I believe I played the role of a mediator from a young age within my family. I still feel that this is my calling—mediating between different groups of people, ideologies, and perspectives. However, I admit this is a profoundly challenging endeavor, and I hope to dedicate my lifetime to training myself in this work.
As a society, we harbor many prejudices against one another. We are quick to judge, often lacking opportunities to truly interact with each other. Instead of focusing on our shared humanity, we emphasize differences. Too often, people are labeled as part of “a group” rather than being seen as unique individuals. We also fail to recognize the oppressive power structures underlying tensions, choosing instead to focus on surface-level symptoms.
One professor, Pyong Gap Min (Queen’s College), observed, “Asians have not been aware of the brutal history of slavery in the lives of Blacks in America.” I think there is truth to this statement. If we truly understood the suffering and experiences of other groups, we would be slower to judge based solely on outward appearances.
During my undergraduate studies in English Language and Literature, I was particularly drawn to African American literature, such as Beloved and The Color Purple. These works explore the enduring impact of slavery on communities, families, and individuals, resonating deeply with me as I reflected on Korea’s history under Japanese colonization. My grandmother, who lived through that period, carried deep resentment toward Japan due to her traumatic experiences, including rushing into marriage to avoid the risk of sexual slavery, which was a threat to unmarried girls at the time. Both systems—American slavery and Japanese colonization—were rooted in racial and ethnic prejudices, perpetuating beliefs in superiority and dehumanization.
If we truly know and understand one another—if we are willing to learn from each other—can we become more open and accepting? can we work to achieve a bigger goal together?
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