Eshin Direct

Read this article in the Korea Herald about the government’s attempt to prevent anti-American teachings in schools. A Korean teachers’ union was criticized for underlining too heavily the violence and destruction of the recent Iraq war. The government ministry in charge of education felt that it might foster anti-americanism. Is this a joke? How does underlining the evils of war and taking a pacifist approach make it something anti-American?

Do me a favour – if America = violence and destruction, then obviously (note sarcasm), it must mean that pacificism and knowing the horrors of war = anti-Americanism. Are they applying a weird sense of logic here? The Korean government should note that they are the ones that are making the association between America and violence…not these poor teachers.

In any case, it is wrong for two reasons. Firstly, while I dislike America’s foreign policy and I can’t even watch dear old George W without psychotic feelings, America is not inherently violent and destructive. The Korean government is saying that to object to the war and provide an opposing view point, is to be anti-American. There are a few, quite a number actually, Americans that would hate to see their country associated with war and destruction, even the hawks of that nation.

Secondly, the education on the horrors of war should never be toned down. I’ve had a fascination with the military and all it stands for, and even contemplated making it a career, I’ve sought out information regarding warfare and the like. I consider myself to be more knowledgeable than most on the natures of war (not an expert, just more knowledgeful), since I was fascinated with these things growing up. I would advocate war under the right circumstances (Iraq was not a right circumstance). But I would urge everyone to learn the true horrors of war…it is a lesson that we can ill-afford to lose. For the Korean government to ask a teachers’ union to tone down the implications of death and destruction in a contemporary conflict where people are dying, just to flatter the whims of an American fascist administration, is wrong.

Read the story here – Anti-Americanism Banned

Tags: Political Rants