A Story of Courage
The Life of Gary Pak’s Grandmother
“We should always love people. We should really get out of wanting to satisfy ourselves only. We always have to think about the love for humanity; to help out people. I think that is really important.”
Lesson Objective
Through the life of Gary Pak, a third-generation Korean American author, understand the early experiences of Korean immigrants and explore the concept of immigrant identity.
Reflect on how we can make brave decisions in our own lives, like how Gary Pak's grandmother decided to become a "picture bride," despite the death of her parents.
Summary
We met with third-generation Korean American writer Gary Pak in a botanical garden on the island of Oahu. His grandmother Lim Ok Soon was a ‘picture bride’ who came to Hawaii from Korea in 1910. The writer provides profound insight into the words of love passed down by his grandmother, who raised a dozen children in a foreign land.
About Gary Pak
Gary Pak is a leading contemporary Hawaiian-Asian literature writer. He taught English literature at the University of Hawaii and is also a documentary writer and human rights activist. He is a descendant of one of the first Korean immigrants, a picture bride. One of his works, ‘Plantation Children’, is an oral history project where he interviewed over 20 second-generation Koreans in Hawaii to preserve their history, so the next generations can understand them.
Historical Information
1. How and why did the picture brides come to Hawaii?
Plantation workers in Hawaii were lonely, and they wanted to start families. However, it was difficult for them to find wives,
so they paid ‘picture marriage brokers’ to bring brides from Korea. Between 1910 and 1924, approximately 700 Korean women,
known as 'picture brides,'* came to Hawaii in hopes of improving their lives. However, many of these brides found that the men
they had agreed to marry were often quite different from the strong and youthful figures depicted in the photographs.
* Picture bride : young east asian women who traveled from their homes to marry farm workers around the world, based solely on each other's pictures.
The lives of picture brides were challenging. Many arrived in Hawaii to find their husbands old and sick, leading them to take on the responsibilities of working to support the family while also raising their children..
2. How was the working condition for plantation workers?
As a plantation worker, Gary’s grandfather earned 18 dollars a month by working 6 days a week for 12 hours a day. Once they started working, they were not allowed to smoke or even stretch their backs. The workers were subjected to harsh conditions, akin to wage slavery.
3. How did the Korean diaspora in Hawaii begin?
When Gary’s grandparents first arrived in Hawaii, there were relatively few Koreans on the islands. However, as they settled in, they introduced their traditions, culture, and cuisine. These contributions enriched the local culture and heightened awareness of Korea among the local residents of Hawaii.
Discussions Points
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Who in your life demonstrates profound love and care towards you? Reflect on the ways this person shows their affection and the impact it has on your relationship.
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Gary describes how his grandmother spoke Korean and broken English, while he spoke mostly English and broken Korean. How do you think they managed to communicate and form a deep connection despite the language barrier?
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What is Gary's relationship with his local identity? Explore how his experiences and background have shaped his sense of belonging and how he perceives his connection to the local community.
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Gary refers to ‘sojung,’ a term representing a deeper form of love in Korean. How might this concept of ‘sojung’ differ from other forms of love, and what cultural or emotional significance might it hold?
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What strategies and preventive measures can be implemented to effectively prevent and combat hate crimes? Discuss options such as educational programs, community involvement, legal reforms, policy proposals, and public campaigns.
Film · book recommendation
Language of the Geckos and Other Stories (2005)
by Gary Pak
A collection of nine short stories by Gary Pak explores the lives of Native Hawaiians and Asian locals. The stories are set in Hawaii and feature characters who are struggling with failed dreams and alienation.