Multicultural Korea

The word multicultural is defined in the Longman Dictionary as involving or including people or ideas from several different countries, races, or religions. It has become familiar word in the Korean society as the rate of international marriages increase in the past decade.

The word itself can be technically correct in my own humble opinion. But my husband doesn't like it at all. He says that it is almost as bad as a label for someone of mixed decent. I argue that it is technically appropriate word. He counters if is there such a word or an agency for such in my home country or (any other country) where kids of different parents' nationalities are more common. I can only answer "none" for my home country. He has made his point. Yet, I still feel that maybe, the long-time-homogenous Korea would really need such word more than Philippines. I am a still bit ambivalent to the term. 

In spite of that, I appreciate the programs in schools nationwide from the Ministry of Education. The last week of May has been designated as the month for multicultural awareness, it seems, as I've seen in my son's school calendar. There were activities at school that were designed to promote multicultural awareness. Even my son had to join a speech contest for multicultural kids like him.

But no, it isn't just because my son gets to join such contest because he has a non-Korean parent that I am appreciative of this. I am glad that accepting the changing social landscape would start with educating the next generation. The school is one of the best place to do so. The pupils brought home some fliers, mini-books, and hopefully, a better understanding of other different cultures. 

My son's friend who goes to another school also had such multicultural activities at their school. His parents are both Koreans and are more open to the idea of multiculturalism. Come to think of it, I haven't really met an openly against such notion so far. There might be some who thinks otherwise but I believe that there generally more who support the idea. 

The term "multiculturalism" itself might be a bit strange for some at this time. Nonetheless, it can be a place to start as I look forward to the time when there won't be a need to use such term at all as everybody will be accepted regardless of their racial heritage.