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Moving forward But even if some don’t experience it, the racism does exist. Ewha Womans University professor Bang Hee-jung, who surveyed 121 Korean students in Seoul, found that most of them preferred to have Korean friends over non-Korean friends. But when asked about which non-Koreans they would prefer to have as friends, blacks scored significantly lower than whites, while Southeast Asians scored the lowest. Ashby thinks the problem is solvable through increased contact. “The kids in Korea (today) are going to be in a much better position because they can’t discriminate against us,” Ashby says. “Because they’ve met us, they’ve seen us face to face and they know what we’re about. It’s harder to have a one-dimensional version of this person from this country, or someone who is black or Jewish or whatever, because you’ve actually met someone.” Hurt, however, believes the best way to push Koreans to change their discriminatory ways is by forcing their racist image to the global spotlight. For example, Hurt argues that the media could be used as a “shame-generator.” “What if Time magazine made an issue called ‘The New Racism’ and identified Korea as the most racist country in Asia?” Hurt says. “Shit would change like that.” Ashanti Lee argues that, first, it’s necessary to get Koreans to notice what’s going on. Ultimately, he says, they’re the ones who will have to change things. “The way to get over this hump is to get other Koreans to care,” Lee says. “If they (Koreans who don’t hold racist beliefs) can get other Koreans to care and talk about it, then other Koreans will listen. But they won’t listen to foreigners, especially the minority of foreigners.” Nadia Kim believes the best way — and often the only way — to change anything is through organizing. “I believe everything starts with social movements,” Kim says, “just like it took the Civil Rights Movement in America.” These kinds o f approaches naturally take time. For now, many say they feel it’s up to them to provide a good example for the rest of society — no matter how unfair that is. “I feel that if a white person does something, folks may say, ‘foreigners are bad.’ That’s going to make all of us look bad,” says Spencer, the teacher from St. Louis. “But if a black person does something, I feel like that’s not going to be reflected on any other race but us.” Meanwhile, Bailey hopes attitudes change soon and respect is delivered where respect is due. “I don’t want to say that all Korean people are bad,” he says. “But it bothers me that I can’t get a certain job here and I’m discriminated against, and it’s almost like it’s been ingrained in their thinking that white is better than black. “We’re all humans at the end of the day, and it shouldn’t come down to skin color. It should come down to what kind of person you are.” 35