Biracial Korean Children

Link: Biracial Korean Children – Hines Ward

I am always impressed when well known people use their status to make statements and to do good things. Hines Ward, Pittsburgh Steelers football player, is hosting eight biracial children from South Korea.

In South Korea, the treatment of biracial children (and adults) has long been a problem. One of the reasons I get upset with some Korean adoptees is because they talk about South Korea as if it is the perfect place – a place where everyone lives in harmony. I hear stories about biracial children who are unable to attend certain schools, they are unable to find jobs and are ridiculed at every turn. Generally, I think that it’s just the same as here, but with a different majority.

Hines Ward says in the article above – Korea is a great country, he said, but would be a greater country if it overcame its racial prejudice. “Just look at these kids,” he said, as his young visitors gathered around him. “They are gorgeous kids.”

Don’t get me wrong, I think it’s a wonderful country and I am looking forward to the day when my son and I go to visit. However, I do plan to go in with both eyes wide open. South Korea, like the United States and all other countries, has a ways to go before they can claim perfection.

Growing up half black-half Korean, Mr. Ward has said he too often felt that he did not belong in either community. Some of the essays he read brought back personal memories of the kinds of prejudice children of mixed parentage face. “Hey, I’ve been there,” he told his guests.

Here are some more article links about the visit. Go Hines Ward!!!

Link: Steeler Greets…

Link: Ward Greets…

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