Korean Immigrants in the US - Essay Example

Korean Immigrants in the US Introduction During the 20th century, the US experienced a wave of immigrants from all over the globe. The Korean immigrants are among those who made significant contribution in the number of immigrants who settled in the US. Notably, the first wave of Korean immigration to the US began in 1903 after Hawaiian sugar plantation opened its gates for Korean workers. Many believed that moving to US presented a lifetime opportunity to explore the economic benefits of this endowed nation. Consequently, the number of Korean moving to the US started to grow tremendously. Although the Koran employees experienced exclusion, low pay and excruciating working conditions became a major concern. Today, the Korean American immigrants continue to face racial discrimination in schools and place of work. The major concern is growing number of Korean immigrants, according to US census Report 2010, majority of Korean immigrants have settled permanently through acquisition of citizenship. Besides, majority resides in cities and towns where there are employment opportunities. Like many immigrants arriving in the US, the Koreans have been subjected to significant cultural adjustment. Los Angeles is now a home of over 150,000 Korean Americans. Other major cities having a substantial proportion of Korean immigrants include Virginia, Hawaii and Pennsylvania. Impact of Korean Immigrants Since the arrival of the first batch of Korean immigrants in the US, Korean immigrants have struggled to protect themselves from acculturation. In essence, the majority of the immigrants try to make sense of the American concept of liberalism and religious tolerance. One of the fundamental cultural change is the shift from the Buddhism religion to Christian as it is a popular religious faith in the US. Notably, Korean communities are now members of various Christian associations, evidently Korean Christian Churches and Korea schools, a cultural shift from the native culture of Koran religious intolerance. Cultural transition has been substantial, comparing with native Korean the immigrants have now embraced the importance of religious tolerance and upholding democratic ideals. Coming from a Confucian traditional society, Korean immigrants in the US have undergone tremendous cultural transition towards liberal democracy and religious tolerance, a move viewed by Korean conservatives as westernization. Today, majority of Korean immigrants, use the word hand, to portray their continued attachment of their Korean tradition. Certainly, relinquishing one’s personal values, customs and tradition for new ideologies has not been a quick process. The transition has been slow, but systematic. Traditions, Customs and Beliefs Culturally, Korean immigrants came from a background of religious intolerance, as narrated by Mary, who moved to America from North Korea in 1905, she describe Korean culture as naturally intolerant to diversity. Evidently, she cites the 1866 killing of 8000 Christians as the peak of religious intolerance. As narrated by her father, the reason why Korean community continues to face discrimination and prejudice in American schools was solely a retaliatory against Korean mistreatment of American missionaries in 1700s. As a result, there has been biased attitude of Native Americans towards any person from Korea. Today Korean immigrants in the US have undergone serious cultural transformation. Some of stories by portray tradition South Korean traditions in Jeun-ju city portrays a conservative Buddhist community whose ideals is opposed to liberalism and democracy. Although Korea has recently undergone tremendous establishment of the Christian faith with approximately 2000 churches being constructed each year, the conservative backbone remains influential. However, the immigrants were forced to have a quicker transition of mind and embrace universal values of democracy and religious tolerance. In Mary Parik Lee story, several elements of hardship facing Korean immigrants in United State evident. Firstly, these immigrants traditionally moved to S in search of better life standards. The excruciating and harrowing life in the conservative Korean environment compelled them to seek life opportunities in Hawaii sugar plantation. Although the Native Americans were not receptive to their traditions, their options were limited to adjusting to the dominant culture. However, some Koran Americans have continued to observe Confucius to date. In her book, Mary narrates her ordeal through education, being the only Korean student in California schools, she was ridiculed and assaulted by harsh racism, but her concerted effort saw her through middle school education. Challenges Facing Korean Immigrants Arguably, the Korean Americans bore the greatest brunt of racial discrimination in the US that date back to 20th century. Based on Mary Lee story, racism has been widely inflicted both in schools and outside. One cannot imagine how the young girl, suffered physical and psychological trauma throughout her studies during this early period of harsh racism. In her book, she captures the moments when white Americans would spit on them and even physical abuse Koreans in broad daylight. The system seemed to endorse this barbaric racism stereotyping. In the classroom, she was regarded and treated as a lesser being whose access to education was largely a favor, not a right. The greatest challenge that still bedevils the US community is presence of silent racism despite the government campaign to stamp out the vice. Arriving to US marks a perceived path that would spur greatest opportunities of success; however, this may not be always the case. In reality, the racism stereotyping is chilling experience, many Korean migrants seem to have had their dreams intimidated, and hopes shattered because of intimating racism. Because of the alienation from access to basic education and power, many Koreans living in US have been relegated to subordinate duties. Historically, issues of alienation and prejudice led to increased concerns on future of Korean Americans in socioeconomic development. To date majority of these issues remain unresolved. Another challenge came after September 11, where the perception of terrorism was viewed based on physical complexion. Many Koran students were stereotyped to be potential terrorists, raising seriously intimidating environment. The fear of victimization grew immensely and perhaps this is the most recent racial concern that created acrimony among human rights activists. Some analysts believe that the issues of racial segregation are still alive despite the socio-cultural achievements achieved so far. Although the US is now among the preferred destination for pursuing studies, the Korean example portrays continued sustained intimidating environment. Modern Challenges Facing Immigrants In modern times, Korean immigrants continue to flock to the US for education and employment opportunities. In reality, the harsh climate and political environment marked by extremist and dictatorial government back in Korea continue to be a pulling factor to US. The leading cause of immigration is pursuit of scholarship. Because of harrowing effects of poverty and the limited opportunities in Korea has seen the highest number of young people moving to the US to pursue studies through scholarship. The reception remains lukewarm; many encounter challenges in fitting into the US culture apart from silent intimidating racism. Today, new immigrants into the US face three serious socio-cultural challenges. Firstly, American schools use English as solely in the classroom. Because their language back home is Korean, their face serious language barrier. In order to fit into the US education system, many are forced to take remedial English classes. Besides, the education system has established classes and support services for students who have Limited English Proficiency (LEP). Although the program is purposely driven by accommodating intentions, many conservative Americans are opposed to such extra programs being invested by the government. Besides, the LEP programs have been stereotyped by the American system as a sign of academic deficiency. Some critics have argued that enforcing such programs is deleterious in promoting a level ground in education systems. However, the multicultural education proponents have argued that this system is anchored on liberal ideals that would promote equality in the education system. Despite the existence of elaborate policy, some schools remain reluctant to enforce the LEP stipulations. In schools with multiple cultures, the US Department of Education designed LEP policy to bridge the gap between the natives and the foreign students. The Korean students are certainly part of targeted beneficiaries. However, because of the reluctance of some of the schools to enforce the policy, this policy has been the central problem that depicts massive violation of students’ right. Because many of the Korean students are admitted on the basis on LEP programs, the rigid system has disadvantaged them. Majority score below average because they take time to internalize concepts taught in English because they do not understand the primary language use. In addition, the students experience differing cultural knowledge, because of the immigration has led to movement of families to different cultures. Some of culture shock that Korean students’ experience with the students include music, dancing and movies. As they come into the US the immigrants from Korea experience culture shock and this has intimidated them. Furthermore, differing parental values within cultural values has led to transition of Korean adolescents and youths towards liberalism in dressing, dancing and other social gathering. Currently, the Korean culture is on the verge of being completely subdued. The current young population were born and raised in the US. According to some analysts, they have been raised within American context and Korean traditions, values and norms are remote. Certainly, it is difficult to nurture a different culture in different environments. Today, the Korean Americans, conservatives struggle to impart the Korean culture in their children. Recent studies have shown that many Korean immigrants who finally settled in the United States came from a relatively poor background. Subsequently, they settled in relatively isolated areas. As a result of coming from poor background, they have continued to face serious prejudice on social stratification. The majority live in ghettos and this has branded with a tag of poverty. In essence, their ordeals are not limited to skin color and religion. They have been segregated on the basis of poor background. Recent studies observe that many Koreans who are born and brought up in American still face ethnic and racial discrimination. The stereotypical system has net welcome them as part of the larger family of the United States. Moreover, the Korean immigrants have now embraced Christianity. Over 70% of the early Korean immigrants are now converts; however, those arriving for studies or visits suffered religious isolation because Buddhism is found in isolated areas. The excruciating high cost of living has limited opportunities for immigrants have recreational time. Studies show that many of them are compelled by the high cost of living in the US to work on more than one job. This has created isolation from family members leading to rapid cultural transition to American popular culture. Historically, observance of Korean culture was encouraged by the culture of coming together; the new environment in the US has seen many spend their time to eke out a living. With increasing need to have more income and recent pattern of immigrants taking multiple jobs, the impact of separation has shifted the attention of the parents from raising children in the context of Korean culture. IS Korean Mentorship a viable Solution? Because of the continued concern of cultural erosion and cultural confusion of the new immigrants, they have been a number of mentorship programs that have been facilitated by Korean academic experts who have cut a name in the US academics. For instance, Hawaii Korean Students Mentorship Program (HKMP) has been tremendous in four key roles. Firstly, they complement the role of parenting by facilitating a smooth transition from Korean ideals towards American popular culture. However, these organizations are formed primarily to address the challenges that are commonly experienced in US by Korean immigrants. Some of the issues addressed include how to manage stress related to the new environment and cultural transition. Besides, they mentor students throughout their stay in the US so as they become productive in the native country. Unlike the early immigrants, the recent wave of increasing movements of US is largely seen in young people. The pursuit of careers and jobs are leading causes of immigration. The programs in mentorship are solely academic. Besides, many of new immigrants come to US on a scholarship basis, thus majority of them have similar background of poverty and limited opportunities just like the old immigrants. The recently growing Asian students’ mentorship programs have been premised on assuring the younger generation of immigrants to have a different mind shift from having rigid cultural values to establishing personal values in the context of American culture. In addition, some cultural analysts have seen the mentorship programs as a compensatory mechanism through which the unattended parental roles have been addressed. Because of long working hours and multiplicity of jobs, the majority of Korean immigrants have little time with their families. Although this is cultural distress, the purpose of these programs is to safeguard the interest of Korean culture from aping negative American culture. In essence, the coming up of mentorship programs is informed by the need to develop a substantive uniqueness of the Korean community. Because of finding themselves far from homes in a unique intimidating environment, majority of mentors uses their personal ordeals to challenge the mentees. Similar to personal reflection of Mary Lee, the issues of overt physical abuse and open discrimination has been seen mainly in schools. Moreover, many Korean employees are now middle class earners with a very limited number of upper class. Much work in technical and manual work, the nature of American culture has substantially transformed them. Lastly, mentorship programs aim at ensuring that the young persons who come to US as new immigrants remain on course. They are informed of the awaiting challenges that include open discrimination because of skin color and hair texture ahead of time. The program prepares them for remain focused throughout their stay and ensure they achieve whatever they are pursuing. Notably, the recent past saw increased US government commitment to protect immigrants from abuse due to racial difference and perceived social classes. As witnessed in the recent 2010 congressional immigration bill, the need to protect individual group identity featured substantially. Conclusion The Korean American immigrants have historically suffered from religious intolerance and overt racial discrimination. Traditionally, the Korean communities are largely Buddhist and mainly speak Korean as their primary language. Since the onset of Korean in flux, their challenges have been racial segregation in schools and place of work. Several decades after the first immigrants face problems of small pay and excruciating working conditions in Hawaii sugar plantations, the problems exist in form of racial stereotyping. However, the US government has recently renewed its commitment towards ending racism and social stratification. Today, the major population of Koreans comprise of young people who are in pursuit of education and job opportunities. Because of continued recognition of the immigrant’s plight, many experts believe that the growing number of mentorship programs will ensure a smooth cultural transition. Read More