May 2020 "To See with Eyes Unclouded by Hate"

To See with Eyes Unclouded by Hate

This quote comes from the Studio Ghibli film, Princess Mononoke. Lots of viewers remember these words because they matter, and they matter because they speak to every situation. Why are you in Korea? To see with eyes unclouded by hate. Why are you listening to music you don't even understand? To see with eyes unclouded by hate. Why are you marching in the gay pride parade when you're not gay? To see with eyes unclouded by hate. Why are you participating in racial protests when you're white? To see with eyes unclouded by hate. I find I hate less when I'm sharing the same space and looking at the same things.

This is why I came to Korea. I knew almost nothing about the peninsula until college, but then I began listening to Korean music, watching Korean shows, and eating Korean food. Meanwhile I never listened to black music, never watched films with a majority of black actors, and rarely shared meals with black people. This is how I learned to love the Korean people, and this is how I failed to learn to love the African American community.

These days I care deeply about the issues Korean people face, but I didn't start to care because I felt bad about having it better than them, or because someone handed me some nifty statistics about inequality. I started to care because I liked watching sparkly kpop music videos. I know its not ideal. I wish I could care about people automatically but I can't. I think concern for black people, and for that matter people from any race or culture, has to start from being human together. We have to start occupying the same spaces and getting to know new narratives, then we can learn to love. We don't question someone about their hurt when we love them; we just see that they are hurt and trust their hurt matters.

I want to try to watch, listen to, and overall learn who these people are. What do they laugh about? How do they tell stories? What do they do in school? How do they like to hang out with friends? At the same time part of me wants to argue I shouldn't think black lives are so different from mine, but US communities are incredibly divided by race. When I traveled to high schools to recruit for my university, the environment of a mostly white catholic school and that of a mostly black public school in the same city were very different. I just want to try harder to be human with others.

Korea and Black Lives Matter

Here's what people are thinking in Korea.

H1GHR MUSIC, a hip-hop label, announced that since their artists draw heavily on musical influences originating from black culture, they would participate in #BlackOutTuesday, postpone their June 2nd music release, and send a donation.

Below are two screenshots from the H1GHR MUSIC rapper Ph1's Instagram stories. One contains shots of H1GHR MUSIC's staff and musicians with Black Lives Matter banners, and in the other Ph1 explains the movement to his 500,000+ followers.

A quick assessment of the artists who participate in spreading awareness or showing solidarity with the black community, H1GHR MUSIC included, seem to have either a personal connection to the US (many are Korean American) or they create music that originated in the African American community. Korean hip-hop artists, though many accuse them of appropriating black culture, seem to really try to recognize those who created the genre. Samuel Seo regularly introduced African American music on his radio show and talked about the artists' significant musical influence. Samuel also got rid of his dreadlocks when someone told him it might be considered cultural appropriation. I think Koreans are always trying really hard to be a multiculturally safe community. The below video shows what others are thinking about the incident.

The consensus of the interviewees is, 1) perceptions of the US has grown negative recently, partially due to this incident, 2) they believe racism is a problem in America and are opposed to it and, 3) some support the protests but most think they're too violent.

To me, the most visible opinion voiced by Korea has been one of support for the Black Lives Matter movement. However, I am no expert on this subject since I have spent nearly all my waking hours working on my remaining projects or worrying about the state of the world. I know we'll get through this.

What I'm Listening to

Some Korean songs I thought fit the situation.

1.) Barriers by Bursters

A screamo group I actually got to see in person when I went to Music Bank last July. Their song about the fight against discrimination seemed appropriate. Perhaps you're not a fan of screamo but give it a try.

2.) Unity by Samuel Seo

English Lyrics:

You don't know me
I don't know you
About each other
We know nothing
We're just people passing by

Passing moment
Our connection like grass

Our relationship is one in which we'll probably
Never see each other again

Just passing by

So, um...
Let's get to get to know each other
It's a waste of time at this rate
Each other each other yeah
Each other each other yeah

The happy memories of each other
Sit still and share
Get to know each other
Each other each other yeah
Each other each other yeah

What I'm Watching

Queer Eye has nothing to do with Korea, but the show makes me happy and exposes me to the LGBTQ community, and I thank them for that.

Photos

May foods and drinks! Not going out super much nowadays but doing what I can to stay mentally healthy!

👍

My boots got covered in mud here, which I still haven't washed off...

I love this tunnel. It's constantly changing as new groups come in to spray-paint. Every time I pass through I'll slow my walk to look around.

Some art in the café a friend and I visited after a day's hike.

My parents recently completed their kitchen renovation! It's my favorite room in the house because of the lighting. I'm excited to park myself there one morning (coffee in hand) when I visit!

괜찮아 잘 될 거야 (It's ok everything will be alright)

Meet Boe! I bought him after threatening to buy a plant for a month. I wanted something easy to grow and this guy had the cutest face. As I was leaving the flower shop the owner told me, "Raise him well!"

My roof. I come here every morning and evening to set Boe out or take him inside (remember I don't have a window). It's nice to breathe the air without a mask for a bit and just think. I like looking at the skyline or noticing lights as they're flipped on or off at night.

Took some time to enjoy the nature in Jongmyo which, though nestled in the heart of the city, is quite impressive.

I received the advertisement on the right and it reminded me of something...

마무리까지 함께 해주셔서 고맙습니다! 다음 달 뵙겠습니다~

Comments

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