Sam Okyere asks people to stop calling him 'black brother', netizens react

[goshipgurl.livejournal.com]

Article: "Please call me by my name rather than 'heuk hyung'"... Sam Okyere confesses about racism in Korea
Source: Ilgan Sports via Nate

heuk hyung = black brother

1. [+2,057, -89] Ah... heuk hyung.. I never thought of the word as racist and I'm so embarrassed for that. I thought it was just a friendly, witty term of endearment. I'll have to fix that, how does Okyere oppa sound ㅋㅋ

2. [+1,713, -67] He's right. Racism is rampant in Korea. If you're not a handsome blonde English speaker, people will be racist to you.

3. [+1,570, -74] I understand elders being racist because they haven't had much opportunities to come across foreigners but our generation shouldn't be like that, especially to South East Asianers...

4. [+93, -5] If the person feels that he is being discriminated against, then it is our responsibility to stop it

5. [+65, -7] He himself is saying he hates being called black brother so why would anyone try to argue that it's not racist? It's not right at all to call someone by their race. You need to see them as a human being before the color of their skin. It's like Asians having to suffer questions like "Are you a ninja? Are you good at piano? Are you good at math" by foreigners overseas. It doesn't matter if it's a compliment, judging someone by their race is wrong.

6. [+49, -3] I lived in Ghana for about three years and my friends always ask me if I see giraffes and lions everywhere but there are really only dogs ㅋㅋ I could relate so hard when Okyere-ssi said there are only dogs where he's from ㅋㅋ

7. [+42, -7] Black brother... I never thought of that word as wrong but now I see that it might be taken the wrong way by the other side

8. [+38, -4] I never once thought of black brother as racist because I always thought it meant the person had swag and force...

9. [+37, -3] Black brother isn't a word I use myself but I never thought it'd be something to be offended by either. Adding 'hyung' to it, like the first best reply says, was to make it like a term of endearment, but I guess it wasn't taken that way ㅜㅜ

10. [+31, -7] The word black brother itself might not necessarily be considered racist but it is problematic and racist in the fact that it completely ignores Sam Okyere's personality, life experiences, emotions, who he is as an individual person etc and judges him completely based on his skin color alone.

11. [+30, -1] If the person hearing it doesn't like hearing it, then just stop. Whether we mean well by it or not doesn't matter if he doesn't want to hear it.

12. [+25, -15] As a fellow man though, calling someone a black brother is usually meant from a tone of respect ㅋ

13. [+22, -7] When Koreans call someone a black brother though, it's usually to play up the superiority of their black features, no?

14. [+20, -6] Some of these comments have a long way to go... some of you are still trying to argue that it's not racist and how the word comes from a place of respect or how it doesn't mean ill. Let's just get one thing straight: if he says it's wrong to say it, it's wrong to say it. So just stop using it. Stop making up excuses.

15. [+19, -3] Of course if the person hearing it feels bad then we need to stop using it... but I just want him to know that black brother is not a word meant with racist intentions. Koreans use the word 'kkamdoong' as a racist term for black people. Black brother, however... is more used when we want to describe a black person as 'cool' or 'amazing'... but of course, if he doesn't want to hear it, then it's our responsibility to stop using it.

source: netizenbuzz

Comments

[arysthaeniru.livejournal.com]

Wow. I never thought netizen comments could be this positive and ready to change. But. Yes. Go Okyere for speaking out about it!!!

[saemcrh.livejournal.com]

I really admire him for continually speaking about his experiences so honestly, especially in situations (as a public figure) where he may feel pressure to not 'rock the boat'. Also happy to see so many netizens taking his comments onboard and being understanding, especially with them being the most up-voted ones.

A lot of the comments from #8 downwards need to learn that stereotyping based on race is racist, regardless of whether you perceive the stereotypes to be positive or not. Too many people trying to tell him how he should feel rather than actually caring about how he feels.

[niyarav.livejournal.com]

Love your highlighting op. So people can stop making excuses for their faves when people try to teach them and they keep making the same mistakes "bc culture".

But anyway I'm happy to read such good responses (apart from those few making excuses ofc). I hope everyone respects his request.

[pikapika217.livejournal.com]

VERY happy about him being respected by the netizens.

[jrt131n.livejournal.com]

This is a conversation that I had been wondering if it was gonna start making its way further into Korea. This whole Black hyung thing is really messy. It completely strips a person of their own identity and places this unrealistic expectation on them. I remember watching a video of three Korean guys answering the question of what Koreans think about black people, it was nice I guess, but they really had this idea that all black people are good singers, great at sports, nice bodies and so on and so on. It just made me feel a certain type of way because this only represented life half of the black population....Not all black people are the same.

[mjspice.livejournal.com]

Wow @ the netizens! I'm rather shook!

[holywells.livejournal.com]

that's so nice they are actually willing to stop using it, hopefully more people respect what he asked.

i really love the 14th comment lol

[jyusou.livejournal.com]

oh wow, u go netizens

[elisaorange.livejournal.com]

4. [+93, -5] If the person feels that he is being discriminated against, then it is our responsibility to stop it

I want this tattooed around my ankle (not really, but I love this).

I'm really glad to read supportive comments about this. I'm just glad this discussion is being had in general. I've literally run into a wall with a couple Korean-speaking people who defend things like "black soul", "black-this, black-that" as part of their normal speech. I'm glad these Knetz were willing to listen to Sam.

[jinkiestabi.livejournal.com]

I'm gonna leave this post, rub my eyes, and come back. This can't possibly be netizens.

[chibi-rei.livejournal.com]

#13, uh no. I was teaching a group of Korean middle school boys and one just happened to be more tan than the others. The other boys were calling him "black brother" (in English) until I caught them and told them to stop.
My point being that was not to play up some 'superiority' - they were teasing the poor kid.

[honey-baymax.livejournal.com]

Reading the netizens comments, I'm honestly shocked tbh.

[psharp10.livejournal.com]

it's so refreshing to see some of the netizen comments being so in support of this?? a good refreshing, a nice change. i want this to continue (the good comments, not the still messy ones ofc)

[bubblyshades.livejournal.com]

If the person feels that he is being discriminated against, then it is our responsibility to stop it

great comment

kudos to sam okyere for speaking on the racism he experiences

[shinychopstick.livejournal.com]

I'm glad he's bringing attention to this issue. People don't realize that positive stereotypes can still be harmful. Also sad that people still have to be reminded to "treat others the way you would want to be treated" when it comes to individual racism/xenophobia. If they can't even grasp that then how can we have more complex discussions on structural racism?

Sam's a champ. I love it when he guests on variety shows. (Isn't someone on omona connected to him somehow?)

[theharleyquinn.livejournal.com]

Good for Sam. It's a massive labor on his part, having to be the spokesperson for a lot of issues facing black expats in Korea and beyond, but him putting a human face to the effects of racism definitely helps push the conversation forward. I just wish there were more people with visibility to talk about it (and also women tbh but that's an even larger discussion about Korean variety)

[fayfayren.livejournal.com]

5. [+65, -7] He himself is saying he hates being called black brother so why would anyone try to argue that it's not racist?

I'm actually pleasantly surprised at the comments. I hate when people pull out the "Well I have a black/asian/striped/alien friend, and THEY don't feel offended by (offensive thing)!!!!111~"

[suggestivepeach.livejournal.com]

Wow. Pleasantly surprised at how accepting and openminded the comments are. I don't know who this person is but I'm glad he spoke up about this. It's definitely a step in the right direction.

[supersunshiner.livejournal.com]

im suprised by the netizens tbh


i might go on a rant so excuse me but

imo in SK (mostly any asian country) racism is EXTREMELY active especially in their media and everyday life since their elderly live longer and therefore have enough time to still spread it amongst the youth as they do in the US, and because for some reason, white has been beaten into their heads by the eurocentric values as "strange, exotic, new" (which is funny because this is what white people use to describe anyone that isnt white) while black people are seen as thugs (just listen to 90% of k-idols, aren't they always viewing black people with that old ass assumption that we all kill, rape, and steal or are still thugs and gangsters and therefore are less of a person than them yet still worthy of being mocked and having everything they've ever made become popular in a country they can't even visit!) ie. the taeyeon x wiz situation. i find it extremely surprising to see these netizens honestly eager to change the way black people are viewed in SK , im more surprised at the fact that most of them didnt try to deflect and downplay his emotions and realized his feelings are extremely valid and hopefully this article will get out and these idols will see it and stop acting tf out; all of these famous black peope that they lowkey love covering and talking about, they definitely don't know how you treat their people lmao but if they DID im sure all these collabs and inspirations would cease to exist

[apori.livejournal.com]

Like everyone else I'm positively surprised by the comments.

I expected 'well hyung if you don't want to be called black don't be so dark kekekekeke' type comments sadly.

Hopefully more people will understand that hypervisibility and 'positive' stereotypes are still harmful and dehumanizing.

[lazmy.livejournal.com]

I love him and I hope they really will stop calling him that

[seulgibear.livejournal.com]

yass at these netizen comments being pretty rational
to quote mark ruffalo, i'm glad sk's having this conversation, it's time

[amandaplan.livejournal.com]

happy to see some good comments in this article altho who knows how many or how bad some were on the original site. really love how they're listening to sam instead of telling him what to think or feel.

[benihime99.livejournal.com]

I remember someone posted a video about black people living in Korea and the host asked them if they liked to be called "black unnie" and when they said no, people were surprised


It's nice to read positive response, Sam is such a sweet heart and a brave man
I really love him a lot

[asth77.livejournal.com]

I rly want to know in which variety shows Sam is in, its been a while last I saw him in a variety show.... I hope he's doing good

[hellicoptajuuce.livejournal.com]

I am SHOOK what kinda netizens are these?! Anyways i wonder if their logic applies to non-black poc, like dark skinned asians, hispanics etc

[strangerstheme.livejournal.com]

I'm so happy to see nice and understanding comments about this, I really needed it tbh.
Lately I've been disheartened because everytime there's a conversation about racism people always trivialize the problem and are not willing to be more accepting, so it's nice to see that at least there are people in the other side of the world who are trying to change for the better.

[jasmineakaiumi.livejournal.com]

it's great to see such a generally supportive reaction because i was feeling disheartened lately after witnessing the word "harlem girl" being thrown around as the name of a makeup style (laid edges, dark lips, smokey eyes) in the k-beauty community smh

[pepsi-twist9.livejournal.com]

10. [+31, -7] The word black brother itself might not necessarily be considered racist but it is problematic and racist in the fact that it completely ignores Sam Okyere's personality, life experiences, emotions, who he is as an individual person etc and judges him completely based on his skin color alone.

Someone gets it. I don't believe that everyone who uses "black brother" is using it as a compliment (lbr) but I'm sure there are people who think they are being cute. It's nice at least someone's willing to say why it's a stupid title regardless of your intent to be cute/nice

[mmmmmatthew.livejournal.com]

this is the first time I'm seeing such positive netizen comments on a controversial topic. I see that South Korea is in good hands with the newer generation

[blck-ink.livejournal.com]

wow okay this is nice! i'm happy sam was brave enough to talk about it and that the responses are quite nice :):)

i loled so hard when i read #6 comments about dogs cause it's true

[confuqued.livejournal.com]

Thank you Mr. Okyere! And wow these netizens, can they say it louder for the people in the back!

[buckleyourboots.livejournal.com]

Wow, these comments are so refreshingly and overwhelmingly positive! Sam seems like a sweet guy from the times he's popped up on shows with my faves, I'm glad he's getting a good response and I hope he sees a change.

[dropthecrates.livejournal.com]

i found this really interesting ~as a ghanaian~ and i'm glad the comments are positive <3 i always wonder how he's doing

[10135.livejournal.com]

Some pretty good comments here. That's refreshing.