Just Make It Better

When people ask me where I live I often tell them Little Korea.

Technically NY doesn’t really have one of those, but since I happen to live in a predominantly Korean neighborhood I like to refer to it that way. I moved in without any real attention to the surroundings. I was in desperate need of a new apartment and the only things I cared about were: 1) safe 2) convenient to the highway. I’ve lived here for slightly over two years and besides remnants from the old life, I’m one of the few non-Asians in my surrounding blocks. Next to the McDonald’s around the block there is an Asian Market filled with Korean signs and fish so fresh its practically just been pulled right off the boat. For most people here English is not their first language (sometimes not at all) and their cultural influences are more Korean than American. Despite these obstacles, we communicate without too much confusion.

Some people appear uncomfortable when I describe my home as Little Korea. It’s almost as though they find it inappropriate, even racist. Personally, I find that it’s their discomfort that is innappropriate and besides it’s a rather accurate description.

In today’s world it is hard for many to differentiate between prejudice and acknowledgement or opinion. My nickname for my home is not a reflection of its worth, nor a defamation of its people. Those that find it offensive are the very people that are prejudice against that which contrasts from their cultural and religious norms.

When someone whispers “he’s black”, “she’s gay”, “the Puerto Rican guy” that is about our own racism, not everyone else around them. Why would you hide something unless you felt it was in some way unfavorable? Isn’t a persons race, religion, creed, sexual orientation a form of character and/or description, just as tall or short, brown eyes or blue? The negative connotation that comes with being black is derivative only in our own view of the words used. Being homosexual only means something bad when we choose to speak it as so. The discomfort society has in acknowledging our differences is the very thing that keeps us from achieving a world where we could stand together as a human race. We are different and that is exactly what makes us beautiful. As soon as we give up this stupid fight for us all to be the same we can start embracing the unique magnificence within each others culture.

Now that would be such a wonderful world!

If you enjoyed this, then subscribe here.

Tweet This Post