Bruce Cumings on Korean-American riot victims

Posted 001207
Last revision 001207

Copyright © 2000 by Hugo S. Cunningham and others

From: "Max Becker-Pos" To: hcunn@tiac.net
Subject: re. your critique on Bruce Cumings
Date: Tue, 05 Dec 2000 03:06:38
Dear Mr. Cunningham:

I read your interesting critique of Bruce Cumings's work on Korea (posted on the internet).

I think you misunderstand Cumings when, in reference to the Los Angeles riots in the 1990s, he says, "nothing was more disheartening than the example of poor Koreans arming themselves against poor blacks . . ." (448).

Your response was a sarcastic, "Should they have rolled over and played dead?"

It is quite clear from the context that Cumings is not saying the Koreans ought not to have fought to defend themselves. Rather, he is simply mourning the fact that inter-racial violence exists in the U.S.

It is quite interesting how you lambast Cumings for his errors--of which there are many--but then take his work out of context.

Sincerely,
Max Becker-Pos


In a friendly exchange of notes, I answered in part as follows:
Return to HSC review of Bruce Cumings's Korea's Place in the Sun