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My opinion on this. Please read first, and THEN attack me if you feel so inclined, because I know it's a hugely emotional issue.
Disclaimer first: there are ABSOLUTELY ZERO EXCUSES for 마이콜 or 고은애 to still be around in 2020. https://twitter.com/multifacetedacg/status/1317128802720514048
Disclaimer first: there are ABSOLUTELY ZERO EXCUSES for 마이콜 or 고은애 to still be around in 2020. https://twitter.com/multifacetedacg/status/1317128802720514048
Now, were there any excuses for them existing in the 1980s? Again, no, but you have to understand how isolated Korea was.
Again, no excuse, but the sad truth is that a whole lot of countries used those gross caricatures of Black people back in the day.
Again, no excuse, but the sad truth is that a whole lot of countries used those gross caricatures of Black people back in the day.
You can see it in France (Astérix), Belgium (Tintin, which was often disgustingly racist), Japan, and of course the incredibly racist shit from Disney and WB.
So when Koreans started doing comics, they looked at those, because what else was there?
So when Koreans started doing comics, they looked at those, because what else was there?
Koreans couldn't travel abroad, and there were no foreigners in Korea except US soldiers and some small embassies. There was also no internet.
So they drew Black people like a bunch of hugely famous comics did, and who was there to tell them that was wrong?
So they drew Black people like a bunch of hugely famous comics did, and who was there to tell them that was wrong?
And what happened was that those cartoons - 아기공룡 둘리 and 달려라 하니 - became cultural touchstones for two generations. Think Mickey Mouse and Sailor Moon.
And, well, people in '80s Korea would use "Michol" as a nickname for their friends with big lips.
Yeah, sorry.
And, well, people in '80s Korea would use "Michol" as a nickname for their friends with big lips.
Yeah, sorry.
Fast forward to our day.
Now, I am the first to admit that Korean society hasn't done anywhere enough to create awareness on racial issues, which is why you still see shit like that, and CA, and other assorted fuckery every day.
Now, I am the first to admit that Korean society hasn't done anywhere enough to create awareness on racial issues, which is why you still see shit like that, and CA, and other assorted fuckery every day.
Yes, you can say that Google is free, but would you learn chemistry or French on your own if it wasn't taught at school? Where would you even start learning about an issue that your society doesn't see as one?
So that is my point: it is a systemic failing, largely because school systems and such have not yet caught on to Korea's increases cultural significance in the world.
That does not mean that I am absolving individual artists or media companies from any blame, though:
That does not mean that I am absolving individual artists or media companies from any blame, though:
Bureaucracies and social mores take decades to change, and again, Korea had negligible foreign contact until 30 years ago.
But the companies that make money abroad NEED to develop some cultural responsibility - and instill it in their artists, as well.
But the companies that make money abroad NEED to develop some cultural responsibility - and instill it in their artists, as well.
Because as tiring as this shit is for me, I cannot even imagine how tiring it is for Black people who want to enjoy our culture, yet are confronted with shit like this EVERY DAMN DAY.
