Dear editor,
After reading Haydn Sennit's recent piece mocking Koreans for following what he sees as a morally impure example from the West, I wasn't sure where to start dissecting his close-minded views.
The most glaring problem with Sennitt's piece is his opening statement that he's been shocked at how much Koreans emulate Westerners, which he then goes on to provide almost no support for beyond his anecdotal assertion that there are now more Western food outlets than there were when he arrived.
He mentions a ``fury'' that is ``wreaking havoc'' all around the city. This ``fury'' is so strong that it didn't merit a single example. Sennitt must have gone to university, but seems to have forgotten that any thesis needs to be supported with evidence.
He talks about what Koreans ``want,'' seemingly without actually asking them, but by making superficial judgements based on what he thinks they watch on television. This is wildly condescending behavior by someone who looks down on Westerners he accuses of being disinterested in Korean culture.
Sennitt exposes his bigoted nature by lumping homosexuality in with crime and drug abuse as a form of ``anti-social behavior,'' as if same-sex relationships were some kind of destructive practice. He also lays bare his ignorance by stating that it is ``increasing.''
The rate of homosexuality is no higher now than it was at any other time, there are just fewer ignorant and hateful people like Sennitt to make homosexuals feel the need to hide their orientation.
Steven Borowiec