on the subject, but if I understand it correctly, when a member of a korean family commits a violent act, it brings shame to the family.  Add to that the stupid, racists remarks that asians are undoubtedly being exposed to now [like the 'go back to china' remarks] and I bet that just adds insult to injury.

of Americans overall and certainly are not reflective of our societal stance.  It's not even specifically a "white thing".  People, especially children, will always single out the different kids and say something about them.  This is as true in Korea, a society so homogenous in makeup that any child who isn't 100% Korean is in for a lifetime of racist comments, as it is anywhere else.  And after a year and a half of living in West Africa being chased by little African kids chanting "yovo, yovo" or "whitey, whitey" at me I can't say any particular ethnic group in the world has covered itself with glory when it comes to racial sensitivity or tolerance.

The reason the Koreans are falling all over themselves apologizing is due to what our American eyes view as an unwarranted assumption of group responsibility for one individual's bad acts.  There also seems to be an implicit assumption on the part of Koreans in general that there will be some sort of a backlash which, frankly, is what happens when an American in Korea commits a bad act, particularly an American serviceman.  Such acts in the past have resulted in outraged demonstrations, occasional riots, and demands for apologies from Americans puzzled that they are being asked to give an apology when they did nothing wrong.

I guess it's just another little culture clash and eventually will go away. 

No, it's not a culture clash at all -- who do you think is clashing with whom?  The Korean community is simply embarrassed that the psycho in this instance happened to be Korean.  It is, as the previous comment suggested, a question of shame, which is a bigger deal in Asia than in the comparatively more guilt-oriented Western culture.

Also, while it is obvious that prejudice is a universal phenomenon, I'm having trouble understanding in what way that is relevant to this situation.  The protests you're talking about have to do with the presence of American troops in foreign lands, which tends to be a sore point in many of the other countries that we are occupying too.  Sorry but I fail to see the analogy.

collective sense of shame it also has a collective sense of blame.  The whole point was that many Koreans appeared to believe that because the killer was Korean they were going to be held collectively responsible.  This feeling was an extension of their sense of shame for his having been Korean.  As for the rest of the comment, I was responding to the comment about Cho's fellow students saying to "go back to China".  The point was being made that some Americans say and do racist things.  I was merely pointing out that such behavior is universal.  Oh, and the attacks by Koreans on America whenever an American commits a crime over there may be enhanced by the fact of our presence there - although it seems to me that young South Koreans are damned ungrateful for our service all these years keeping the nutty Kim family from their door - but it is also directly related to the collective sense of blame.

In October, 1996, as one member of a Sister Cities' delegation from Roanoke to Wonju, South Korea, I discovered the Asian definition of "southern hospitality".  As good as we are at it, the Koreans are better. 

Other than brief journeys to Bermuda, Canada and Mexico, this trip to South Korea was one of my first ventures to a distant foreign country, and because of the amazing yet somehow subtle generosity and politeness of the various South Koreans with whom we interacted, I was bitten by the travel bug and have made many such trips since then.

Our delegation included two Korean-Americans who spoke both languages fluently and were well received as Roanoke transplants by us and as able translators and guides by their former countrymen.  One member of our group was a former Marine who had fought in the Korean war, always wore his white war veterans' jacket adorned with various awards and recognitions, and was openly shown great respect and appreciation on the streets of Wonju with gifts and hugs and many, many thanks for what he had done for this now prosperous nation.

Without fail, we were royally welcomed into their homes and schools and places of worship, taken on shopping trips in their open-air markets and treated to expansive but simple meals in their restaurants and gathering halls.  The showering of gifts upon us in seemingly endless ceremonies reached a degree of near embarrassment, but we purchased additional luggage in order not to leave a single item behind.  To this day, I still wear the watch they gave me, and it keeps perfect time.

When they discovered that I had studied taekwondo (hand-foot art) for many years, I was given even more special recognition and treatment because I had invested so much time in one of their most popular national sports.  They were obviously honored by the fact that I was well acquainted with something that is very important to them.

The following year, when the City of Wonju sent a Sister Cities' delegation to Roanoke, we worked very hard to match their positive spirit and overt generosity, but I'm not sure that we succeeded.  It's quite difficult to be as appreciative and giving and helpful as the South Koreans, but we did our very best.

As is their custom - and due to their extraordinarily humble and self-deprecating nature - the South Koreans have assumed a sense of national guilt over the Virginia Tech tragedy but, much to their relief and near-surprise, they are now discovering that their nation is not being blamed by ours for that horrific event.

Perhaps we have all learned something from one another over the past 50+ years, and one thing's for certain; "southern hospitality" appears to be alive and well in both our countries.

From the worst possible tragedies can come unexpected positive results.  We can only hope that this will become yet another example of mutual national maturity and understanding.

Thanks.

Steve 

I enjoyed reading your post.

This is very interesting.

The posts that Steve makes here are ALWAYS enlightening!

His insight into the Webb campaign and friendship w/ Webb and his supporters has always shed light onto issues about Webb that are dsicussed here.

  Roanoke County is LUCKY to have Steve as a representative and employee!

Steve rocks!

Thanks so much, gang.  For the past year or so now, RK has provided me with a true sense of community and a much needed connectiveness with the rest of you, and I very much enjoy our ongoing discussions and interactions here.

I greatly appreciate the compassion and intelligence expressed here so often - along with the desire and willingness to work to improve our community - and am proud to be a small part of this noteworthy effort.

Please know that your attitude and spirit are making a profound difference locally, statewide, nationally and globally.

One need only to review the brief but astounding record of our U. S. Senator, Jim Webb, to be absolutely assured of that simple fact.

Thanks again.

Steve