CNN reported just now that Koreans gathered around our embassy

[Skidmore]

to express shame for the VT incident last week. Just noting...when has our nation ever collectively bowed its head to express shame for acts of violence we have been responsible for?

[MissB]

1. That isn't a part of our cultural makeup.

So I suppose the answer is: never.

We're always number 1. No excuses. What one wingnut American does is not representative of our country. (note: this isn't my viewpoint)

[MADem]

2. Where is "our embassy" of which you speak? NT

[supernova]

4. Our embassy in Seoul?

Just guessing.

[Skidmore]

11. Oops, sorry. Yes, in Seoul.

[Maddy McCall]

3. I think that every anti-war protest is a collective demonstration of shame.

Aside from the war, can you think of any single event perpetrated by an American citizen that parallels this one?

I can't, but I've got a foggy head from fever.

[GaYellowDawg]

5. And the true irony:

Koreans weren't responsible. One man, who happened to be Korean, was. So Koreans apparently expressed shame for something that wasn't even their fault.

If I were President right now, I'd have someone conversant with the S. Korean culture tell me a proper "thank you but it wasn't your fault" response, have someone translate it into Korean and broadcast it to the S. Koreans in their language. Of course, Bush probably won't even acknowledge it.

[Solly Mack]

9. Someone that knew Korean culture would know NOT to tell them

that

This is a matter of face. They didn't do it for Americans, per se...they did it because face demanded they do it. Honor demanded they do it. Graciously accept it and move on.

[sandnsea]

10. For once, I wish we had recommend

for comments. Thank you for adding that, so that people will understand what has taken place.

[Solly Mack]

17. It's a very serious occasion and one that should be respected for what it is

and not be seen through our culture...it would be an insult to do anything but graciously accept and move on. I am humbled by it.

Thank you for your words!!

[Skidmore]

14. Thank you for the inisght. It is appreciated.

Solly, it is very sad that we have no such face to save these days for our own nation.

[Solly Mack]

18. We have face, Skidmore, I think anyway - a very damaged face

but with humility, we can help to heal it....but it will take lots of humility.

[senseandsensibility]

29. Great comment.

And off subject: I love your Dr. Seuss quote!:hi:

[Solly Mack]

30. I'm a Fox in Socks kind of person :o)

:hi:

[flyarm]

31. i am humbled by the Koreans!..i wrap my arms around them..as well

as all at Virginia Tech.

and the family of the Shooter..as well.

it would be any families nightmare...no matter who you are.

Thank you people of Korea.

fly ..a former Hokie baseball player's mom

[daleo]

13. And that man left Korea when he was an eight year old boy

He actually lived in the U.S. nearly twice as long as he did in Korea.

[Solly Mack]

6. I'm deeply moved

and deeply shamed

[BeyondGeography]

7. A noble gesture

hopefully, one of our representatives there knows the proper response.

[msongs]

8. "we"? koreans are not responsible for that guy . nt

[Skidmore]

12. I know. It just very much moves me that a people

can collectively express regret in this manner--even though as a nation, the Koreans are not responsible for the acts of one disturbed man. Our nation HAS been responsible for some pretty oppressive stuff abroad and we never even acknowledge responsibility, let alone apologize.

[jazzjunkysue]

15. Save Alberto! Hurry!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=723493&mesg_id=723493

[AZBlue]

16. What a beautiful gesture!

We should all learn from this.

[WiseButAngrySara]

19. This makes me weep! It is so moving. Why doesn't B* do that? ....n/t

[WiseButAngrySara]

20. For those of you who haven't read IChing's post on Margaret Cho

here it is in it's entirety.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x719895

Our Humanity by Margaret Cho-A korean comedian on the issue.

Whenever anything really bad happens around Korean people, that is when I would like to hide, go to Hawaii and eat spam sushi until it blows over. I don’t want to comment on it because I don't want to escalate the situation and I don't want to implicate myself in it. I don't want to 'come out' as Asian because therein lies a tremendous responsibility that I never volunteered for, that I don't have any real control over, and that is as mysterious to me as it is to someone who isn't Asian.

So here is the whole terrible mess of the shootings at Virginia Tech. I look at the shooter's expressionless face on the news and he looks so familiar, like he could be in my family. Just another one of us. But how can he be us when what he has done is so terrible? Here is where I can really envy white people because when white people do something that is inexplicably awful, so brutally and horribly wrong, nobody says – “do you think it is because he is white?” There are no headlines calling him the “White shooter." There is no mention of race because there is no thought in anyone's mind that his race had anything to do with his crime.

So much attention is focused on the Asian-ness of the shooter, how the Korean community is reacting to it, South Korea's careful condolences and cautiously expressed fear that it will somehow impact the South Korean population at large.

What is lost here is the grief. What is lost is the great, looming sadness that we should all feel over this. We lose our humanity to racism, time and time again.>>>>>snip

http://www.margaretcho.com/blog/ourhumanity.htm

[Madspirit]

21. Grrr!!

A culture of shame caused this. Our culture, their culture, most cultures. As humans, we shame and hide our mentally ill. THAT'S what is so fucking sick. People KNEW he needed help since he was a TINY little boy child. ...and they were just ashamed because they had a "different" son. His own sister's friends didn't even know she had a brother.

If his illness HAD been treated, this wouldn't be a discussion right now.

Excuse me while I GO PUKE.
Lee

[WiseButAngrySara]

22. Interesting point. Shame might appear noble as a grieving

Nation's gesture, and I think it is, but toxic shame and avoidance/denial is what most likely caused the malady in the first place, so is shame an appropriate gesture ever to heal shame?

[skids]

23. Here:

http://www.sorryeverybody.com/

[dysfunctional press]

24. hopefully the new president will lead us in such an act on jan.21, 2009.

the inauguration speech MUST include an apology to the world for what our nation has wrought under the current mis-administration.

[BeFree]

25. Thank You, People of Korea

This will help us heal a bit better. Thank you.

[JI7]

26. it's an Asian thing

cultural. my family is from India and it's kind of similar for them. the whole "causing shame to the family" thing.

it's ok to a certain extent. it would keep someone like Bush from attaining power here.

[symbolman]

27. It's called HONOR

our country has a dearth of it, we can blame Bush, or we can show it to the next human being we meet, regardless of race, creed or color.

They scream about HONOR in War, yet this is the HONOR of Humility, and I much prefer that, need to practice it more.

Odd, isn't it? They see that all things are connected, while we just try to scam someone out of their wallet :)

[LisaL]

28. Different culture. Apples and oranges.

[cassiepriam]

32. Americans seem proud of killing others. Like the wild wild west.