Discussion Post Week 4

I think, as Shin suggested in his article, that Korean people derived their hope for change from the changing international climate after World War 1 and especially Woodrow Wilson’s idea for self-determination. They realized that in this new environment that was shifting to reject colonialism, that if Korea could show it was a united nation suffering foreign rule, it might gain international support towards pushing the Japanese out. This was combined with the growing accessibility to Western education where Korean intellectuals could properly articulate to others on an international stage, their reasons for seeking independence.

I do think the language in the 1919 declaration was key to spurring a nationwide protest because it put the onus on the Korean people to show their solidarity in the face of overwhelming suppression. Now that they were the ones placed in a position to advocate for their own rights, I believe they felt a lot more empowered to go up against the Japanese government. I think having an atmosphere of hope and a sense of personal responsibility towards achieving that goal are two key aspects to have when trying to motivate laypeople to join a movement.

I think for me personally, it always surprises me how willing I am to act out of compassion for another person, especially one that is in front of me. Usually it is so easy to pay no attention to the people around you, but the moment someone shows a silver of vulnerability, I feel a sense of responsibility to help them. It ranges from helping a stranger pick up something they dropped to helping someone pay for a meal they can’t afford. I think the thing that motivates the most into action is guilt. And when the guilt of doing nothing overwhelms the guilt or shame that I might face if I do the action, I am usually compelled to act.