaluating people from other societies, then for example, you might judge people of caucasian american ancestry as more advanced in education and economic status, while at the same time evaluating people of darker skin tones as being lesser educated and lower on the economic ladder.

i understand this ideology, though i can't agree with it here in american society, because the education, and economic ladder had always only represented greater benefits to those of the privledged
american class.

maybe this was true in your social history too.

this is not to say that the under-privledged were less educated, or less able to be productive citizens, given fair opportunities.

so in Korean society, if people judge other people from cultures who they only know from foreign hollywood movies,(that usually centered it's productions on the social priveledged) or some media or politics, then this is unfortunate.

i'm guessing that the average Korean family loves and wants the very best for their children.
maybe in their hearts they don't directly want to hate people with darker skin...
...but haven't had the chances to learn any more about people of color coming from english speaking western countries.

...and maybe they can't stand the idea of not knowing whether to trust their children's education, from people who they may have only learned are less educated or less successful in the west.

but this is not true, for many people of color are highly intelligent, educated, articulate and share in some economic success.

myself born with the talents of the artist, i may never know the material benefits of money. (^_^)
i can say that i'm even poor, but i have education and talent.

i guess my ethnicity and the fact that money and i usually don't come togeter too often (poor)...hee hee...would not make me a prime candidate for teaching english in Korea.

i have taught overseas though, and i won't mention the country, because i really don't want to lead anyone to any misunderstanding about any society and it's people.

i've learned that race, age (from Michael) and gender can be negative obstacles in determining "who" the more desired "native" english speaking teachers are, to be hired by your nations schools, hakwons and the like.

you know, i agree with you and Sanja, that many times non-native english students studying english, at times, do a better job with the language than do the native english speakers, coming from the big 5:
U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and America.

i can tell you that some of the most beautiful and eloquent english that i've ever heard, has come from the mouths of african nationals.

yet, they are the last to be considered as even having intelligence, or even good english skills.

so i've come full circle in this discussion...and have landed right back to the question of the prevailing (seemingly) racist discrimination pracices on hiring teachers.

i just feel i want to understand this more clear, because i grew up not completely fitting in most racial groups, yet at the same time fitting in with all, due to my own racial mixed ethnicity.

in america, i'm visible, yet invisible at that same time...if you can kind of understand what i'm saying.

different cultures i can try to understand, for i grew up several years in a european country, due to my families career.
i'm from america, so are my family, but i had the fortunate experience to see america from a slightly different point of view.

so i hope i can say that travel, and experience with people from different cultures is the best way to bridge any gaps in communication and respect.