OlderMargaret Cho on Virginia Tech Shooting
Comedian Margaret Cho posted this very eloquently put blog entry on her official website entitled “Our Humanity”:
“Whenever anything really bad happens around Korean people, that is when I would like to hide, go to Hawaii and eat spam sushi until it blows over. I don’t want to comment on it because I don’t want to escalate the situation and I don’t want to implicate myself in it. I don’t want to ‘come out’ as Asian because therein lies a tremendous responsibility that I never volunteered for, that I don’t have any real control over, and that is as mysterious to me as it is to someone who isn’t Asian.
So here is the whole terrible mess of the shootings at Virginia Tech. I look at the shooter’s expressionless face on the news and he looks so familiar, like he could be in my family. Just another one of us. But how can he be us when what he has done is so terrible? Here is where I can really envy white people because when white people do something that is inexplicably awful, so brutally and horribly wrong, nobody says – “do you think it is because he is white?” There are no headlines calling him the “White shooter.” There is no mention of race because there is no thought in anyone’s mind that his race had anything to do with his crime.
So much attention is focused on the Asian-ness of the shooter, how the Korean community is reacting to it, South Korea’s careful condolences and cautiously expressed fear that it will somehow impact the South Korean population at large.
What is lost here is the grief. What is lost is the great, looming sadness that we should all feel over this. We lose our humanity to racism, time and time again.
I extend my deepest sympathies to all those who lost their loved ones, their children, their friends and family, in this unimaginable tragedy. I send them all the love I have in me, and I encourage everyone to do the same.”
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this from a woman whose entire unfunny racist career is based on mocking her korean mother’s speech pattern and her korean heritage … spare me.
It is only because the shooter is from a race that looks different than the majority of Americans that calls attention to his country of origin. If a Norwegian immigrant came to the U.S. and committed this act, no one would say “Norwegians as a people are inherently bad” because Norwegians looks like a majority of Americans (i.e., white). It is only because the shooter was Asian and thereby looks different that some small-minded people are blaming his ethnicity.
Response to The Teal Tita #42
I am not playing the blame game on anyone…I am simply stating the facts - if you look at any other tradegy in the United States you can see where one race ends up taking the blame for a couple of people. Take for instance the tragedy of 9/11; after that happened it seemed like anyone of Middle Eastern decent was looked at as a terrorist. Would it have been the same if a white person had committed the same offense? NO! that would not be the headline news that a white person had done this horrible thing.
I feel the same thing happen when a black person committs murder or is on the news for robbing a bank. I know that because that person did that everyone else will look at me expecting the same thing to go on…and I realize that I am in a country of opportunity however this country was founded by a white male anglo saxon majority, those of which still run this country today…so no, as many opportunities that I do have, it does not even compare to that of a white person.
Point Blank.
Margaret Cho must be as stupid as she is un-funny. No one gives a damn if the guy was Korean, nobody in this whole country is thinking that Koreans must be out to shoot up schools now, and that entire notion is the most ridiculous thing I’ve heard.
If a white person committed a mass murder in korea, of course his ethnicity will be mentioned- and his ethnicity may very well be an issue, yes.
but korea is predominantly of KOREAN population. So if a psychotic white person did that, of course, they would say “white killer”
So don’t think you are clever (those people who made those ignorant comments) when you say, what if a white person did the same thing in Korea. It’s a different situation.
And regarding the comment saying: “Asians are collectively proud when someone shines, and so are collectively sad when someone commits shame. Right or wrong, the community should learn from the mistake.”
!! Whether it true or false that Asians are collectively proud or ashamed by particular Asian accomplishments/mistakes is IRRELEVANT to this issue.
Have you been paying attention to Margaret Cho’s blog or for that matter. any of the other comments? The Asian community is not responsible for that pyschotic killer’s actions. The world as a whole should reflect on this tragic event-regardless of ethnicity.
margaret cho, the “real racist”? ha, right. you’re really right on the money.
apparently, you do not understand her comedy.
as simple as comic humor may seem, i suggest you observe things on a deeper level
If you want to share this sentiment with the Korean/Korean American community…you could go to the site of the Korean-American Association of Northern VA- http://www.vakorea.org/board/index.php?no=0
It’s important to me to share the same sentiments expressed above with this community. I posted on their message board- don’t know who will read it, but I hope someone does and appreciates it.
My message:
I can’t read most of what is on your site because my only language is English. However, I desparately want to leave a message of empathy and sorrow for both the Korean-American community in the DC metro region and nationwide, as well as the parents of Cho Seung-Hui. While this sorrow has affected our nation and other nations worldwide, it’s critical to recognize that this act could never be defined by or attributed to the perpetrator’s cultural or racial identity. As much as I empathize with the victims of this tragedy, I see the family of Cho as victims too. They have suffered a unimaginable loss in not only the death of their child, but also the recognition of his heinous acts. I am sorry for their loss, and hope that there is some way to relay the message to them that I cannot imagine their grief or pain at this time. I’m so sorry for their loss, and for the events surrounding the death of their son. I’m a 25 year old white female in the DC region. I’m not Korean nor do I know anyone affected directly by this incident, but in this time of national mourning, I want his family to know that I too acknowledge their suffering during this difficult time. I hope that they will find strength in other Americans and Korean Americans, and will make every effort on my own to see that no backlash is directed toward your vibrant community, though in all my conversations, this kind of “blame” or finger-pointing hasn’t happened. I’m just so sorry- sorry for what happened, sorry for those affected, and sorry that this has become an incident associated with Korean-Americans.
woah, its incredible how naive people are. Have any of you followed the news? Very little, if at all, has it been brought up that BECAUSE the killer was of Asian decent he killed 32 people. This isn’t about race, it shouldn’t become about race, and whoever this lady is should watch the news a little more. No one is blaming Cho (the killer) because he is Korean. It’s just a stated fact that DESCRIBES the shooter. If it were a white guy, they’d say white or leave it to the people to assume he is white.
Saw someone else say “way to make this about you” and I agree. Her statements aren’t true to this situation, although we all know media has a way of making color an issue. In this case, though, its not and this lady shouldn’t try to bring sympathy on herself or her culture because a description of the assailant is given. Get over yourself. History of any killer is brought up because it has to do with figuring out the guys motives. It is a proven fact that immigrants of Asian decent are more likely to have a mental health disorder.
This is tragedy brought about by a very depressed young man. If you hear people talk about “Watch our for asians” than that’s their own ignorance because for once it’s not being plastered on the tv screens. Seriously people, try watching the news or reading the newspaper.
Hold up a minute! No one had to tell anybody he was Korean - he had a F.O.B. name first name, CHO.
Was he a citizen of this country? NO. He is a citizen of South Korea. Korean is not a race. Korean is his nationality. Asian is his race. Newspapers report facts. The dude was a crazy immigrant from Korea. That is a fact. You may not like the facts, but that doesn’t change them. If he was an immigrant from Australia they would have said he was a crazy immigrant from Australia. Like Mel Gibson.
Cho, umm… is “white” an ethnicity? Maybe we should go to the country of “White” to see what their reaction is to the shootings, instead of South Korea.
I have only seen “VT shooter” used in headlines, have yet to see “Korean” or “Asian” shooter. I’m pretty sure that the main focal point of every article I read was “32 DEAD”. Seems to be a little more important than the killer’s ethnicity.
A tragedy is a tragedy, regardless of race. But at least it got Margaret Cho got some play.
@ el polacko
there’s a saying “if you don’t laugh at yourself, someone else will do it for you.”
everyone makes fun of their own nationality or ethnic group, because EVERY group has their little eccentricities that make them different or weird to others. just because she makes fun of her mother doesn’t mean she doesn’t love or isn’t proud of her heritage. she does it out of love whereas it wouldn’t be the same if someone else of another race/cultural group.
it’s like when people say “no one calls my friend a loser but me.” you love your friend so when you call him/her a “loser” it’s coming from a place of love whereas someone who doesn’t know your friend, it could be mean.
@ wait a minute
are you really arguing about citizenship? WHO THE **** CARES. He lived here for 14 years. It doesn’t matter if he came for Mars. He lives here for 14 years, adapted to our culture to a great degree and therefore he is more or less part of our society.
@reality
the media is spinning it so it seems that his korean heritage had something to do with his violent tendancies that’s why it’s a problem when his race is even mentioned. we can SEE that he is asian. so what? right now, there was a shooting in NASA in which the shooter is said to be a WHITE man. will they go into his cultural past as much as they are doing to cho who hasn’t lived in south korea since 1993. the answer is no.
for all the delusions, take a race & ethnicity course at your local university and then come back and tell me that margaret cho isn’t right.
RIGHT ON!
I absolutely LOVE how everyone on this message board thinks they’re a psychologist. I think it’s lovely.
We haven’t even had time to mourn this tragedy and already people are spreading hate towards one another.
Wow, it’s wonderful to see how we can all come together as human beings, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or shoe size, and support each other during this time of need.
first of all Cho is the shooter’s LAST name. secondly, as a Korean-American I can personally say that I did not feel in the least that the media over-portrayed the race card. I felt that they were careful in being sure that they knew who the actual perpetrator was before they announced it in the news. I think that asians are more inclusive and not as individualistic as other Western cultures are. Asians have more shame over the fact that this person can be seen as a representative of all other Asians and are worried about the backlash on how other cultures will perceive Asians. Everyone is shocked about what has happened.
I think the general “media” and the authorities are most interested in finding out exactly WHAT WENT WRONG, why did this happen, what can they do to prevent something like this in the future. so any discussions about race are in that light. I think that asians are jumping to conclusions to see the medias probing and looking for information and clues to his mental status as being something that is coming from “whites” and is therefore something racist. The shooter is asian, that is a fact. In fact being part of two cultures for him could have definitely contributed to the fact that there was no satisfactory way of finding the appropriate support and help for him the way our school, health, family and legal system are which address issues from a western cultural point of view. there may not have been anything anyone could have done for this person except to have treated him earlier as he was clearly mentally ill and a sociopath.
I applaud her! Very well spoken.
I’m deeply disturbed by how many negative racist comments are on this thread. Especially from other minorities: When will we stop fighting with one another and fight against racism? So ‘if’ blacks have been more marginalized than any other community then does that mean no one can stand up against racism until they too have been treated so ******* poorly? “stop complaining about people ******** you, I have been screwed so much harder” seems like a really idiotic argument. And for the record, it makes me sick to my stomach to turn on CNN and hear that psycho keep being referred to as a “south korean” he’s lived in the states since childhood. WTH. It seems a really convenient way for the American public to distance itself from the killer.
And also, how is it possible for a mentally ill person (accused of stalking on TWO accounts) to buy a handgun????????? American gun laws seriously need changing. (Now or maybe after a couple of more high school/ college shooting sprees. Because there will be more.)
Sorry, this turned out to be way longer than I intended.
To Magnus: White people did not “build” this country. They stole it from Native Americans and built it on the backs of the slaves they brought from Africa and the Asians they abused to build their railroads.
To everyone else who is saying that if a white person went to Korea and shot up a school: Listen, first of all Cho was born in S. Korea but is an American. If an English or French person immigrated to the U.S. as a child and did the same thing as Cho you wouldn’t see the headlines read English shooter or French shooter. Race is obviously playing a role in the media coverage. And give me a break. Let me know when a white person immigrates to Korea when they are eight years old.
Koreans do not need to apologize as a group for what happened. Just like all Americans shouldn’t have to apologize for the hundreds of innocent Iraqis who die each day because of our president’s decision to invade their country. Do you know why? Because all of us don’t represent George W. Bush and his policies just like all Asians and Koreans don’t represent Cho. One person did this and only one person is responsible (excluding the school administration who might have been able to stop Cho before he got to Norris Hall but we’ll never know).
To MAGNUS,
you point out that this country was built by white people. do you mean on the backs of the natives and other immigrants? because that would be accurate.
peace be with you
Huh? I never focused on him being Korean. His mental illness had nothing to do with the country of his birth.
I like Cali’s point. Well put. I think we are progressing. I think people are being careful about how they approach the subject. I am shock. I didn’t think Asians are capable of doing such a heinous crime. He just reminded me that we’re all the same, human beings. The “Role Model” Asian stereotype is just that, a stereotype. I think people do see this for what it is, this one sick person who somehow managed to commit such an atrocity. People understand that this is a sick invidual and it is devasting to see that this happen. I just find it really sad that he did not get treatment. What most people don’t know is that many mental illnesses do not develop until their twenties. Colleges shy away from this issue. There have been incidences before of college student killing their roommates, etc, but we don’t address this issue of mental illness. It’s not on our collective consciousness. It’s worse for Asians, minorities, because there aren’t a lot of studies out there, like such topics as difficulties of growing up in when you’re one of 10 asians in the neighborhood, etc. In the Asian community, seeking professional counseling is just unheard of.
Another blogger is probably right, that somehow the school didn’t seem to know how to deal with him. For all the complaints, etc., why weren’t his parents contacted? Why weren’t they notified? I just can’t understand how he was admitted into the hospital and then released. It didn’t seem like his parents were called in. Granted he’s no longer a minor, but when you’re in college, they always involve your parents. Heck, they suck so much money from the parents already. He somehow slipped through the crack and I hope colleges take an opportunity to learn from this tragedy.
I totally agreed with Rachel2 comment because a few days ago I happened to read an article and it’s saying that a few yrs back there was a US military Jeep that ran over 2 school girls in South Korea and the people over talked S*** about the Americans and even had protest about it so it’s hard to say if race is a big part of the issue or not…
Koreans are only dwelling on the fact that he was Korean because they know that the Americans are stereotyping that since the shooter was Korean, that there would be outrage that all Koreans are like this, which it has, (if you’ve read comments on Perez Hilton’s site, you will read the comments of angry Americans telling Asians to go back to where they came from and other rude comments not worth mentioning). Just today, a white man killed himself and one other person and his race was not mainly focused on as was this guy. I’m not saying that Americans are the only ones to stereotype.. people just need to stop obsessing over this guy’s race and start mourning and honoring those that were killed.
WAY TO GO Margaret Cho !!!
I think there have been good and bad points made. I do agree however that the sense of his “Koreanness” in the media has actually been downplayed. In fact, only time I’ve seen it discussed was when people wondered if racism experienced as a child helped alienate him from the mainstream. Honestly, valid concern, though probably not. crazy is crazy.
And actually, for all the people saying how this doesn’t happen with white school shooters, it kinda does. everything i have ever read about spree killings makes a huge deal over how this kind of crime is overwhelmingly white. people aren’t trying to slander him cause he’s asian - they’re genuinely shocked.
and before his name was released, of course he was “asian male, age 18-25.” how many times have you heard unidentified white male or unidentified black male on the news? it’s a better shorthand than 5′7 blond hair, green eyes. white male. same for everyone
not to downplay our society’s race problem. it’s is there. this is just a poor example.
my heart goes out to the families and students. long is the road, and hard, that out of Hell leads up to light…
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rainbowbrite Says:
April 20th, 2007 at 5:32 pm - flag comment
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White people did not “build” this country. They stole it from Native Americans and built it on the backs of the slaves they brought from Africa and the Asians they abused to build their railroads.
To everyone else who is saying that if a white person went to Korea and shot up a school: Listen, first of all Cho was born in S. Korea but is an American. If an English or French person immigrated to the U.S. as a child and did the same thing as Cho you wouldn’t see the headlines read English shooter or French shooter. Race is obviously playing a role in the media coverage. And give me a break. Let me know when a white person immigrates to Korea when they are eight years old.
Koreans do not need to apologize as a group for what happened. Just like all Americans shouldn’t have to apologize for the hundreds of innocent Iraqis who die each day because of our president’s decision to invade their country. Do you know why? Because all of us don’t represent George W. Bush and his policies just like all Asians and Koreans don’t represent Cho. One person did this and only one person is responsible (excluding the school administration who might have been able to stop Cho before he got to Norris Hall but we’ll never know).
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YOUR POST IS THE BESt!!!
I LOVE IT, THANKS!!!!
I know how you feel Ms. Cho. As a Jewish person, my heart sinks every time someone who is Jewish has committed a horrible crime (I’m sure you’re all too young to remember David Berkowitz). And to you people who crying out “PC, Cho is being politically correct” let me ask you a question. Are you just a little bit disappointed that you can’t blame this tragedy on terrorists?
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