A few weeks ago I heard banging in the hallway during class and realized that the 'airport-themed enclosure' near the English rooms was being torn down (by hand, using hammers and chisels).
You'll never guess what replaced it:
That's right - a display about those islets and a TV with a live feed showing one of the islets - complete with the sound of the sea and wind (but not the sound of the police stationed there saying, "Golly, I'm so glad to be stationed here!").
It's kind of insidious really... a constant reminder of something that really isn't important in the larger scheme of things. Why not a live feed of Seoul Station plaza, and a reminder of the homelessness problem? Or a live feed of the empty area behind Yongsan Station, allowing students to question the hubris of developers and the folly of mega-development plans? Because that would be silly, and might cause people to start thinking about the wrong things. So hey, kids - don't ask what those islets can do for you; ask what you can do for those islets. Oh, and raise your middle finger to Japan while you're at it. Mansei!
That last paragraph -- very well put.
ReplyDeleteThis("insidiousness" or gradual but enticing harm) is exactly what S. Korean elementary children need to learn(NOT) and is what the Education Minister Seo, Nam-soo meant when he said his top priority is to "unleash students potential and dreams." I wondered how Mr. Seo was going to reach his top priority and now we know. Hateful dreams certainly can potentially lead to nightmares or worse, not a very nice subtle lesson Mr. Seo.
ReplyDeleteSurely, learning about homelessness(Seoul Station) and those who lost their homes(Yongsan land grab/construction failure) could teach children the more basic of lessons on shelter. Next could be lessons on food and clothing. Instead it's time for "Always On My Dokdo Mind" hallway in elementary session.
It's obviously similar to any propaganda campaign meant to elicit an emotional, bias-reinforcing behaviour in humans. Look north: It's stadard fare up there. But this is a Japan-hating, pride-swelling thing to do for a whole host of reasons that all start to get stinky in the same way that such things up north get, too. But it's socially acceptable. It's a kind of South Korean "political correctness".
ReplyDeleteThat last paragraph was a fabulous read.
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