American English Teacher attacks a woman on a bus in Korea. (video)

[Locut0s]

This is ugly. I must say it's unfortunate the guy's black :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JABqFPNympk

A 24 year old African-American English teacher in Korea assaults a woman and a 61 year old Korean man on a crowded bus. The African-American suspect, identified as H, struck the 61-year-old man's face multiple times and choked him with his arm, according to Bundang Police "The elderly man reportedly said "니가 여기 앉아" (a sign of consideration) but not knowing Korean, the man in question interpreted "니가" as the N-word which led to his violent outburst."

[exboyfil]

1. So if he was of European descent then it would be ok?

It is unfortunate that an individual behaved like an idiot? Yes. Should he be charged with assault? Yes. Should he be prosecuted? Yes. Should he have his Visa cancelled and be shipped out on the net plane after his case is finished and his time is served in the event of a conviction? Yes.

No individual can represent an entire race or country. His actions are his own. Our country only becomes guilty of his actions if we fail to ensure that justice is done is this case (prosecution in the S. Korean judicial system) through intervention by our embassy. The man is entitled to a fair trial.

I understand the sensitivity African Americans and other individuals who are descendants of Africans in other countries to the n word, but I have to say grow up. I have been verbally abused many times in my life as well, and I have always recognized that words mean nothing, and a physical confrontation short of protecting yourself is an unnecessary escalation.

It states the man is an English teacher. Is he around children? I am sure that I don't want this man around my children. He obviously has some anger control issues.

[Locut0s]

2. Sigh of course not. My point was...

It's unfortunate cause he's feeding the negative stereotype.

[exboyfil]

3. My point is when some thugs of European descent

beat up and run over a black man, many on this board use it as justification to condemn all those of European descent. Such actions only condemn a judicial system or a government when they are not adjudicated fairly.

[cherokeeprogressive]

35. He IS feeding a negative stereotype: The Ugly American. n/t

[Locut0s]

36. Yes there's that too. n/t

[Name removed]

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[KansDem]

9. But he *didn't* call him a "nigger!"

According to the article, the Korean word used sounded like the word "nigger" and this thug exploded. Maybe he should learn a little Korean to avoid such confrontations.

One would think at least he should have gotten a clarification before he began pounding on the 61-year-old.

edited to add quotations

[exboyfil]

14. I am not sure I buy the explanation

It is a little too self serving for me.

[trumad]

27. I'm replying to the European descent post.

[exboyfil]

12. Yes and responding with fists to a verbal comment

helps who? Even setting aside the fact that it does not appear he was insulted (I am dubious about the story that it was a translation error), has his actions helped himself in any way? I am not saying African Americans should be doormats. I am saying that responding to verbal taunts with physical violence is not the answer. I will stand up with any African American who is insulted by these words, and I have called out many of my family members when they use such words. I won't associate with people who practice such racism.

Escalation is a bad practice. It is akin to responding to road rage incidents. It can jeopardize you and those you love. I used to not feel this way, and I would respond for tit for tat. As I grew up I realized that hurting someone or getting hurt is not worth it over some words.

Sorry I insulted you. If you feel throwing a punch when someone insults you then go ahead.

[joshcryer]

21. And I think it's rather presumptuous to think someone would behave that way over one...

...misheard word. Or rather, I chose to believe that a human being would have had to be going through something else in their daily life to cause such an irrational outburst, I think it's rather insulting to think the narrative on the video is the full picture.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

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[BNJMN]

7. I agree with everything in your post. That's someone's mother (or grandmother) you're beating.

And even if they called you a n***er...behaving like that completely reinforces whatever 'Scary Black Man' stereotypes they hold. And probably left the rest of the bus feeling new hatred. No excuses. That's just bullshit. I hope he is convicted.

[joshcryer]

11. There's a resentment toward Americans somewhat in South Korea, we cannot assume he has anger issues.

I have a friend who also did the English teacher transfer program (English wasn't even her major but it was one of the few programs that were available during the Great Recession and she capitalized on it). For her the trip was magnificent and a wonderful experience, but she did report a few occasions of her being treated unfairly if not downright rudely. It's very possible that this man had encountered a lot of issues in that day, and finally, after being called what he believed was one of the worst insults you can say, he lost it. We don't know him and we can't judge him based on one video.

This is not an indictment on South Korean culture, mind you, but more that imperialism (we have tens of thousands of troops there, and there are regular reports of troop misbehavior) tends to foster a lingering resentment and dislike toward a group.

[exboyfil]

16. Wait a second he throws a punch when

someone makes a verbal comment to him, and it is not an anger issue? What would happen if he threw a punch at a mouthy 18 year old in a High School in the U.S. which he taught at after being called the n word? I suspect he would be in danger of losing his job immediately.

So before we came to South Korea (mind you to help them escape the fate of their Northern brethren) the South Koreans were culturally sensitive and accepting of all races? Heck I know for a fact that Japanese are not accepting of Koreans, but you expect me to believe that it is the ugly American imperialism that is the reason?

As far as being in S. Korea, I have been saying for over 20 years to get our troops out of there. A country whose GDP dwarves that of its northern neighbor can't defend itself. What is up with that?

[joshcryer]

18. I'm not excusing his behavior, but no, I don't think that one video says "anger issues."

These teacher transfer programs check for anger issues and the like in your background, he may have slipped through and may indeed have anger issues. I am merely suggesting there may be other reasons behind his outburst.

I agree wholeheartedly his behavior was unacceptable and that nothing in his day can excuse or justify it, but to say that someone has anger issues without knowing the underlying issues is presumptuous at best.

[BNJMN]

23. Then you, sir, are blind.

nt

[joshcryer]

24. So I assume you think people typically have outbursts over verbal miscommunication?

What a world that would be if that were the case.

[BNJMN]

28. People with anger management issues aren't typical people. Hellooo?

Thought we covered this.

[joshcryer]

29. Fair enough.

Not sure how an atypical person slips through the checks in the teacher transfer program, but I admit it's possible.

[BNJMN]

30. Bureaucratic incompetence.

Not that rare.

If it's any relevance to the issue at hand, my wife moved here from another country.

Frankly, the system allowing someone to legally become a citizen here, which I'm assuming is stricter than allowing someone to visit or teach elsewhere, isn't that ... oh, what's the word I'm looking for here?... organized. In fact, it's pretty sloppy.

You might be amazed.

Thanks for admitting a mistake though.
Or at least not taking it personal.
:)

[BNJMN]

17. Sorry, that's Bullshit. Beating up a cowering elderly couple is wrong.

I don't give a fuck how your day went.

Edit: 'your' not 'our'.

When the old lady, the one you just got through badgering and assaulting, is on the ground crying out in fear, you pull yourself together. Maybe even apologize. Everything about this video (that you probably didn't watch? I guess? I'm hoping you aren't that stupid) suggests this guy was really going over the top and enjoying himself. Everyone is calm, placating, and he's like a crazyman on the rampage...beating up grandma and grandpa. Starting with grandma!

It's sickening.

[joshcryer]

19. Did I say it was right or justified?

I was giving a possible explanation for his irrational outburst.

[BNJMN]

20. Rationalizations,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rationalization_(making_excuses)

[chillspike]

25. +1

[The Northerner]

37. +1 The behavior described is that of the suspect and should not be

used to generalize all US citizens, including those who would never resort to such unacceptable behavior.

[Prometheus Bound]

4. What a wacko!

I would have put a choke hold on him right quick and dragged him off the bus. He could beat the crap out of me there, but at least it would get him away from those unfortunate victims.

[BNJMN]

6. His whole demeanor says 'thug'.

Not 'teacher'.
How sad that this ass-clown is giving America a bad name in Korea.
:facepalm:

I can see this circulating online already.
Fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

[Name removed]

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[KansDem]

10. This looked like a microcosm of American foreign policy...nt

[chillspike]

13. Or Donald Trump's would be foreign policy

"Hey Tony, Rocko, break China's legs." :)

[BNJMN]

15. One asian site I frequent has this comment, "western arrogance at its finest."

Whether you agree to it or not, when you visit a foreign country you are there as a guest and you are an ambassador for your country. That's how people see you. Beating up old people usually not encouraged.

[exboyfil]

22. Probably the best thing we could do as a country in these

cases is to issue a statement out of our embassy saying that we want this matter to be adjudicated fairly in the S. Korean court system, and we will only assist the defendent as his status as a citizen of our country dictates. We abhor the violence that is shown on the video, but we feel that it does not reflect the thoughts and actions of most Americans etc.

The best thing we can do is ensure we do not try to intervene in the judicial system.

[BNJMN]

26. 100% agree. In a culture that respects it's elderly, this won't be good. [nt]

[BNJMN]

31. Everyone who watches this video needs to put 'Bonojit Hussain' into a youtube search and see what

comes up. There are no excuses for physical violence except to defend yourself or other from physical violence.

[Fla_Democrat]

32. He's teaching.... English?

I would love to see that class......I'm thinking something like in Stripes.. :shrug:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iINyyfDf_xE






:smoke:

[Locut0s]

34. Yeah I wonder about the validity of that fact. Course many 'english schools' in Asia...

will take just about anyone so long as you can prove you are a native speaker and can pass some simple tests. Could be he just couldn't find a job and decided to think outside the box to get an income. I'm still surprised though that someone this closed minded would think to travel overseas for something like this. The two just don't sync up for me.

[Obamanaut]

38. The first line of your message block is strange. Would it be less

unfortunate if the guy were white? Maybe even acceptable?

"...This is ugly. I must say it's unfortunate the guy's black...."

[Suji to Seoul]

40. If you understood most Korean's deep suspicion and dislike of black people

you would not say this. This act will only go viral there and reinforce the attitude.

And before you tell me anything that I am being racist or generalizing. . .I lived there! My DU name is Suji to Seoul. That was my bus route (the Suji to Seoul line), either the 5500 or the 5500B if I wanted to take the local through Gangnam and Mapo.

[Suji to Seoul]

39. Great, more restrictions on E2 visas because of this clown.

Again. . .living in Korea like I did, I can say there is an undertone of racism within the culture. TV programs normally, when a Korean woman is in distress is America, have her attacked or about to be attacked by black gang member stereotypes, complete with the most shameful gang signs ever conceived.

A Korean girl group, SNSD, came out with a song called Chocolate Love, which is all about Korean women falling in love and making love with black men like it's some kind of special, out-of-this-world experience.

In Hongdae and Sinchon, I observed signs on bars saying black GIs were forbidden from entering. On buses in Suwon, Bundang (yes this was not far from my old home in Suji. Same subway line) and in my home of Suji, I would hear the whispers, pointing and nasty comments such as I cannot type Korean on my computer in China, but "Is he even human?"

With that said, this guy is a jerk. Ni Ga in Korean means you. . .and Na Ge (那个） which is pronounced with a short i (nih-guh) in Chinese means "that." I would assume this guy will spend a day or two in his cell, get his alien registration card taken from him and a quick deportation our of Incheon.

This guy sounds likes he went to Korea with a major chip on his shoulder and made an assumption without the facts. Stupidity costs, buddy. Enjoy your plane ride back to the States. You're too immature to live in Asia.