Why Do Gaijin Clash…? pt.4 – I Can’t Make This Shit Up!
If you haven’t read the earlier parts please do before proceeding. Part 1 is Here, Part 2 Here, and part 3 is Here.
So, here we go…
In The Matrix Reloaded (go figure) it was said that, “You do not truly know someone until you fight them.”
“It’s not the size of the man in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the man,” said Teddy Roosevelt.
“First they ignore you, then they ridicule you, then they fight you, and then you win.” said Gandhi, one of the greatest fighters in history, bar none.
I love a good fight.
I used to love boxing,
Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, and my homeboy from Brooklyn, Mike Tyson, were my faves… in fact ironically it was Iron Mike who epitomized my love of the fight, and was the one who made me reconsider my stance on fighting when he took up cannibalism on Pay Per View and had Holyfield’s ear with some fava beans and a nice Chianti!.
And that’s what I see going on with the foreigners here in Kawaiiland…we’ve taken to eating our opponents! Figuratively speaking of course.
There was a time when I was under the impression that a good number of the foreigners in Japan, particularly whites, actually believed racism didn’t exist here; their remarks to me suggested that I was being over-sensitive, misunderstanding the culture, a victim of delusions of persecution, given to exaggerating or just flat-out lying. But, like I said…I love a good fight! And, being from the school of The Pen Is Mightier Than The Sword…(and in this case, the ignorance that wields it) I pitted my conscientiousness and talent as a writer, however meager, against all comers, used it to open the eyes of people of all colors with a stake here, with my eyes on the prize. My goal, get us on the same page, or at least to have respect or empathy for one another’s plight.
A lot of my earlier posts were written with that objective if not in the forefront at least in the back of my mind; to paint a picture of just how offensive the behavior of the natives here can get towards foreigners and how that behavior impacts us in ways that shouldn’t be ignored or discounted. I did so in a way that even the people who didn’t experience it directly could, at worst, do so vicariously or, at best, come to see the behaviors I described, to a lesser degree, in their own lives, and perhaps be able to imagine them intensified.
I battled with whoever stepped in the ring. Loco in Yokohama was the MGM Grand of Japan. I had a lot of knockouts and TKOs in the beginning. Many were intimidated. I was black, angry and aggressive, after all. And from the Pollyanna and milquetoast I’d been encountering around the Japan blogosphere, I had every reason to feel confident. I climbed in the ring like I was already the undisputed heir to the throne. I managed to pick-up a few seasoned corner guys and a fan base of vociferous supporters; some even bloodthirsty.
I was on my way to changing the blogscape of Japan from my keyboard!
That is, until the journeymen and contenders got wind of me…not to mention the sacred cows and gatekeepers.
Shit got shaky. TKOs became split decisions, people I used to knock out in the early rounds started pulling Balboas on me and going the distance… but I stayed the course. I still remember, fondly now, the first time I got knocked on my ass and saw my maker in the stars.
His moniker was TokyoJesusFist and he gave me some head shots and body blows that dazed me so much I actually highlighted his comments in a post. You can read it here.
I hadn’t even known I had a glass jaw then. I thought I was nigh-invincible. But I learned a valuable lesson that day about underestimation and overconfidence..
I recovered and resumed the good work I set out to do…but I diversified my content quite a bit.
At the risk of making Loco in Yokohama indistinguishable from the gonad-free blogs in the Japan blogosphere, I focused on other aspects of life here, to inform readers that I was not some delusional unbalanced crackpot who sees racism in every nook and cranny of Japanese life.
Despite it being thrown in my face daily, I refrained from talking about the beast quite a bit and talked about the other aspects of life here that made living here attractive and sometimes even a joy. I talked about various places around Japan that I relish, and the tears and laughter and thought-provoking episodes my students brought to the fore (at least they used to), and all kinds of diversified topics including my life previous to coming to Japan and my thoughts on other hot topics of the day. All of this to show readers that my life and experiences are well-rounded; proving I was capable of partaking of the goodness of life, even here, intellectually, emotionally and spiritually.
And people acknowledged my efforts, were entertained by them, shared their own experiences…kudos rained down on me. My readership grew by leaps and bounds. I’d begun the transformation from a clumsy brawler into a refined pugilist.
…to the dismay of some of my more bloodthirsty readers, but some could smell what Loco was stewing.
“You’re an exceptional storyteller, Loco!” they said. “I love when you talk about your kids and co-workers…Japan is a better place because people like you are here.” “You’re so thoughtful and insightful…” “Such a nice guy…and an excellent writer…”
I thought I was successful.
Many of my readers had come to trust that I had eyes that could see, and see well, and I had the ability to convey what I saw in a manner consistent with what’s really going on; colorfully and succinctly.
But…in some cases, it wasn’t trust. It was disregard.
*****
There was something going on in the background, remaining perpetually understated. Stuff you’d likely hear when white people complained about racism…and there was so little of that being done, at least not on Loco in Yokohama, or it was being done so “objectively” or “apologetically” they might as well have not even brought it up…not to mention there were so many whites willing to stake their reputations on its non-existence. So, this noise the white complainers made was reduced to background noise. I hardly got wind of it I was so consumed in my own little world, mistaking silence for acquiescence.
The crux of this thing seemed to be: While black people (particularly men) may have a legitimate grievance here in Japan, as far as racism is concerned, and thus their complaints are tolerable to an extent, white people drawing the race card in Japan is not to be tolerated.
I swear!
I can’t make this shit up.
That is to say, there are white people here who do not question the existence of racism or the varying levels of it, albeit often time “microaggressive” or deriving from ignorance or utter oblivion, but would be quick to rebut a complainant of Caucasian descent; implying that an increased amount of racist feelings and behavior is to be expected when blacks are concerned (unfortunately, and you have my sympathy, Loco, but you ARE black, after all, and a minority of a minority), and since it is not experienced by Caucasians anywhere near the level people like yours truly address, and the benefits of being white here in Japan so far outweigh the drawbacks, those facts basically nullify any complaint from a Caucasian.
(Leave that shit to Loco and the other blacks here who are willing to speak on it! They’ve got the right to complain…we don’t!)
I’m serious…
Which makes me wonder if some might be thinking this disparity is deserved..the inevitable result of black behavior here, or of poor PR internationally, or simply because blacks are inferior and thus shouldn’t enjoy the rewards of the status others enjoy.
SMH
Mr. James
I heard a couple of these people suggest that blacks in Japan should be outraged at people like Debito because, despite the benefits his whiteness afford him here in Japan, comparisons have been made to a black civil rights leader by the name of Martin Luther King, and that he has positioned himself and is essentially a leader in a “movement” where obviously (to these detractors) the people with the most serious and legitimate complaints in Japan are non-whites.
When Debito compared Mr. James to Steppin Fetchit, there was a white uproar.
“Oh no, he’s gone wayyyy too far now! This kind of hyperbole doesn’t serve us…you’re making us look more ridiculous than that advert does, as thin-skinned as, you know, them! How can you possibly draw comparisons between what’s going on here in Japan and what went on in America in its dark ages? Calling All Black People! Calling All Black People! Where the hell are you guys?? Somebody black please come tear this guy a new asshole! White people are not niggers in Japan. Japanese love us! They’re just innocently ignorant, that’s all. But, at least they know who the real niggers are. Debito obviously does not! “
- Steppin Fetchit
I swear, I can’t make this shit up…
Like blacks are obligated to be offended because Debito is white and enjoys the privileges of the racist legacy most white people enjoy whether they’re aware of it or not. Like there weren’t A LOT of white people in support of and even on the front lines of the Civil Rights movement in the U.S.. Like there weren’t white conductors and stationmasters on the Underground Railroad and white abolitionists railing against slavery, like president Obama himself was not placed in a position where he could be elected by a Grassroots coalition built up mostly– from what I could tell from my perch here in Asia–by white people. Like…anyway, y’all get my drift.
I bet when MLK was compared to Gandhi there were Indians that said, “Oh, no the FUCK that negro didn’t!”
At the time when that ridiculous McDonald’s advertising campaign was in full swing, part of me thought, “WOW, here in Japan, white people can have a tiny taste of how it feels to be black in most countries in the world! Ridiculed and stereotyped derogatorily.” I wondered what the response would be. Admittedly, my initial reaction was a bit of envy-inspired racism, but after I gave all of its ramifications a chance to seep in, I thought of it as a great opportunity for the whites here, like some episode of Tales From The Darkside, to see the world, however minutely, through the eyes of a marginalized race…
But mostly I thought it might be a way for those who believed that there was not much here to get your panties in a bunch over, aside from that which blacks unfortunately in most cases (but deservedly in others) endured; just little knickknack shit that could be worked out slowly over time without hollering, screaming, whining, complaining, protests and boycotts and all that American jazz that will only backfire here…a way for these guys to see the truth!
I imagined that these people would see that condoning or turning a blind eye to racism against one group is the same as doing so against ALL groups. That the Japanese are watching, looking up to you guys, in fact. Hell, I think they even acquired much of their fear and ignorance of blacks from whites, and in many cases, I suspect, are taking their cues from whites, as well. And if their role models in how to be successful in the eyes of the world commit, condone and/or ignore racism against blacks and others, it stands to reason they might adapt similar ideas.
Not to blame whites for everything…clearly the Japanese have their own homegrown brand of ignorance, and the xenophobia here is all theirs, but the envy of whites and influence of whites in this country cannot be overstated. And if you live here you know this.
Of course, this is just a theory. I guess, I could be wrong…wouldn’t be the first time.
But, this would be my strongest argument against gaijin clashing: fighting is all good! Nothing wrong with a heated debate over topics of importance…and. like the man said, you do not truly know someone until you fight them. Sounds pretty sound to me…
We’ve fought and we’ve come to know one another…and we’ll probably have battles in the future. But, in the end, like it or not, we’re all in this together.
Bite my ear off if you must…
Loco
PS: If you haven’t already, please check out my critically-acclaimed book, Hi! MyName is Loco and I am a Racist, available here on Amazon. You’ll be glad you did! Ask any reader or peep the reviews!
Loco, can you format this post a little better? I’ve tried reading it again but I don’t understand which parts are supposed to be quoted and which parts are your own commentary.
B
I’ve re-formatted it a bit…maybe it’s clearer now I hope (-; There are actually only 3 quotes. Those at the beginning with names and sources. The rest is commentary. Paraphrasing and whatnot.
“white people drawing the race card in Japan is not to be tolerated.”
Amen. If I see one more person dismiss this stuff as ‘First World Problems’ or somesuch I swear I’ll give them a real problem to deal with like… er, like… erm…. Forcing them to use Internet Explorer at work. That’ll learn them.
I’m fully with you all the way, right up to the last few paragraphs. I’m not disagreeing with you, necessarily, but that’s a pretty big jump you’re making from ‘racism against whites is still racism’ to ‘Japan learned to be racist from whites’ (I’m paraphrasing, of course).
Again, it’s not that your wrong, per se, but after such a well thought through post that’s a large claim you’re making, without saying much to back it up. Yes, I know there’s a massive influence, but you also know that just saying ‘you know this’ doesn’t really cut it as a line of argument. There gonna be a part 5 to this series? I sincerely hope so.
(PS, I’m also waiting on part two of the Gas Face post. You promised more Gas Face!)
Damn kamo, are you? I was hoping everyone had forgotten about that one cuz I lost my sense of humor, necessary for writing part two, and still haven’t found it yet really. But as soon as I do, since you’ve called me out, I’ll get to it.
As far as my theory that whites have fed Japanese a good portion of the malarkey they’ve come to accept about black people, and the proof that argument requires, I guess I felt the proof was in the pudding, self evident, a given, but you might be right. Some might not acknowledge that Eurocentric countries, etc, in addition to the products they export here, they’ve also exported a great deal of their cultural idiosyncrasies and foolishness, prejudices and racist proclivities.
I don’t have hard data of course, but, for example, a STILL segregated army occupied this country after WWII. Truman didn’t desegregate the army til 1948. So the people here would have witnessed first hands that not even black soldiers that had fought and died for America were accepted as first class citizens and indeed were maltreated and relegated to lowly duties. This would be the first exposure many Japanese had to blacks. White America taught the Japanese a valuable lesson: these people are our foolish minions…we don’t respect them as full citizens of our country. We don’t sleep with them, eat with them, fraternize with them, fight beside them… I’m thinking the Japanese of that time might have even drawn parallels between the treatment of blacks by the US and their own treatment of certain of their citizens: Eta or Burakumin, Ainu, etc…
Oh, the blacks are the Burakumin of America I can easily imagine them thinking. Their behavior these days has not lead me to believe they came to any other conclusion.Not understanding the method in the madness, they might have even concluded that blacks were without honor and self respect.
See how my mind works…thus I call this a theory.
There were other exports too of course but that’ the first that comes to mind.
Thanks for the shout kamo
Loco,
Since you brought up WWII and Japanese exposure to the West, you might find this interesting and relevant. Although the document predates desegregation by a few years.
“No permanent peace will be possible unless persons of all races can meet and work together in a spirit of cooperation and mutual trust. It will probably be years before the excessive race hatred generated by war propaganda will subside. And we in the United States will have to look critically at our own attitudes, before we make elaborate plans for reforming the rest of the world.”
Now for some interesting stuff… if you’re still reading.
“Japanese propagandists have, in this connection, made the most of anti-Negro discrimination in this country. For example, Japanese editorials, public lectures, and radio broadcasts reported in detail the Philadelphia Transit worker’s strike of August 1944 to Japanese audiences. In an editorial in the Nippon Times of August 9 it was declared that 6,000 white employees of the Philadelphia Transportation Company went on strike against the promotion of eight Negro workers. This action, it was declared, served to bring out the brazen cynicism and hypocrisy of American whites who, while professing concern for the welfare of humanity, deny equality and better treatment of the Negro at home. Citing many instances of flagrant violations of these professional ideals which had happened within the past few months, the newspaper said:
‘Not only in the Southern States, but throughout the United States, the rule of White Supremacy has apparently become the blind, bigoted, creed of American Whites….So intolerant, arrogant and selfish are the American white proving to be in their attitude toward colored poeple within their borders, this is too much to expect them to accord any better treatment to the people of the world in the future….’
In communicating with nations where the people are likely to be entirely ignorant of conditions in the United States, Japanese broadcasts go beyond actual conditions.”
From “American Racism: Japan’s Secret Weapon” by Gene Weltfish Aug. 29, 1945
In terms of ‘first exposure’ that I have read about, it was in Okinawa, and it wasn’t pretty and would detract from the post. No need to go there.
Even ‘intelligent’ people in this day and age seem to be fairly clued out in terms of history, what’s recorded, and what’s going on now in a Howard Zinn (people’s history) kind of way.
Wow that is really fascinating and I had no idea about it! God I love history! Thanks for that Man!
“See how my mind works…thus I call this a theory.”
🙂 I can certainly relate to that.
My wife’s grandmother, as with many people her generation, has views on race which I will choose to call ‘unreconstructed’. Which at least affords some certainty. She was telling a tale about the post-war occupation designed primarily to show off how well-to-do her family was, because american servicemen apparently used to come round to their house and very politely ask to use the piano (the only one in the neighbourhood), and even the *`{*@*?*! could play very well.
I had no idea what she meant by *`{*@*?*!, but got the eye from my wife who could see I was gearing up to ask. I left it and asked her later. I forget the actual Japanese word, having no use for it in my day-to-day life, but apparently it’s the equivalent of ‘coloured’.
Clearly that’s no more than anecdotal. In fact, reading it back I’m not sure it’s anything more than tangential to your point, but that’s how my mind works…;)
It all sounds plausible, Is what I’m saying. But I’ve learned to heartily distrust stuff which merely *sounds* plausible, without any form of substance to back it up. I’ll of course forgive you the lack of Gas Face, humour’s rarely at its best when forced, but I’d be very interested if you decide to follow up this train of thought.
I don’t know if it can be called clashing but it’s a little disappointing to be called “blind” or “an apologist” just because I don’t necessarily experience the same level of racism as another. I’ve had this happen from time to time. On the other hand, while it might be true that I sometimes miss a racist act performed towards me, I did have an experience with a friend where I wondered if he might be imagining racist acts performed towards him. The conversation went something like this:
Him: Those racist nihon-jin $%#”s always avoid sitting next to me on the subway.
Me: well you are a pretty big, and frankly, intimidating guy… (he’s 6ft 4, about 120 kilos of layered muscle and fat)
Him: Yeah well…
Me: and that goatee of yours is kind of badass… (his facial hair style is not something so common in Japan)
Him: But…
Me: and those shades you’re wearing now even though it’s at night. I bet you wear those on the subway too right…
Him: Usually…
Me: I probably wouldn’t sit next to you either.
Maybe I was being an asshole in the above conversation but, at that time, I honestly wondered whether it was because he was white that he was being avoided on the subway. Probably I should have given him the benefit of the doubt because I wasn’t the one who experienced what he had experienced.
Anyway, I agree with most that racism is a very serious problem in Japan and worldwide. At the same time, we should respect each others stances on the matter and try to create an environment where we can openly discuss our experiences. Something I haven’t always done, admittedly…
The label blind is for those who can’t see it, not that they don’t experience it. They’re blinded by various social blinders. I envy them sometimes. The apologist label is for those that see it but excel at finding ways to excuse it or forgive it, use platitudes like homogenous culture and isolation etc… Rationalizing it away is also popular. I excel at that.of course the rationale I use is often racist but its better than calling someone else one. Like I tell myself, they don’t know any better…like children can’t really get upset with children for making you feel bad. Just bad upbringing. Not their fault. You know?
Agreed that racism is racism is racism, and it should never be allowed to go unchecked. The people who say that the racism done by Japanese against foreigners, particularly white ones, is fairly innocuous are missing a huge point; the level of pain caused by acts of racism perpetrated against an individual is linearly proportional to how much influence or power the group of people, of which the person who commits the racist act(s) is a member of, has over the victim. What might be merely irksome to some foreigners in Japan could be quite hurtful to others here.
Personally, I’m a self-absorbed ass and don’t really give a shit what the Japanese think. Just being honest. If I were the child of Korean or Chinese immigrants, I’d probably care a whole lot more. I care what my friends think about me as a person and what my co-workers think of me as a fellow employee. But, that’s about the extent of it. However, I know people who are heavily entrenched here in Japan, and what the Japanese think and feel about them weighs on them heavily…
Here’s to the self absorbed asses. I envy thee. Oh wait, I’m one too. Just an hypersensitive one. The worst of both worlds lol
Hey Loco, hope all is well.
I’m not sure if I agree with the white envy thing really, I mean it might be like that up there, but there’s none of that down here. More like they need to learn western things to keep up in the world.
There are definitely racist people though and it seems a lot of people’s racism here stems across all races; however it varies in form according to race. For example you get these characters who go out of their way to help foreigners, especially whites; however these same people will speak Japanese to you in a funny way or force English upon you even though you’re chatting with a group of Japanese speakers and substitute words, as they are most likely assuming that foreign minds are incapable of getting Japanese past a certain extent, which is a load of bullshit. I had one of these people on the weekend who persisted in speaking to me like a baby and the like and then went on to say that I should be careful around where I live as there are lots of Chinese and so my bicycle will get knicked. I felt like pushing the bitch off the side of the ferry on the way home. So for that person, their racism towards whites comes out in a very sympathetic form, but not from benevolence, rather what seems to be a superiority complex, where as the poor Chinese just cop the raw form of it. Whatever it is, it seems to strip one of all individuality as I cop the same treatment as some guy who is here for a week on holidays.
That Mr. James campaign was a load of rubbish and I’m glad a fuss was made about it. Talk about condescending and just plain arrogant. Those things would hurt a lot of people who have put a lot of time and money into this country, I know it did for me. There are many people around whose specialist Japanese is better than most Japanese, so to get dumbed down in something like that is just a big kick in the balls.
I guess the problem is that amongst non-Japanese people here, people’s positions vary so much. You have people assigned from foreign countries who get their pay from overseas and exist in their own bubble here; you get people related to English, some who are just here to screw around and others who come here to try and fit in, also long and short-term, and also serious about the English profession and just doing it to get by; and then you have people who deal with translation and so forth; also you have people married to Japanese who have either met them abroad and come back or met while here. You get transitions between groups as well. The challenge I suppose is to find some sort of common ground which acts as a social cohesive.
I do hope that one day we can all be judged individually though.
AMEN!,
Thanks Mo
As far as white envy, yeah that could very well be localized.or it just may be more overt here, subtler else where. Who knows? I would be surprised if there was none. But I am constantly surprised here.
This is some very subjective sociology, though. “You do not truly know someone until you fight them.”
Most of this internet fighting is by a certain cut of people. Right away, you have to discount them 20 or 30 points, simply because it’s the same ones always out looking for the fight.
In a lot of what I’ve read, it’s not about learning about, or from, the other people. It’s more like the print version of who can outshout the other.
I was saying a few weeks ago, that since the Japanese pretty much allow the minor infractions in this fighting to go unremarked, it just keeps on. And it must be, somehow, to the benefit of the runners of Japan.
I don’t know if there is a hierarchy within racial groups within the Japan-side expat community, because there are so disproportionately fewer blacks. It seemed too, there were more African blacks than African-Americans. (Canadians, etc.) The real racism might be that the Japanese don’t “host” enough blacks, and not any pecking order in J-society.
The real racism is that it makes a difference what the skin color is yo! so what if one hasn’t hosted a particular race before. Change the “black” in that sentence to “green-eyed” or “O+” people and see if you still stand by it as plausible
Thanks for the shout
I dunno Loco, it sounds like a party game. “You never know someone until you fight with them” on the issue, but the basis of it is supposed to be colorblind to begin with. (You are fighting when you are not supposed to be fighting.)
You ever have a fight with your significant other and learn something essential that you hadn’t known previously, something that impacted the relationship in ways you couldn’t have fathomed before the fight took place? I think of that phrase as such…nothing more. It’s not the cornerstone of my thinking, just a pithy little quote. Not as useless as a party game but not a motto, either…Fits some situations, doesn’t fit others… This one I think it fits, for I’ve learned a great deal through the bickering about myself and my own motivations as well as those of others. That’s all I meant. I don’t want it etched in my tombstone or anything. lol (-; Geez, deep thoughts from the Wachowski Brothers
Loco,
Thanks for another great post. Seeing Japan through your eyes, so to speak, is always an enlightening experience.
Unfortunately, as long as there are idiots who successfully instil fear/hate/revulsion in one group of people against another (or many others), there will be racism. I know a white guy who is married to a Japanese woman, and has half-Japanese kids. You would think that this would make him more accepting of different races and cultures and whatnot. But you would be wrong.
Very wrong.
He actually classifies people by race in a wholesale fashion. Apparently, the Japanese are okay because they’re hard-working and clever; the Filipinos, on the other hand, are feckless layabouts… and (shock horror) Catholics! My jaw hit the floor when I heard him say all this. And as you can imagine, I very much wanted to make his jaw hit the floor with some force as well.
Above all, I wondered what on earth his kids would grow up believing. I’m glad that you’re out there, teaching kids and showing them the best of humanity. Sadly, some of them won’t be seeing much of it at home.
All the best, and keep up the good work.
Hey Andy!! Thank you sir!!
“He actually classifies people by race in a wholesale fashion.” He must fit in very well in these parts…
like you said, idiots instilling fear and ignorance.
Sounds like someone I’d be clashing with quite a bit.
Hi, first time post here for me. A few things:
(1) It was explained to me by Japanese friend that white people (Europeans) were historically the biggest perps where colonialism and racism is concerned, so white people don’t have any right to complain. Rather expressions of white-man’s guilt over our racist, colonial and imperialist past are welcomed.
(2) I don’t know if white people can be fully blamed for the heirarchy of races that might exist in Japan. I noticed some Japanese people complaining about the lack of black models in the media and advertising, whereas as white people are employed in this area. They say that this relates to some inferiority complex japanese people have vis-a-vis whites. And they blame white people/ the occupation, etc. for this indoctrination. However, these decisions are made by Japanese marketing/advertising executives catering to a Japanese public. Maybe it is malarkey that got spread by white people, maybe not. It would be an interesting debate (I have done no research and I am not an expert)
(3) Im white. I have experienced some isolated incidents of racism from Japanese people. But on the whole my experience here does not make me think there is a lot of racism in Japan at least towards people of my racial background. My perspective may be skewed. However, if there was widespread, macro, racism towards white people then that would be different. From my own experience only, I am not sure that every act of racism needs to be called out and challenged. That is another way of saying I am not sure it is in my interest to react that way. That might be very slimey – there’s an admission from me. Maybe that makes me an apologist. You let me know.
Thanks for sharing TJ!
Not really seeking to blame…just sharing some thoughts.
“I am not sure that every act of racism needs to be called out and challenged.” God, what a privilege it is to be able to have such thoughts. I’ve never known that feeling. Sometimes I envy it. Sometimes I’m disgusted by it. But. it’s admirable that you can be honest to yourself…most can’t!
I can’t tell you what you are…Like Michael Jackson said, talk to the man in the mirror. (-; and like Paul McCartney sang, listen to what man says…
Not sure if it’s alright to just jump in here, but you said something very interesting to me. “I am not sure that every act of racism needs to be called out…I am not sure it is in my interest to react that way.”
I found this interesting because I can definitely see where you are coming from, and I can also definitely see how some would not be able to tolerate it. I think it is a matter of how much it affects you and if that affect is strong enough (and in this case negative enough) to spur you to do something. I would say that an apologist is someone who is in denial because they can’t admit the negative thing aloud (like a kid who insists his father is good even though he drinks and hits his mom sometimes, it’s not really his fault, really).
But knowing yourself and which battles are important for you is a totally different thing. If you Really aren’t that bothered or don’t experience it very often. If you can look Honestly at yourself and say it is not hurting you or transforming you in a way that is unhealthy/negative…then I wouldn’t say you were being an apologist at all. Actually, I think just a solid awareness of the issue, how it affects one personally or how it maybe affecting others is enough for some sense of consensus between Gaijin.
But that’s my own two cents though. Just got me thinking.
To both Rissa and TJ, i suggest you replace the word “racism” with “child molestation or abuse” (on the heavy side) or “rape” (on the light side) and see if you have the same “meh, its not affecting me personally so it’s all good” feeling about it. And if you don’t think that racism in all it’s forms is on the level of rape or child abuse in as far as its detrimental impact on every society, on global recognition of human rights, and on the individual as well, then ask yourself why.
With your permission, I submit the following:
“English teachers have a strategic position in helping to create a new world able to free itself from the curse of racism…It requires only that English teachers understand a little more of the nature and history of racism and what is needed to unseat it….We can hardly help believing that antagonisms between races are inescapable as the facts of fair skin and dark skin, of slanting eyes and prominent noses. Many people suppose that race prejudice must necessarily last as long as there are physical differences between the races. We cannot credit the fact that racism is quite a new idea in human history and that separating the sheep from the goats by finding out to what races their grandparents belonged is a very modern invention. It is nevertheless true. The very word “race” is of modern origin and there was no real equivalent of it in the classical languages. We need to look back a little so that we can get some perspective on our modern world.”
“Race, therefore, was an indefinitely applicable notion, and it could be used to justify innumerable class and national conflicts. If one basis of racial classification did not fit the political necessities, another was selected.”
“The attitude we need to cultivate in order to eliminate race prejudice is respect for human beings in their own right – and to recognize that a man is descent is impossible without the ability also to recognize that another man is spiteful.”
“The English teacher can make another contribution toward freeing the world of cruelty and discriminations. They [novels of American minorities] can open our eyes to human dignity and frailty, which is independent of classifications that are based on race and creed and country of origin.”
“Children thus fortified will be inoculated against racism.”
Racism Is Vulnerable
-Ruth Benedict
1946
Will, my man forty grand…
Ruth Benedict sounds like someone I’d like to get to know better!
“…what is needed to unseat it” A lyricist after my heart!
“They [novels of American minorities] can open our eyes to human dignity and frailty…” amen!
Thank you so much for sharing this!
Until the Blogosphere will be filled with extremists (“Japan is 100% Racist” Trolls on one side and Japanophile CheerLeaders on the other) there will only be GaijinClashes and no serious talking about “real” racism.
Propaganda messages (being too pro or too anti Japan) should be dismissed and the next step should be to have a place where acts of racism can be exposed and discussed.
Reported cases should be analyzed by unbiased grown up people with experience and the discussion should end up with suggestions on how to further expose the episode and the perpetrators (when possible) or, in case it was a case of “cultural based” unacceptance case, explain the situation to the reporter in order to improve better understanding between foreigners and the natives.
Abstract talks are fundamental to focalize on many issues, but if they keep going at infinitum, also marred by extremists all the time, it will be difficult to help the situation, and even to be taken seriously (which might be the worst problem altogether).
Nicely put..
I’ve only been on the business end of outright racial discrimination here once in damn near 9 years. If my beef was with the kind of racism my parents and grandparents dealt with in the US then I would have to bow out of this conversation cuz I haven’t personally experienced any of it directly. But, the racism of a “microaggressive” nature I deal with daily. These “acts” are so minute, arguable, abstract even, that sometimes I dismiss them myself, in spite of myself (which is a painful and maddening thing to do). Is the seat beside me the empty one or last to be approached or even acknowledged coincidence, on any given day,or not? Is that couple standing in the entrance way to the cafe stealing glances at the empty table beside mine (and at me) discussing whether or not they dare sit beside me or the weather? Did that man hop off the train and re-board at another door (after giving me one or a series of suspicious looks) because of me or for some other reason? These kinds of things may not fit nicely into your case study…they’ll rarely be evidence of what people are thinking aside from their behavior, which will almost always be open to interpretation. The fact that it is consistent and even predictable to an extent doesn’t even prove anything.
This is the behavior I deal with and write about. Not the job discrimination, housing discrimination, and other such analyzable and tangible racist acts. This is why I was so moved by the Debito article. It seemed to get at what I see as more of an issue than anything else here.
So, my question, Dave, is what would you recommend to address the above (which are a handful of examples among hundreds of “paper-cut” type offenses or”perceived” offenses)? Do these acts fall under “real” racism in your assessment?
Ignoring them is out of the question…relating them draws fire and cannibals (and some support, commiseration, but no solutions…)
Anyone else feel free to give a holler as well…
Well, I’m white, but in my forties. When I first came in my early twenties, I was much better received than I am now. I guess my ‘freshness’ has worn off.
Whether the microagressions or my awareness of them have increased is not clear to me, but I experience all of those incidents on a daily basis. Perhaps it is because I’m not the fresh-faced blondy that the older generation gives me the sneers and jeers.
I’m not afraid to talk about it. Racism is racism. And it does bother me daily, so I’m leaving this place.
BTW – I also suffer from white-guilt. What my ancestors did to create slavery is unforgivable. But the Japanese are also guilty of slavery.
Happy trails yo! And i hope you can get free of that guilt.
I had a not so subtle bad experience myself (at a shop in Asakusa, if it’s of any interest I’ll tell you about it) and I witnessed or experienced things similar to what you mentioned quite a few times, (I’m a little curious about the frequency of such acts though, aside from trains do the other cases happen “ALL” the time to you?) what would be really useful to understand though, is what generates such behaviors (the one you mentioned, the right winged moron you might stumble upon occasionally is hard to cure I’m afraid). Is it real racial hate? Is it fear of the unknown? Is it just plain ignorance? a bad habit younger generations might inherit? And what can we do about it?
When I have the chance I try to inquire the natives (the ones I happen to have some familiarity with) , and some more understanding comes out of it, which poses the question: can we improve understanding with the Japanese…without the japanese?
I’m afraid not, it would just end up in (for how righteous they might be) endless complaints.
I’m sure you watched this video already (link below) and the girl is clearly unaware of other forms of micro-aggressions, so she limits the discussion to the fact we are generally treated as tourists “just off the boat” even when we have been living here for many years (you can jump the first 2 minutes if you want), but aside from her naiveness at min 3,37 she makes a good point (which serves us as a starting point):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jz80e5pCOo&feature=plcp
Now, for how much she might have to learn about the situation, she seems the kind of woman who can understand something if you clearly show such things to her, and like her, there are others in japan, both because they studied abroad or because they married a foreigner (both men and women) this is the kind of people that can help the cause if approached correctly, as they can talk to their relatives and friends about you (ie:about us foreigners) and I bet that if instead of being at a 100% foreigners table (or alone) you are with Japanese people (if speaking in Japanese all the better) people not only will have no trouble sitting at the next table but MOST importantly, will learn an important lesson and that is that “befriending” a foreigner is in the realm of possibilities.
Now I know that this must be done on a certain “scale” to have an impact, and that we cannot be in company of known native people all the times, but that is only part of the “show the Japanese who we are” process, if this thing becomes widespread, the word of mouth effect would end up somewhere good (think of it as some sort of viral campaign).
At the end of the video she makes her second wise statement: getting angry at them will solve nothing.
These kind of people is also what would be needed in an hypothetical “report racism” message board. Japanese people with international experience (as well as husbands and wives of foreigners) and people like you that have demonstrated an objective critical eye and a genuine desire to improve understanding, should be the moderators of such board.
But the bottom line is: we cannot keep just talking among foreigners of the issue (worse if it’s with trolls or cheerleaders) we need some natives and the best place to start is with those who were exposed directly to foreign cultures.
But of one thing should be clear to everyone: it takes time and a lot of patience. When racial understanding is at stake many generations might come and go without seeing the final results. It’s just the way it is. But getting mad solves nothing and puts us in the wrong doers corner, for how unjust it might seem. Then nobody will care about what you have to say quite sadly (oh, and to avoid misunderstandings, I’m not referring to you in the last sentence, it’s just a general advice).
Dave…
Firstly, I want to say thanks for taking the time to respond.
I’m not sure how long you’ve been reading my blog but I’m gonna assume you’re new here based on your responses to my queries (which by the way are very rational and constructive and appreciated) Loco in Yokohama is a chronicle of what I see and how I manage it, actions taken and wisdom gleaned. You should check it out.
The acts I describe are but a few of the too many, and occur, at the risk of understating it, regularly and consistently.
I have been here eight years, and I’m a fairly intelligent and solution oriented individual.
I am not to blame for their behavior, ignorance, racism or hate. Suggestions to such are rude, at best.
I speak Japanese…not native fluency but I can communicate and DO communicate. I am a writer and a thinker so I seek to get to the bottom of things. I ask questions. Not of foreigners generally for in these matters, like you, I’ve concluded the natives can provide the best clues as to understanding why these things occur and best to alleviate them (if possible).
I am possession of a great deal of patience, though I must admit, in damn near nine years of this, it is wearing a little thin, as you might imagine.
Anger solves nothing…(deep breath) okay, I’ll keep that in mind, Dave. **Please Note that I have not chewed your ear off for your presumptuous infuriating tone, and have accepted it in the spirit of “it must be difficult for people who don’t experience what i do and see what I do to grasp the scale of it.** I would kill for a video of what I see to show you, but the best I can do is try and describe it in writing…you should read my book. It encapsulates me and my experiences here and prior to coming here much better than the handful of posts you’ve probably read.
But, if you have not the time to do that, just check out my conversations with the natives in my archives. They’ll give you some insight as well.
But, I’ll sum it up this way…why isn’t our shared humanity a given? Why is fear the first response to a stranger? Is it necessary for me (us) to prove our humanity and decency to people? Shouldn’t it be a given? Is it a given with you, when you encounter people of a different race, that the individual is indeed a human, in possession of basic human qualities? Sure he might speak a different language and not know how to do this or that, but essentially, isn’t it a given that he has feelings and thoughts similar to your own, since we all process this world according to our shared humanity? Anyway..
And I think I should make it clearer that the issues I address are not issues that occur after contact is made with the natives. What makes living here challenging is the behavior BEFORE contact is made. The behavior of strangers upon encountering you. Not the difficulties with building a relationship. Those are expected and to an extent accepted. I address the behavior before this relationship can be established. I’m talking about my silent interactions with strangers I’ll probably never see again. I’m not talking about being accepted as a Japanese person, or as a foreigner with Japanese knowledge and skills. I’m talking about the initial interaction. The first impression.
For the record, the micro-microaggressions you seem to have in mind are not my beefs…I wish they were. I’m talking about common human decency. Not being feared instinctively, leading to the compulsive avoiding, evading, escaping, and other behaviors I see regularly. Not chopsticks and “nihongo jouzu” stuff…(which is annoying but on an entirely different level than what I’m talking about.
It’s a fascinating and revealing discussion here, and I wish I could give it the attention it deserves in the little time I have available for such things.
Two quick, and by no means deep, observations:
1. You’re assuming of course that the “basic human qualities” are all good. History, unfortunately, shows us otherwise, and you can’t unwind all of that in an instant. So people circle each other at first. Not all people are the same (the myth of the homogeneous), some are more gregarious and some more wary, but trust isn’t given in an instant, either.
2. Talking of microaggressions (that are unconscious and instinctive per the definition), you say: “And I think I should make it clearer that the issues I address are not issues that occur after contact is made with the natives.” How should we interpret your use of the term “the natives”? Completely innocent and factually accurate; unfortunate choice of words given the historical context of the term; deliberate subjugation of presumed inferiors?
Not poking, just participating.
The Japanese are the natives here in every sense of the word.
And yes I guess you’re right…human nature often is untrustworthy and untrusting. I’m just pointing out that ideally we’d like to and are striving towards a period in humankind where we do not criminalize people we meet because they have different eye colors or what have you. I’m a dreamer I know. Went to john Lennon high school and MLK University and grew up in a place where I didn’t see much of that. But I’ve gotten used to it as much as one can.
I agree with your remarks about “common sense humanity” and good will being automatically extended to everyone on impact, regardless of nationality, race and whatnot (ideally it would be great), but as Ril said above, it isn’t exactly like so everywhere (almost nowhere in fact) and Japan adds to that a very peculiar history when it comes to meeting people from other nations. Many scholars said the Americans should have been patient and gained Japanese trust (with them being isolated for centuries and all) after several years (not months or a couple of years) of attempts and courtesies, while Commodore Perry decided to cut the crap and bomb them.
This is difficult people to deal with, we cannot be in denial of this important fact, and yes Perry might have got a short term result but the seed of grudge was planted too.
Many foreigners (including some responders to Debito’s article) decided already on the bombing stance, while au contrair I see you as one of the few that can do it right.
I’m sorry that my “tone” came (or comes) out as “presumptuous infuriating”, when I write I’m really thinking in a very calm tone, and I can assure you it is not my intention to thunder judgements down, just trying to add my views (and sometimes verifying other’s) using a medium which makes it hard to see the expressions (quite friendly in this case) on other people faces.
And you are right, I don’t have a full picture of your experiences, but for that very same reason, I speak “in general”, so if you hear me say “this would be good” I’m not implying that you represent the opposite of what I said, au contrair, I might think you’re the right person to whom I can unload thoughts I had on my mind for a while, because I believe you’re a guy who I can talk with about these matters (you’re taking it as If whatever I say is a suggestion for you to shut up, or you being the opposite of what I said when it’s the opposite).
Now, going back to the subject at hand, what I was trying to convey is the notion of time. I was pointing out that to reach a level where people that never met you before, will give you a certain level of trust on impact, a ton of time has to pass where good behaving foreigners seen with japanese friends (on one side) and Japanese friends or spouses spreading our gospel on the other, becomes the norm, and as been the norm for ages.
Since it is guaranteed that it won’t happen overnight (as a matter of fact, it might not even happen in our lifetimes) we should all ask ourselves if we are willing to bare their initial lack of trust, or not. If Japan for some reason gives us that certain something for which is worthy to help them out with this or not. And have the maturity not to be too upset if we find out it doesn’t or that despite a thousand problems, it actually does.
I mentioned the latter case because I noticed a lot of people in that situation, they are mad because Japan isn’t perfect, and yet they can’t escape as they love it too much. Reminds me of those cases where the victims fall in love with the kidnapper ^____^
Hey Dave, thanks again for the comment!
“it isn’t exactly like so everywhere (almost nowhere in fact)” Just want to make it clear that I’m talking about handing strangers the keys to your house. I’m talking about the basics along the lines of “innocent til proven guilty.” I mean, that’s how I encounter the world. there is not a person or type of person I find so disagreeable on first glance as to shun them the way it occurs here as a norm. And I know I’m a product of a country (and in particular a city) where we learn that different is not necessary dangerous, and even if you do feel a bit of trepidation at the encounter, it’s best to reserve judgment, at least conspicuously, because conspicuously pre-judging people is bad form (to say the least.) Is this really a rare idea? Is NY such a unique place? Maybe it is…
I do not have fear of people not posing an obvious threat…generally.
“This is difficult people to deal with, we cannot be in denial of this important fact, and yes Perry might have got a short term result but the seed of grudge was planted too.”
A grudge? really? Well, if that’s true, that explains a lot. Interesting theory. I don’t subscribe to it. I think it’s just perpetuated ignorance, taught in the schools, passed down from the older generation, and ingrained in the culture, and reinforced by the media. I guess isolation plays a role, the way slavery plays a role in modern day African-American social issues. History’s impact, like you said, is a relevant factor. (btw that is the first time I have ever conceded that notion…don’t know why….feels weird. I think it was because I associated with the black experience in America for the first time…hmmm) I mean, just as de facto slavery in the US continued until 1965, de facto isolation continues here, I suspect, perpetuated by ignorance, xenophobia, racial exclusivity and ostracization (at least from what I’ve seen.)
Oh man…that’s a thought with wings, best kept in a cage for the time being…anyway
“so if you hear me say “this would be good” I’m not implying that you represent the opposite of what I said, au contrair, I might think you’re the right person to whom I can unload thoughts I had on my mind for a while, because I believe you’re a guy who I can talk with about these matters (you’re taking it as If whatever I say is a suggestion for you to shut up, or you being the opposite of what I said when it’s the opposite).” Yeah, I did take a deep breath and backed away from the keyboard…I mean, any suggestion that anger is part of my game plan, or I’m just another angry gaijin complaining just don’t sit well with me. and the fact that you felt the need to say it felt presumptuous, But taking a moment helped a bit.
I think (and I’m working on the conclusion to this series which may tackle this a bit) the behavior I’m talking, the one where trust that I mean no harm is conspicuously denied (a dehumanizing form of snubbing anywhere on this planet including Japan, I’ve learned through discussing it with neighbors) sometimes intentionally, sometimes not, compounded with the other behavior discussed in the Debito article, for me, creates an arena of distrust….trust being the essential ingredient to any kind of relationship. Personally I find it very difficult to trust people that have shown me such a level of distrust before I’ve even had an opportunity to show how well-meaning I am. If I’m to be judged by whatever category they’ve decided I belong in (foreigner, black, American, etc…) and not as an individual, then aside for personal relationships with individual Japanese people, I’m hard-pressed to extend to the masses my goodwill towards man. Trust has not and may not be achieved in this manner.
I’m being told, essentially, that i have to forgive the mistrusting nature of the natives and trust that underneath that instinctively ill-treatment there is a person I would really want to know and be in any kind of relationship with…that their mistrust is nothing personal, but just a general mistrust of all people who look conspicuously different. I must trust that in their heart of hearts they really don’t make any distinctions between my humanity and their own; that I won’t have to spend a tremendous amount of time and energy disgustingly convincing them that their humanity is ultimately not that different from mine…
Anyway, trust is a two=way street.
If I were to get into any activism, it would certainly not be any that encourage a mindset that thrives on grouping people… I meet people all the time and have conversations, and my influence over my students cannot be overstated, and that alone fulfills the kind of activism you mentioned, for i am out and about with the natives, showing that I am not a threat, and have been doing so for a quite a while now…and maybe talk of me has gone viral in Japanese circles, Japanese people among themselves are saying that “black guys are safe to approach cuz I saw one of US hanging out with one of THEM and they seemed to be having a great time…” but that’s sickening to me, and not the way to resolve anything. Because if that’s the way it goes, as soon as some asshole does something stupid (and they always fucking do) that will go viral too and we’re back to square fucking one, no?
Sorry for the burst of anger…you know how WE are (-;
Seriously, though…
Let Me say one thing first this time: talking with you is great, and I hope to have this pleasure, as much as time permits, in the future too (I did have some time at my disposal these days, I’m sure you noticed.. ;^_^).
When I suggest things here, in my mind (but I forget that not everybody can read it ;^_^) I mean it differently depending on what I’m talking about, one is the general good advice I would give anyone and some things might be suggestions for you (not that they should have major importance, but take them for what they are, suggestions), but I mix things up quite a bit and I understand it’s not clear which is which more often than not. So I’ll clarify this from now on! 🙂
Now allow me to go “general” for a moment:
On to the issue that “as soon as someone does something stupid it goes viral too”. Sadly enough it’s exactly what happens.
Look at it this way, I had a guy once which was complaining about certain politicians which take away taxes on one side, but introduce compensating ones elsewhere bringing everything back to square one. For laughs I told him:”well it’s still way better than those which only add taxes, one after the other at infinitum!”.
We have a similar case here, regardless of wether we like the “bad viral” part or not, it’s there and it’s real, so imagine there is a group of Japanese discussing the issue, would it be better (for us) for them to be 50% pro and 50% con (compensating somewhat) or a situation where everyone is adding a bad anecdote after the other?
What I mean is, the fact bad viral exist, should be an additional reason to counter it with good stuff 10 folds, and not to throw in the towel.
Now, to Loco:
Talking to Loco now: On the “should I believe that behind the Japanese that isn’t trusting me, lies a good guy I might befriend” issue, let me ask you a question: are you 100% positive that among the Japanese students (or any kind of Japanese) you befriended or that has your respect, there isn’t someone that if you had met in different circumstances, wouldn’t have acted so positively in your regard?”
And in case you assume that there is, the fact you befriended him/her isn’t proof enough that in good circumstances, an unknown guy might act very differently toward you? My guess is that in many cases, yes, behind the unknown mistrusting guy there are possible candidates for (eventual) friendship all the time.
So please don’t go “i despise them all except a few” just yet.
At present we have people that do good on the streets, people that do wrong on the streets, and mostly people that talks solely with foreigners on the net.
I advocate for an additional option where foreigners concerned about our relationship with the Japanese in their home land, can join an adult discussion about the matter with english speaking Japanese (at first it should start with this kind of Japanase) and slowly improve things.
Initially it should be those like Alyse’s husband, one of your trusted students perhaps, others which have studied in the US etc.
Eventually, since you know japanese, you could make some bilingual posts (and here I truly mean “eventually” as in VERY down the line) and start something on the line of “ok, there is mistrust, let’s understand it better and see what we can do about it together”.
By the way Loco, I know you like California (so do I 😉 ), but it would be great to have more Locos in Yokohama (or anywhere else in Japan) and very bad to have one less, so here’s my vote for you to stay… have you decided yet?
Hey Dave,
Again, thanks for the shout!
Maybe I’m not making myself clear…
I have no problem making Japanese friends.
At this very moment I am having a conversation on SKYPE with the mother of my first girlfriend in Japan who past a few years back. She’s thanking me for writing so sincerely about her daughter and their family in my book (which she is currently having translated). She’s telling me how she is kind of embarrassed to have her daughter’s love shared with the public so openly and frankly but she is also very proud that someone loved her daughter so much to be so honest and forthright about that love. These are the kind of relationships I forge here in this arena of mistrust. I am WAYYYYY past the superficial.
I tell you this so you will know that I know that there are wonderful people out there…but the fact is, I had a way in through the curtain of fear and mistrust that I encounter as a matter of course here. Every relationship I’ve had in this country that has sustained has been of this nature.
I have no intention of turning Loco in Yokohama into a venue where Japanese can come and speak to foreigners in Japanese. I do not want to hear any more explanations for the behavior I see…it’s unjustifiable. I know the reason already: irrational fear and deep-seated ignorance. I am disgusted by the notion that i need to explain to people that this behavior is hurtful and doesn’t promote trust or a spirit of cooperation. Duh!
I believe that this is a cross-cultural given. Anyone that doesn’t know that pushing people away, or fearing people or labeling them pariah based on anything other than their individual behavior or character is bad form has my sympathy (sometimes), but not my respect.
What I do is be the best person I can be, here or anywhere else. I do plenty good as far international relations go here. I accept friendship when given cause to and I can manage it. I agree that extra measures need to be taken. I think until I figure out exactly what those measures are, any measures would be a waste of time and energy. Believe me, in my tenure here I have sought them out, tried many different approaches, and keep coming up with zilch. I think what you have suggested will make a difference, slowly, painfully slow. I have been there, done that, thought that and felt that. And it WILL land you a few friends but I already have a few friends.
I do have a message I would like to share with the fine people of Japan and I put it in a book, which I will translate into Japanese as soon as I can. It is my manifesto and I think it will do much more toward improving relations, sparking needful conversations and fostering understanding between gaijin and NJ than any half-assed Japanese on my blog would.
But, I do love to hear new ideas…I have not closed my mind. Just put up a semi-permeable membrane between my heart and people who would break it without even considering its existence, is all. Sorry to disappoint you (if I have) but the mutual lack of trust, so pervasive here, (and not just between Japanese and NJ) has made this a necessity. I have something precious to protect!
Fair enough, I hear your explanations and I fully respect your point of view.
In this post I just wanted to highlight the fact that my interest in the subject comes from past experiences in different countries (and continents) further fueled by a 1-2 punch me and a dear friend received in the past (in Japan of course), two episodes of racism NOT subtle at all, which on two different but close occasions, left deep scars.
I lived in the USA, Caribbean, Europe and Japan and what I can tell you is that social evolution isn’t homogeneous at all world wide, not to mention that you can go anywhere in the world without finding people as socially complicated as the japanese. They are quite mistrustful among themselves and have been perpetrating acts of exclusivism among themselves centuries before foreigners came. When it comes to dealing with foreigners their proverbial mistrust is magnified out of fear (and yes you are right, fear comes from ignorance, from “not knowing”) and certainly recent history, full of acts ignited by ignorance (on both sides) hasn’t helped much.
I have to thank you for what you do, and I admit that reading through your articles, a and talking to you (and other people here) I had quite a few eyeopeners, which expanded my concepts of racism.
Translating your book in Japanese is a fantastic idea and WILL make a difference. I generally think that good things must not be “mutually exclusive” (necessarily), so who knows, after reading your book some Japanese might ask for a place to talk about the issues highlighted in the book (or just about the book in general) and you will end up with Japanese posts anyway 🙂
Also, I will definitively read your book, and I consider doing so such an anticipated moment that I want to dedicate it my full attention (my free time will be up in the next days, hope to manage sooner rather than later). Thinking about it I could’ve done so in the fast few days (shame on me and major bummer O_o).
I’ll rectify asap.
Look forward to your future articles!
Hey Loco – I think my comment on your last part could have gone here. And hehe, I do recognize the Caucasians don’t deserve sympathy for racism line as uncomfortably familiar…
Let’s go back to the beginning. Where this all started. Debito wrote what I will give him credit for being an eloquent, insightful and wonderfully inflammatory post where he took the daily irritations every new foreign arrival in Japan experiences and usually suffers through trying to process (ah yes, those chopstick compliments…) and links it to an academic theory he came across by psychiatrist Chester M. Pierce formulated in the context of small daily indignities suffered by racial minorities still in the American south as an explanation of the mentality underpinning those irritating and ignorant “compliments”. My rejection of Debito’s theory was not of the existence of microaggression anywhere, or even the practice of microaggression against some racial minorities in Japan. My problem, as a self-hating white person, is with the idea that Japanese pay these compliments to Caucasians out of a sense and with a subliminal intent of reinforcing a perception that those poor poor white people they taunt with moronic compliments are inferior to them.
You mentioned this to me yourself and I quite agree, if there is a criticism to be made of the way Japanese society resisted colonialism, it is that in spite of that, parts of Japanese society to my eyes have clearly wholesale bought into many of the most questionable precepts and notions associated with western colonialism, included notions of ranking of races by superiority and inferiority, and worse still, not infrequently even willingly putting themselves below whites on their mistaken ranking of races.
I came to Japan from a small island country in part because I admired the way Japan had in spite of its developmental isolation, achieved such economic success and standing without being another western or western dominated country. And yet, upon arriving here, I found, in my own experience as an earnest, quiet, blonde haired and blue eyed graduate with Japanese ability and a professional degree, people regularly overestimating my abilities to a point that I was actually needing to proactively tone down and lower the expectations of those around me to avoid disappointing them as I invariably did when they discovered that far from a white superman, I was actually a slightly below average Japanese person…
Now, I have encountered sh#tkicker racism of the kind you described in your book a handful of times – the kind that Debito has dedicated his life to hunting down and shining a light upon. I have also had some deep conversations with Japanese friends who have confided in my that they really don’t like white people, because they seem so arrogant and self entitled, and because they are often such racists (people who look at whites this way often are quite internationalized, and in my experience end up fans of and married to other foreigners, with white being one of their not-acceptable criteria). There is a blues number by the band Blue Hearts dedicated to ripping on self entitled whites in Japan who think they can do anything. There are youtube and 2 channel blogs dedicated to attacking whites, particularly those seen as being most racist (Aussies catch a lot of targeting here). So sure, hate for white people is out there, and I’ve run into it.
But, if you tell me that a someone who looks like Debito or myself is being complimented on chopsticks from a mindset that corresponds to that of a white southerner patronizing a black person in the US, I have to express my skepticism. Although I don’t rule out the possibility in some cases, and certainly not more often in the case of other races.
Also as someone who looks like Debito, and should experience Japan racially in a similar manner to him, I am often left to conclude that the difference of his experience comes down more to his personality than his race. And this makes me less forgiving of his suffering, and people with similar complaints – not that the man hasn’t fought many good fights, and commendably sought out and shown up places that should be boycotted and attacked for being unacceptably racist against his and other races.
I dunno, that’s pretty much my take. Yeah. Maybe I gotta ease up on fellow pakehas… 🙂
I believe you’ve misunderstood the issue.
Debito’s claims of racism in Japan are, more often than not, a case of his own racism. Read the opening pages from his book, he stereotypes and dismisses *all* Japanese to an absurd level. In fact, he is one of the few people that buys into the “Japan has a special unique culture” myth. The only difference is that he paints it black instead of white, like the far-right nationalists. He’s just the other side of the same coin.
Moreover, debito is in no way interested in legitimate race issues in Japan. Against Asians, or Brazilians, etc. He’s interested *only* in his own master race’s alleged racism.
Thus comparing him to *anyone* in the Abolitionist movement is a nonstarter. He in no way compares to a MLK. Nor to somebody of a different race fighting for equality of another race… debito only fights for “equality” of his race, and only from a standpoint of his own racist attitude towards Japanese culture being inferior.
The issue with this microaggression bullshit is that it’s just that. If a black girl on a subway gave you the brush, it wouldn’t be a race issue. It’s only race because she’s Japanese and you’re looking for racism.
The reluctancy of white folk to comment on the legitimacy of your experiences is merely a matter of real-world facts. You go on and on about how you can’t change the fact you’re black; well… I can’t change the fact I’m white and thus by default my personal experience re:racism is different than yours. I don’t wish to undermine another race’s experience in Japan.
Much to the contrary, after having read these kind of things for years and backed by own experience of living in Japan for years — I’m certain the only anti-white racism that exists is of the “10%” variety. ie: non-systemic one-off cases and isolated incidents.
Microagressions are just the latest attempt to make trivial societal offenses into “racism”. It’s a joke. Look, there’s assholes wherever you go — people are dicks to eachother and get on eachother’s nerves for reasons other than racism. Moreover, most of these “microagressions” referenced are all in the mind of the offended. I mean, really? Somebody trying to start a friendly conversation with small talk (language,chopsticks,croissants) is racism ? Give me a break.
They don’t need to combat imaginary racism online in a language nobody but themselves read — they need therapy like CBT. That’s not supposed to be a knock either. I truly believe CBT would help a lot of these people resolve issues and live fuller lives in Japan.
Another part I’ve long suspected is the personality of culture. America (and to a lesser extent, Europe) is a very extroverted culture. Introversion is practically seen as a social disease. People fear the awkward moment more than their own death. I’m a hardcore introvert (thus why I think before I speak) with 2 extrovert parents and another intro sibling — our parents often tell us kids that they can’t comprehend our “rules”. That we have some kind of unspoken language between the 2 of us that they don’t comprehend. Well, let me say, I felt comfortable in Japanese society the second I stepped off the boat. It is a society for introverts, by introverts.
And I tend to find most people who agree there’s no racism in Japan are fellow introverts. Whereas, almost all the whiners are extroverts (thus why you all have blogs to tell the world about the horror of living in an introverted country).
So I’d like to ask you — how much do you think you’re being discriminated against for your race? And how much do you think you’re being discriminated against because you’re loud, obnoxious, and generally tiresome to introverts in a country where the introverts have the power? In other words, YOU are now the social disease in Japan. And we let you know it in our introverted ways. Such as turning our back on you, moving to another (quieter) part of a subway car, or engaging in scripted meaningless smalltalk about the use of chopsticks, or just generally wishing your narcissistic noisy selves would go away.
Just think about it.
It seems to me your “hate” of Debito has left you a bit unhinged. Because in your comment you seem to be suggesting that the only racism in Japan is coming from people like Debito…I won’t defend him and say that none of his views are racist. I think many people are afflicted, often without being conscious of it. Hell, I wrote a book about it when I recognized my own. (Hence, the title) I address it. That’s what we do here at loco in Yokohama. We point the finger in the direction it needs to be pointed even if it’s at the man in the mirror! But, if you are one of those people who feel the finger should always be pointed at people like Debito then like I said in Part 2, you’re barking up the wrong blog! We’re way past that in these parts….Sorry, go take a hard look in the mirror, and reread your comments…see if you can’t find your own biases in there. If you search earnestly I believe you will…I had no problem doing so!
And I case you missed the point of this series…it’s not about Japanese racism. It’s mostly about the attitudes I see coming from, for the most part, members of what you refer to as the “master race.” in other words we’re on the same page, in some respects, on that notion. Which also lead me to believe that your animosity for Debito blinds you a bit. You should check that! On the real because you seem to be a pretty insightful person, capable of “seeing” things and not just looking at them. That’s an admirable quality.
I used to let my hate of Japanese behavior blind me to certain things. I won’t say I have recovered completely but I am on the mend. I’m not introverted but I am introspective, which I think is the more useful of the two, as far as conflict resolution is concerned.
“Because in your comment you seem to be suggesting that the only racism in Japan is coming from people like Debito”
I don’t agree with that statement at all. There’s quite a bit of racism in Japan, unfortunately the English-language crowd isn’t interested in the real issues facing other Asians or Brazilians.
They’re much more interested in perpetuating their persecution complex and attacking Japan over nonsense. I believe the only systemic racism between Japanese and Caucasian Westerners is from people of debito’s ilk.
And debito is a racist. He very much so buys into the nihonjinron — he just uses it to fuel his anti-Japanese sentiment, as opposed to the rightwingers that use it to fuel their form of racism.
“Which also lead me to believe that your animosity for Debito blinds you a bit”
I have no sympathy nor need for habitual liars. Credibility is important, and your friend has none. The only difference between him and Paul Watson is that the latter has been much more successful at manipulating the media.
“We’re way past that in these parts”
So in other words, “shut up and take your relevant criticism elsewhere”…. hey, you don’t have to respond to my comments. But asking me to perjure myself for the convenience of your agenda isn’t likely to be a very effective tact either.
At the very least you’re not censoring people for disagreeing with you (yet, it seems to be something all of the “Japanese hate Americans” crowd eventually get around to doing in order to save face.)
“if you can’t find your own biases in there”
Actually, I’ve already laid my own biases out. I found it odd that you entirely skipped over that part. Have you given any thought at all to the idea that all these extroverted Americans aren’t being racially discriminated against — but rather your personality types just don’t mesh and you never learned coping mechanisms because you’re extroverts raised in an extrovert society?
Where do you think the half-truth about foreigners not being able to adjust to Japanese society comes from? And the reason every other extrovert American feels the need to “fix” Japanese to be… more extroverted?
Consider… Japanese who go overseas and do well, are generally extroverts. The gold medal swimmer, Honda Keisuke, students and faculty I’ve met at US universities. It’s not a fast rule, but it seems that Japanese who are extroverted and go to America find it very easy to adjust; and many of them even find they prefer it (and rave about how great it is compared to Japan). On the reverse, introverted Japanese tend to struggle quite a bit when they go overseas to extroverted societies. Because they’re introverts raised in an introverted society they never developed the skills to cope in an extroverted environment.
The same trend is seen with Americans. Except now it’s the extroverts struggling. And rather than doing a little self-reflection, you make blogs and blame others (that’s what extroverts do) and tell the world how horrible Japan is.
They use negative stereotypes about how “cloistered”, “untrusting”, “seclusive”, “impenetrable”, etc. that are really just reflections of what makes perfect sense to an introvert. Just like I characterize what makes good sense to you as loud, obnoxious, narcissistic, and generally tiresome. You’d probably characterize yourselves as “friendly and outgoing”; and that might be the accepted viewpoint other Americans and extroverts would take in. But in Japan, that’s no longer the case — you *are* tiresome, obnoxious, and annoying according to Japanese societal norms (and introverts in general).
If you can’t learn the coping mechanisms to work with a society that doesn’t coddle your extroversion, I suggest you find a society that is extroverted. Some of us quite like having an introverted society accessible to us. And you’re likely to meet resistance to “fix Japanese society” for that very reason — it doesn’t need fixing.
You can say this series isn’t about racism in Japan, but about why foreigners argue. But you can’t really discuss one without the other.
Here I’ve given you a silver bullet to contemplate that sums up both.
Westerners argue because they perceived Japan radically different from eachother based on their personality type and preferences. What you did on the subway may be acceptable in America, because society has decided it is — but it’s quite unacceptable in Japan. Of course you can’t comprehend that fact. You defend it as perfectly reasonable because not only do you fail to step outside your preconceived notion of social norms, but you’ve been raised to believe extroversion is the norm. It isn’t. Neither is introversion necessarily; but as far as Japanese society is concerned — it is.
You clearly struggle with the concept of kankeinai — you have nothing to do with that person, and thus no legitimate reason to accost them. And yes, saying “hello” to somebody for the sole reason of being an obnoxious extrovert is accosting somebody. No doubt that seems totally alien to you, and probably unreasonable, but you’re in an introverted world in Japan and the rules are different. Learn to deal with it or go home.
PS If you can’t tell, I take quite a bit of joy out of how much you guys struggle to cope in Japan. It’s like watching a spoiled bully get their comeuppance.
Whatever yo. You have the right to think why you want. But like I said we’re way past that in these parts and your straw man arguments (referring to articles from 3 years amigo referring to events that took 3 years before that) are just boring.
Peace
Are they really that boring? Because 6 years later, you’re still tooting the same horn. Doesn’t seem like it’s that boring to you; unless somebody offers an alternative explanation that doesn’t fit your agenda.
I think most of us have a varying amount of racism within us and unleash it in various ways, some conscious, some unconscious, some aggressively and yes some microaggressively. Many whites Japanese and blacks here are guilty of this. I think it’s important to acknowledge these on a personal level if possible. I try to.
You make some interesting points but I don’t want to stray too far away from the point of this series which is that infighting and finger pointing is not going to solve anything.
You seem to be deadest on attacking people who decry racism in others without acknowledging their own. It’s a good fight. But I ain’t your opponent. That’s my point. I know I have racist tendencies and I try to address them rather than focus primarily on the racism I am a target of, from individuals here of different nations, including whites. Maybe there is a connection between the racism I face and the racism I unleash…
If we can’t find a way to discuss these things without attacking one another or chewing each others ears off then we’re all fucked.
Denying and / or defending its existence is counterproductive…you’ve gotta agree.
I know there are idiots here who would call anything racism, who will never acknowledge their own contribution to the problems they face. I’m not one of them.
Black people do perpetuate some of the stereotypes that abound. So do whites and so do Asians. So be it. But that’s the point and the danger with stereotyping, right? That people who don’t behave as such get labeled and treated according to the stereotype. Do these people have a grievance? Maybe. Maybe not. Ideally people would deal with each others as individuals and as humans.
Maybe we’ll never get there. But that is the goal right? Its mine.
If I were to make a blog in Japanese that’s all it would say because that’s all I have to say to the people of any color who would marginalize me.
Loco in Yokohama is just a blog about my life here, the stuff i see and Do and think. Not a forum for Japanese bashing.
e
This is it, for me. In a nutshell.
「
I advocate for an additional option where foreigners concerned about our relationship with the Japanese in their home land, can join an adult discussion about the matter with english speaking Japanese (at first it should start with this kind of Japanase) and slowly improve things.
」
Stuff like this boggles the mind.
I find it most amusing how the imaginary racist crusaders are so desperate to keep the conversation in the English speaking realm.
Just goes to show that most of this perceived “racism” is more likely a case of Americans and Europeans believing they should be the “master race” in every country.
There ought to be a blog for that but actually this series is not to address racism in Japan. It is to address the infighting among foreigners in Japan, particularly westerners. I do not write in Japanese well, unfortunately…but i do converse with people here regularly, in English and Japanese. Gotta count for something (-;
@Loco: don’t worry I don’t want to pester you again with the issue just explaining myself a little better.
kujirakira’s comment “just goes to show” there is no limit to misunderstanding (or maybe to people that won’t read the whole post since I wasn’t trying to limit the discussion “to the english speaking realm” at all, it was just for starters. And finding Japanese people that can speak Swahili is kind of hard…).
Since there is a good level of “eye to eye” communication on the streets, which (as Loco said) DOES good when it happens, I suggested,in order to accelerate the “trust-acquiring” process, to extend such good communication to the net, where at the moment there seem to be just foreigners talking to other foreigners on this issue, thus (unwantedly maybe) excluding the Japanese from the discussion. Thus, the sole purpose of my proposal was about being inclusive (on the net too) as opposed to exclusive.
I’ll just expand a little on the “english speaking” suggestion:
The fact I suggested it should “START” with “english speaking” Japanese people (such as some of my friends, some of Loco’s friends, girls like Hiroko which stidied abroad or Alyse’s Husband) it’s just because it’s the most logical way to “begin” such a thing, you cannot put people that can’t communicate in the same language (and has 100% NO common grounds to start the discussion from), in a discussion board about mutual understanding, as it wouldn’t make any sense.
Foreigners living in Japan and Japanaese which have some understanind of foreign people (such as the examples above) are a good place to start and it has to “start” somewhere (but certainly NOT end there).
Eventually the same group, which through friendly discussions has reached a higher level of understanding (as in: foreigners will know more about the Japanese and the Japanese will know more about foreigners, thus killing some of the current ignorance on both sides) can switch to Japanese and expand the audience, finally including the larger crowd that only speaks Japanese.
Insistence on English (initially at least) comes from the fact it’s the language taught as a second language in every school in the world, and thus it’s easier to find people that learned it. Insistance on eventually moving to japanese it’s quite logical I presume, many Japanese don’t speak other languages and since we are concerned about foreigners living in THEIR HomeLand, the logical next step to reach them all, would be to switch to Japanese.
@Loco
Of course, not here not now, I got that 🙂
For starters Dave, I read your entire post the first time. Because I didn’t quote the entire thing doesn’t mean I didn’t read it.
“thus (unwantedly maybe) excluding the Japanese from the discussion”
The effect isn’t unwanted at all. In fact, it’s a necessity to keep this meme going. Nothing could discredit your complaints more than airing them in your broken Japanese — and then, no doubt as I’ve seen happen elsewhere, mocking some people’s ESL for bonus points.
This entire topic reeks of a certain mentality amongst Americans that I find distasteful. It’s also not a mistake that the people insisting they’re discriminated against by “microagressions” (pfffft) have little to no Japanese language skill.
Here’s my suggestion — unless you have grievous examples of racism (internment camps, segregation, etc.) in Japan, don’t even bother writing about the topic unless you can do it in Japanese.
If there aren’t grievous examples, then your time would be much better spent learning the language first. To say nothing of the fact that you’re in no position to claim psychic properties over your imagined aggressors.
Nice blog and all that but I think you`re getting this “microagressionsm” business all twisted.
I`m blue-eyed, blond (when I had hair…) and from the States. I teach p/t at J-universities and have been doing so for over 15 years.
In other words I`m your basic gaijin house knee-grow.
Now, as long as the money continues to roll my way I really don`t give a fuck how many times I am asked if I can use chopsticks. In my younger days the J-ladies treated me right and today I earn a very good living in a cushy job so what the fuck.
What else do you want?
To each his own…
Money and booty can’t buy my self-respect…well, at least not at these rates (-; Throw Beyonce in the mix and I might strike a comprimise lol
Not at these rates? Yet, you stay for years after it`s apparent what the score is.
I`ve lived in Tokyo for 25 years and never understood why some (especially those without family responsibilities) waste their life bitching. Personally I’ve got no major anger issues with Japan. Japan is what it and for me without the profitable teaching gigs I’m gone. (Too much booze, chasing broads and the ensuing drama is usually a young man`s game.)
Now it`s obvious we`re both second-class residents although I`ll be the first to admit having blue-eyes and being White does has its advantages in the gaijin pecking order.
Still at the end of the day you either learn to take the pleasure with the bullshit or risk of becoming another bitter gaijin wasting away in Japan.
Amen Ken! I too take the pleasure with the bullshit! Just like I did back in NY. There are other ways to enjoy your life in Japan without tossing your self-respect aside.
Like death and taxes, there’s no escaping the bullshit… Same shit, different odor! Opportunities exists everywhere if you have the nose to find them, and can bear the awful stench that invades it from time to time. No pain, no gain. Thanks for the advice, though.
I’m not sure what you mean by “not tossing your self-respect aside” to enjoy life in Japan.
Do you feel that because the Japanese often refuse to sit next to you on the train you should say something to the person who passes the empty seat to maintain your dignity?
I never say anything to the people…
I think self respect it’s in what I say to myself, how I respond. I could say something like “well, who gives a fuck what these people think? I know my value, even if they can’t or won’t recognize it. I know my thoughts and feelings are valid despite their efforts (consciously or unconsciously) to invalidate them… You know? If I were to cease to resepct myself, I might conclude that I am not worthy of being sat nect to. That somehow I am to blame. That perhaps they sense somethng in me that is repellent… That if I did more to make myself into the kind of person they wouldn’t think twice about sitting next to, I stood to gain, whatever that might be… and indeed my experience here would be much more “fun” because I would have effectively shut down the part of me that keeps me balanced… and that would be a shame, cuz I’m a pretty incredible person as is. To me, self respect means honoring my values and principles before anyone and anything else. It means trusting myself to say and do only what feels true and honoring. It means listening to and respecting that precious little voice inside when it feels a little fearful, reluctant or unsettled; trusting that there is a legitimate reason for me to be feeling that way and if I just get quiet and listen I’ll figure out what it is that isn’t feeling good and also, what it is that I need to do to rectify the situation and continue honoring myself. To NOT let others dictate what I do and how I feel!
You know, stuff like that! It’s a daily battle, but a worthwhile one.
Kurajira, your psychic abilities must be failing as well these days, I was the victim and/or direct witness of real racism episodes in Japan, my mother language is not English, I’am not American, I speak and write Japanese from even before coming here (JLPT Level 2 taken in my home country, Level 1 coming next), and on the “Microaggressions”, which I discussed with Loco aplenty, I (whom intervened here with a stance on the matter not to dissimilar to yours) had to realize that the ones he has been a victim of, are not of the “chopstick” or “nihongo ga jozu” nature (by the way, to me these ones are to be considered simple small talk, and are no “aggression” at all, my opinion of course) and since I wasn’t a victim of his kind of microaggressions, I am in no position to lecture him, and i gotta hunch, you aren’t either.
So I apologize for being to hasty in your regard, but I believe we better switch off our faulty crystal balls now (and stop with the assumptions…) shall we? 😉
I’m a Italian/Japanese “hafu” woman over 40 that spent more than the first half of her life in Italy, even though my first spoken language was Kansai-ben.
So what does that make me? I’m still and always will be a “gaijin” here. But I can tell you I am and always will be a “gaijin” in Italy as well. (“gaijin” in its litteral meaning of “outside person”).
I agree that there is micro-racism and not so micro-racism in Japan. Been there, suffered that, unawarely dished out some myself. But you know what? Same thing back in Italy (and perhaps a little bit meaner). Or anywhere else I have been.
Growing up, I struggled with the issue of not belonging, but now, at the end of the day, to me, it does not sum up to much: hurts feelings yes, but nothing I cannot overcome with a good night of sleep.
I agree with you it is important to talk about it, rise awareness and let “unaware” racist know when they act as such, and it is my experience that at a personal level, most Japanese are simply ignorant and, as any human, afraid of the “different”. I just do not agree with the militant foreigners that want to make it into a battling campaign.
Your blog (your last 4 entries is all I’ve read so far) is the best articulated and balanced writing I read on the matter, trying to find a solution rather than trying to inflame spirits. And for that I think you are going in the right direction as it takes reaching critical mass to change stereotypes, attitudes and misconceptions.
Personally, I’m a socially introvert person and prefer to fight my battles on a personal level rather than a public one. And that is my contribution to the critical mass.
Hopefully we will meet in the middle ^_^
I guess being a foreigner here we all experience some level racism, some subtle, some not so subtle. And some of us get it worse than others. Its always interesting to see the different responses and discuss the matter though. One thing for sure though, this situation seem as if it will never change. If it does, then it ain’t gonna be anytime soon.
I did a brief write up on it here on my blog.
http://www.davecollyjap.blogspot.jp/2012/05/one-love-jamaica-festival-in-tokyo-2012.html?m=1
sup Loco i just wanted to add my piece…
I hope this is not too disjointed, but my bad if it is..
I am sure you’re familiar with the saying “all civilization are destroyed from within”. Cause at times i feel thats whats happening…
Chris rock told a joke one time, he said the most racist people are old black men. The funny part to me is when he said that old black men “hate all white people”, “dey don’t got no time to separate them into Jews, Italian, Irish ect.”
My point i am saying is that when you on the train or walking or whatever, people ain’t gonna pause and assess the situation, to make matters worst the images they see about us before the meet us reinforces negative stereotypes.
I watched a Japanese movie called “love exposure”. There was only one black guy in the film and he was there for less that 1 minute, out of a coot damn 4 hour movie Loco, a 4 freaking hour long movie..
just guess what role he had Loco, just you guess!!!.
For 1 i was suprised to see a black guy in the film and for 2 i was like cooot damn, did he really have to say yes to the role, did he not think how others would be affect. I mean he did have a choice right??!!
A program i saw once said that because the image of white people are so varied they can portray any role on t.v. but because we are stereotyped whatever roles people see of us becomes that image.
This ties into a Chinese blog i read, they guy said that a lady was in the airport holding up a sign saying don’t marry foreigners cause one had married her, robbed her and cheated on her in the process. The white guy said now he see how African Americans must feel like in American, all get blamed for a few.
I use to be like you in someways Loco, it was ingrained in me by an uncle in NYC just so you know…. “don’t walk too close behind them, they might think you wanna rob then”, “don’t drink your soda in the paper bag cops might think it’s beer and bother you” he would say. Then one day it hit me Loco, they gonna think whatever the hell they wanna think, so F*** em all. It’s not that it don’t matter to me, but i just stop letting it bother me and run my life like it use to.
What i do now is i just do me. As you alluded to in a comment, when one black person mess up does it set it back for all the rest. Sadly i think the answer is yes. Just like when a cop mess up it sets things back for all cops in terms of how we view them……All i do now is do me Loco, and let the rest take care of itself…long as i don’t hurt or bother nobody i let them feel how they wanna feel and do how they wanna do
hopefully you understood what i wrote..
peace man……..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFA8J6nllW8
last thing i forgot to add..
if you have the time check this video out..
It’s called Arican Men Hollywood stereotypes…
It’s on youtube and it’s from an African organization {i believe}
that’s trying to end stereotypes…
I won’t spoil the end for you but it’s reaally kool and it’s just 2minutes 40seconds long..
Please let me know your thoughts on it Loco..
I don`t think Hollywood has help foster a negative image of young black male. Parts of Oakland for example have been out of control for years now and it has little to do with Hollywood. I mean if one insists on blaming entertainment industry try the glorification of gangsta rap instead. (Although who doesn`t love the Geto Boys.)
Anyway I grew up in an urban city where black teens in the back of the bus with their feet up on the seats and playing music playing was a daily occurrence. Where robberies caused bus drivers to stop carrying change. Where selling soda at baseball games could be dangerous unless you were always aware of your surrounding because of the muggings within the stadium. Where going to see a black exploitation flick could get you a beat down by members of the audience if you weren`t careful.
Too bad Obama never addressed the serious issues facing many inner city Black youths like Bill Cosby tried.
Hey ken,
Yeah it’s effed up. But you’re describing the symptoms and results without mentioning the problems: poor or miseducation in dilapidated poorly funded schools, disenfranchisement, injustice, inequality, a legacy of persecution, rape, malignment, and the resulting social and mental illness…I could go on, but you get it.
Sure a few escaped the clutches of this twisted legacy, but most can’t, and not for lack of trying or desire.
Anyway the images out of Hollywood are generally of the symptoms of the illness. Rarely do they address the ills that produced it, at least not in a way as to inform the viewer of why. Leaving the viewer to often conclude that the people perpetrating these byproducts of 400+ years of being on the business end of racism (both in africa and in the americas) are “naturally” inclined to do so.
One of the privaleges of the privileged is to judge the underprivileged without acknowledging how acquisition of their privileges played a significant role.
This debate always depresses me.
Like when I hear shortsighted judgmental people blaming rape on rape victims, or blaming HIV on gay men and heroin addicts Haitians and Africans.
Arrrrrgh.
hey Ken,
I hope you are smart enough to understand this.
Cause your comments are leading me to believe otherwise.
It’s hard to stop a train when it starts moving. Loco is trying to do his part the only way he know how.
He inherited something that he had no choice in the building of, just like you had no choice in the matter of whatever race you were born as, as well as your disposition in live and the positives and the negatives that it brings….
We are the sum of multiple things.
No one occurrence brought you to where you are in life now.
So nobody here is saying Hollywood shares the sole blame.
As i stated the blacks that choose those role had to know what
they were perpetuating.
Just thank God for the life you have, cause you didn’t have as much
choice in choosing it as you make think you had.
You could have came into existence as a different race, a plant, an animal or even an inanimate object. So just change your little circle in your own way as Loco is trying to do in his own way.
No city has put in more effort or spent as much money (given its` size) as San Francisco to help improve test scores and after 40 years of millions upon millions of dollar and classrom tinkering much of the Black community scores are still abysmal.
The time has come and gone for excuses. Either a Malcolm X type figure arrives to save the day or you can forget it. The Hispanic or Asian communities haven`t much sympathy and White guilt has run its course.
AH! THERE you are!
OK, well, like I said, this debate is depressing so I will nip it in the bud here.
But, if I ever write a post about the uselessness of white guilt, I’ll be sure to drop you a line…
It depresses me as well. White liberal policies might have meant well with regards to helping inner city Black communities but they failed miserably just the same.
one last chime in Loco,
don’t let anything anyone say depress you…
For we are all products of our experiences. Ken’s stance should not surprise you.
For example:
Change his gender and see how different his experience would be.
Change just his height a bit taller or a bit shorter in either direction and watch how much of his life change.
Keep him the same built, disposition ect. but change his race and watch how vigorously he would fight for the other side presumably.
Thanks for making my point Ken44 with the millions of dollars and Malcom X example. Know you have an idea of how difficult it will be to stop that moving train. For underestimating your intelligence i apologize.
I think we can all agree on this: Right or wrong there just isn`t a lot of sympathy these days be it within the White, Asian or Hispanic communities for the failing inner city Black population.
Either those within these Black comminutes begin to make the necessary changes or my guess is you can much forget it. The money`s running (if not already run) out, government employment is shrinking and with political focus turned toward a growing Hispanic population expect the depressed inner-city Black communities to be on their own.
Now I don`t want to bum anyone out either and you can find many middle-class Blacks communities in the South (Atlanta is a good example) so obviously all is not lost.
And this is connected to why gaijin clash how?? Stop being a jerk, Ken. I think we can all agree You’ve effectively derailed the discussion. Applaud yourself. Done? Good. Next time I need a last word aficionado to remind me that sympathy and guilt are not solutions to problems anywhere including black communities I will drop you an email. I promise.
And with that said, You’re dismissed.
O.k. you`re right this has little to do with gaijin fighting amongst themselves in Japan.
So here`s my take on why they (gaijin teachers that is…) clash:
It`s usually envy driven esp. regarding teaching gigs. There`s nothing some gaijins hates more than seeing other gaijins doing better or getting over on something they aren`t.
The first five years it (the envey) is usally about who is dating the hottest J-lady or who speak Japanese the best but as the years roll by it usually turns to money.
Ps. the whole issue of race is a non-starter as a vast majority of English teachers seem to be white. Microaggressions? Hell, Japan is one big microaggression but it’s a trade off where you weigh the negatives with the positive and make you choice to stay or not. I’ve got a connection in the Middle East for teaching assignments and could probably score a nice contract but no… I don’t want to live in that part of the world.
To be sure your comments on race in Japan are quite valid and I find it laugable that some Whites here either refuse or can’t see they usually sit toward the top of the gaijin pecking order. However, what I don’t undersand is why you (or anyone else) elect to stay in a country where you’re often not comfortable. Life’s too short.
Pss: I checked out the opening pages of your book on-line and will say the quality of your writing is very good. Did you attempt to get this book professionally published?
This is probably off topic but let me toss it into mix. In the States for example I found it necessary to be careful around small groups of Black teenagers while waiting for or riding on public transportation. Here in Tokyo I help coordinate home stays in the Northern California area for Japanese college students and the first thing I focus is on safety which means avoiding areas with a high black population such as Oakland and Richmond.
Is my thinking racist? Perhaps but I put the safety of the students before political correctness. It`s too bad the author of this blog as well as other Non-Whites face additional hassles living in Japan but most of us regardless of racial makeup weren’t invited here anyway. I’ve already decided to return to the States next year.
Was that a rhetorical question?
Imo, the issue of gaijin vs. gaijin over racial discrimination is somewhat exaggerated. Sure, it exits but either you are Japanese or you are not is how many gaijin friends see things and there isn’t much arguing. I agree that envy as Ken44 points out does plays a role in why English teachers might clash although it might be more like backstabbing. Nationality and political policies also seem to cause gaijins to argue endlessly.
Tangent topic regarding troubles within major inner city African-Americans communities—I think Jesse Jackson summed it up when he said, “There is nothing more painful to me … than to walk down the street and hear footsteps and start thinking about robbery, then look around and see somebody white and feel relieved.”
It’s always “us and them”. In pretty much any country or any culture. We seem to need to know who the “us” and “them” are. The easiest way to do that is to be able to look at someone to know who “them” are because “them” don’t look like “us”. If you can’t do that then you split hairs and come up with something else. A feature or a belief system. It’s a weakness of character that if not realized leads to discrimination.
Them-isms and opportunities to discriminate have been in Japan long before WWII and long before whites had any influence. Take the Ryukyu and the Ainu for example. Find out the history of how these groups were marginalized and discriminated against and in some cases still are today.
One particular “funny” thing that I never understood was the Japanese pre-occupation with icky hairy people from “over there”. Apparently during particularly bad times for the Ainu, women were taken aside by officials and checked for their hairiness (by looking down their shirts) to identify them as Ainu and not Japanese.
Here is an article from the New York Times to offer a transcontinental finger pointing opportunity from the US to Japan.
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/20/international/asia/20okinawa.html
This article talks about several topics concerning WWII and how the Japanese military treated the Okinawans, in one case making it illegal to speak Okinawan, punishable by death, and another by giving Okinawans grenades to kill themselves in some cases by fear and others by force.
I’m not saying any of “us and them” is OK and I’m not implying that “it’s just the way it is” and nothing should be said or done about it. I am saying that discrimination was in Japan long before white people. I know that you can only speak from your own experiences but going down the road of blaming one race for racism in another country is flawed when you consider that discrimination of many kinds occurred well before any said influence occurred. In a little way, and maybe I’m excusing you for it ’cause I’m white so that must be it, this particular point of view of yours is racist.
Hey Loco,
I am a recent college graduate who has decided (because I don’t have any real obligations at the moment!) to spend an extended period of time in Japan! Im originally from Chicago.
I would have to say I am some one who started off as a huge Japanophile. Really romanticizing their culture, trying to understand and rationalize any decision or opinion people have made or had. Robbing them of their humanity, I really think now. Its the human condition to be wrong and the make mistakes, and I think when people defend a culture harboring racist cues and microagressions (I like this word! That Japan Times article was super enlightening!), it stems from ignorance and really highlights the fact that they have a perfectionist snap shot of this place, but not a handle on reality. Like when you have a crush on some one for a long time, then when you date, you figure out that this person probably has weird habits, gross habits, or can actually make mistakes.
And in my opinion, because i still really love Japan, these are the kind of things i don’t want to turn a blind eye to. Since i love this place, I want to say: Hey! You seemed perfect, and you’re not, but thats okay, because I’m definitely not either, and we can work on this!
But more importantly, just wanted to say, read all four parts of your article in one sitting, and it was incredibly interesting. I really enjoyed it, and while I’m here, Im really going to do my best to think about my feelings, interactions and what implications there are! Thanks!
You’re quite welcome, and thanks for the shout!
Your blog really helped me back then, thanks for all the hard work you have put in to make Japan a better place. I am white and have never understood the denialism. Back then, I came up with three possibilities:
1. These mostly college educated whites (and I think most are college educated) have been pushed hard to respect other cultures. And they do, so much so that they choose to live in another culture. They see you as being intolerant of intolerance, and that violates their norms of cultural relevance that they were taught in school.
2, They are living in a dream world and simply do not notice it, which is utterly baffling, but may be true for some.
3. What you said about investment may be true for the lifer’s group. Even though we are all in the same gang, how can you admit the truth, when it is so hard to admit. You only get one chance at life, and many of these people will be worse off because they chose to stake a claim here. That sounds harsh even for me to write, but it could be true for some. How could they admit it?
I just wish I had the word “microaggressions” to use back then, it would have been a powerful weapon, perfectly summarizes it…XO
XO!! long time no see! Thank you so much for your kind words? What did you think of the book?
Yeah, Micro Aggression is a heck of a word!
I think your theories are well worth discussing….in fact, hold tight! (-;