The view from the East
September 30th, 2006 by Wil Robinson
One of my teaching duties working part-time at an English school in Japan includes moderating a “voice lounge,†a freestyle conversation room that allows students to practice real speaking skills. As a grammatical and structural moderator, I typically introduce a game and try to remain relatively silent while the students do the talking.
But since the other teachers at this particular branch are Australian, British or Canadian, I serve as the only American link for many of these students. Coming from a culture that is enmeshed with American influence, most Japanese are excited and curious about anything American. They fire off questions about any number of subjects, of which I am happy to oblige with sincere answers.
Yet their serious questions about pertinent issues astound and sometimes baffle me. Here are just some of their questions or comments (broken English included) that have come across:
Who are the people that bomb doctors who do abortions?
If one-third of America is against George Bush, why can’t you change enough people’s minds to vote for someone else?
Why has American nationalism gotten so much worse since the World Trade Center?
I think that America is in the same position now that Japan was in the 1930s.
Why is gasoline so cheap in America?
Why do you pay to heat water that you’re not using? (hot water heaters)
Do you learn about Hiroshima and Nagasaki in school?
These are unprovoked discussions – and leave me with the dilemma of how to answer or respond. They are not views of left-wing political activists, but of office workers, housewives, salesmen and farmers.
Japan has a much different historical narrative than the U.S. There are elementary schools with murals depicting the peace statue erected in Nagasaki at the site of the atom bomb explosion where hundreds of thousands died. There are stories in textbooks about children’s hair falling out and dying in Hiroshima.
When asked over dinner by an older gentleman if I “learned about Hiroshima and Nagasaki in school,†I responded with the truth: It is mentioned as a hard decision the U.S. made as the most “humanitarian†way to end World War II, but little about the physical effects of the bombs are made public. I was not aware that so many horrifying photos of the devastation and human cost existed until I visited the memorial museum in Nagasaki.
“But they tell you to ‘Remember Pearl Harbor’,†he said.
What could I say? It’s true – many Americans believe the 2,403 personnel killed at a military installation in a U.S. territory justified the murder of more than 300,000 Japanese civilians.
And when people ask about President Bush and the politics of imperialism, how can I respond to people who aren’t mired in religious-nationalist propaganda?
Do I try to convince them that Bush was “chosen by God†to lead America in the fight for “freedom and democracy†for the world (though apparently only in oil-rich countries) and that Islam is a violent religion?
Do I tell them that things are really going well in Iraq, that the violence there is “necessary†and that “freedom’s untidy?†Do I insist that Iraq’s ignorance of one U.N. Security Council resolution justified an invasion and occupation, while it is acceptable for Israel to ignore dozens?
Do I tell them that Saddam Hussein, Mahmoud Ahmedinejad, Hugo Chavez, Bashar Assad, Mullah Omar, and any member of Hezbollah or Hamas are the next Adolf Hitler, while despots like Pervez Musharaff, Hosni Mubarak, Ehud Olmert, and the Saudi royal family are not?
Or do I change the subject to something more benign, and ask them if they’ve seen the photos of Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ new baby?
Rather than avoid serious questions and the efforts made to understand the world around them, I answer them honestly and truthfully.
I tell them that America is divided – that many do not agree with the direction the country is headed; that many oppose the current administration. I tell them there are many devoted Americans that are fighting for a more equitable, just and peaceful world.
I tell them that there are many different religions free to worship as they choose, and that not all Christians are apocalyptic evangelicals anticipating the imminent return of Christ once they convert or kill any non-believers.
I tell them that international communication – similar to my discussions with them – will increase global understanding and tolerance.
And sometimes I lie, and tell them “soon things will change.â€
Japan War on Terror Iraq Bush Christianity Islam
This may be one of the best things I’ve read in a long time. What we look like to the rest of the world truly is eye-opening.
Well, they need to hear the plain truth:
The bombers of abortion clinics are misguided but so are the abortionists.
The polls suggest more than one third are against Bush policies but Bush is not overturned because the polling is faulty.
To characterise American nationalism as being ‘worse’ is a value judgement. Americans are merely waking up to the fact they need to defend themselves.
Japan in the 30’s was being dominated by militarists bent on conquest. We are not.
Gasoline is cheaper in America because gasoline taxes imposed by the government is lower than in other countries.
Because some prefer hot water heaters to forced air heaters.
We definitely learn about Hiroshima and Nagasaki. We learn that many more people on both sides would have died if a land invasion was necessary. We also learn that a majority of Japan’s Christians lived in those cities.
Finally, the Japanese need to learn to be more introspective and more understanding of Americans. For, cultural sensitivity cuts both ways and Americans have done more than any other culture to reach out.
“I tell them that international communication – similar to my discussions with them – will increase global understanding and tolerance.”
That’s the most important thing to say, right there. Any answers we offer can only be made with the understanding that our own, personal views are going to shape them, and how they’re perceived by the questioner. And yet without this sort of dialogue, each of us is nothing more than the “Other,” no matter where we hail from.
This same communication, which increases understanding and tolerance, is also desperately needed within our own country. It’s something that America has been in short supply of for some time now.
When I lived in Germany, working for the U.S. Army there, we were told that each of us, as Americans, should consider ourselves “ambassadors,” representatives of our country and its culture and values. I took that to heart and had many conversations similar to the ones you are having now in Japan.
I find it heartening to know that there are people such as yourself who are, in their own ways and at a very personal level, still acting as good-will ambassadors throughout the world. Thanks for an excellent and thought-provoking post.
I never believed America even when I was 8 years old at Gulf war when Saddam invaded Kuwait and part of Saudi Arabia. For many people they were heroes but for me at that time when I only had to think about my toy I thought they were evil. Because I knew that they had supported Saddam initially.
But do you know what? Through my growing years I always have two ideas. I’ll tell you one, honestly I thought many times of saving America, not only for Americans but for the rest of the world. Yes I wanted the values of freedom and democracy to spread out all over the world. However, America supported dictatorships instead, all over the world!
I wish I had born before so I could save America. I’m afraid its too late now. I’m afraid to admit it that the America that the world deserves has gone forever.
Hi Wil
Yes it was true that Saddam did invaded north east of Saudi Arabia and mainly a small town called Al Khafjee (not sure about the spelling) and sent few long range rockets to the capital and to the west near Jeddah but no victims. I also remember that we the kids enjoyed more than six months vacation.
Thank you too.
I believe pollsters are clever rascals that can extract any result depending on how they frame the question. If we were to believe the polls, Bush would have been tarred and feathered and ridden out of town on a pole.
The very fact that Japanese avoid talking about their past indicates they are in denial. However, in recent times, there are indications that they are coming to grips with their past much in the wasy the Germans have. And, not a minute too soon. We need the Japanese to assume a responsible role in policing their area of influence.
I am glad to see Japanese militarism in the 30’s is recognized for what it was. But, to equate our foreign policy with that of the Japanese in those times begs a re-study of recent American history.
The “it’s all about oil” arguement is a nonstarter. For, oil is a global commodity having no flag attached. One barrel is the same as another and there is plenty available for a price. We have never invaded a country to ensure a supply of oil. To believe otherwise is to buy into the Western MSM propaganda line.
No, all life is precious. It’s just a shame that those witnessing for our Saviour Jesus the Christ were wiped out.
‘With us or against us’ is not a cultural statement or a statement of Christian believe. It is political statement to those that would harm us.
This world is a shithole because of the infuriating likes of Howard Larson.
Gee, thanks, Rob.
So, what else do you stand for?
Wil, yes it is true that the nineteenth century was an era of expansion in North America. However, the relationship with the “native” Americans was not entirely one sided. Most settlers would have happily lived along side the Indians. But, the Indians would have none of that. They fought the wars against the Europeans and they ultimately lost.
As for genocide, nothing could be further from the truth. You could cite Wounded Knee and I could site numerous massacres of New England settlers by the Indians. The Indians weren’t poor victims. They simply were outnumbered and outfought.
Now, they have joined with us to build this country into what it is today. Proud Americans, every one.
Oh, come on Wil. You know that’s not true. Read recent American history or current news. Go to the Indian web sites. Everyone except Russel Means has signed on.
BTW: No white guys were killed at Wounded Knee.
Oh, on being a racist: My best friend from University is Polish/Oneida and my nephew is Oglala Souix. And, I live in an International neighborhood and get along just fine. I may not know everything there is to know, but one thing I am not: Narrow minded.
ad hominem argument is not tolerated. Consider yourself banned.
[...] When even secular governments tell us that this clash of civilizations is a zero-sum game, we must ask where this “good versus evil†worldview comes from. When our government engages in a seemingly endless “war on terror†against largely Muslim nations, our own politicians are attacked and their loyalty questioned because they wish to be sworn in to office on a Holy Book other than the Bible, or a human life is deemed more valuable because it is Christian (see Howard Larson’s comment about Christians in Nagasaki and Hiroshima), we must reevaluate where and how these ideas originated. [...]