[Kim Maengnyeong's Golf English Conversation] "COVID-19 and Anti-Asian Discrimination"

A golf course is a communal plaza for Earthlings. We must love and care for each other.

Some countries, including Israel, have announced a ban on the entry of Koreans under the pretext of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19).

As COVID-19 spreads, Western countries are also experiencing a rise in Asian racial discrimination, including phobias against East Asians. In fact, golf courses in the US and Europe openly prohibit Asians from entering, exhibit hateful behavior, and use derogatory slurs behind their backs without hesitation (They are pretty racist). Abroad, it is difficult to distinguish between Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Thai people, so they are all indiscriminately labeled as Chinese.

Wearing a mask and walking around the clubhouse or playing a round increases avoidance behavior. Regardless of nationality, race, or religion, discriminatory or derogatory words and actions must never be tolerated. Representative slurs used to demean Chinese people include c-h-i-n-k, Chink. This applies not only to Chinese but to all Asians. There are also c-h-i-n-g c-h-o-n-g, Ching Chong or Ching Chang Chong, among others.

These sound like "ching chang chong" in Chinese. When belittling East Asians, there is also the term "yellow monkey," which refers to skin color. "Banana" is used in the same context, meaning someone who looks Asian on the outside but acts like a white person. g-o-o-k, gook was a derogatory term used for Koreans, Vietnamese, and Filipinos during the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and J-a-p, Jap was a term Americans used to mock Japanese soldiers during World War II.

Lastly, s-l-a-n-t, slant or slanty eyes refers to narrow or slanted eyes. This is the starting point of belittling the appearance of Asians. This is why Westerners make a slanting eye gesture with their fingers to mock Asians at soccer, volleyball, or basketball games. Everyone feels upset when hearing insulting words. To avoid hearing such words, it is even more important to be cautious in behavior.

Here are 10 prohibited behaviors to receive gentlemanly treatment at golf courses: No spitting, No smoking, No gambling (excessive betting), No mulligan, No fighting (arguments or fights), No slow play, No pee (unauthorized urination), No drinking (alcohol), No cigarette butts (littering), and No cheating (score falsification).

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyeong, Golf Columnist