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Japan's dirty secret
So many people on these boards talk about the utopia that is Japan. No doubt, Japan has a lot going for it. I've spent enough time there, though, to see some real problems. Alcoholism, domestic violence ...
What bothers me the most is the amount of xenophobia, which is a polite way of saying racism. This website has some interesting examples of businesses that ban foreigners. (Fortunately, the tide is slowly starting to change.) Still... in my opinion it's no better than having a sign that says "Whites only."
What bothers me the most is the amount of xenophobia, which is a polite way of saying racism. This website has some interesting examples of businesses that ban foreigners. (Fortunately, the tide is slowly starting to change.) Still... in my opinion it's no better than having a sign that says "Whites only."
Comments
You know that if a country is 50 years behind us when it comes to race relations - that can't be a good thing.
Like I said, Japan has a whole lot going for it. I've always been treated with nothing but respect when I have been there. Nonetheless, it's something that I feel is ignored - and something that I desperately wish would change. Maybe it hits close to home because I've seen a group of Japanese people in Tokyo gang up and beat the cr*p out of a black guy (I believe Nigerian.) It was not a pretty sight. And yes... I saw the whole thing... there was no justification for the assault. The black guy was just walking down the street. A police officer was there and just looked the other way. It's something that I'll never forget.
To be sure... this was a rare and isolated incident. Nonetheless, it showed a dark underside of Japan.
(sorry that was a bit harsh, but I had a nice long post all written up all politely and what not and a forum hiccup or internet hiccup ended up deleting it, so I'm not happy that it got erased, but my post is what I was saying in the nice long polite one in a nutshell"
Japan is pretty bad when it comes to racism. The problem lies in how deep-rooted xenophobia is in Japanese society. For example, in Australia it's very difficult to lead a normal life without having to interact with other cultures (thus we learn things! And how to tolerate them!). In Japan (and many other countries) living a normal life can easily lead to having dramatically skewed and incorrect views of other cultures. It's not a problem exclusive to Japan - that doesn't make it any less (potentially) nasty.
- In America, we don't have "Whites Only" signs. There may be institutional racism that has the same effect... but those signs came down 50 years ago.
- Call me naive, but I don't think that the police in America would stand by idly if a bunch of white people started beating up a black person. (I am saying this as a general proposition.)
- I believe the person was Nigerian because that's what they guys beating him up were calling him. And give me a break, I'd be crazy to jump in. If the police officer didn't make a move, do you really think that I, as a tourist, should have done so? That's just absurd. I'm sure my 2 year old son, who I was walking down the street with, would have appreciated it. I guess I should have just left him in his stroller.
I'm just pointing out that as much as I love Japan, I am troubled by the racism that exits there. I'm not sure what's so controversial about being troubled by racism? Mitsukai, I'm actually kind of shocked that you would take offense to those feelings.
It would help a lot if you read carefully what I wrote.
In my original post I said that I "believed" he was Nigerian. I gave you the compelling evidence as to why I "believed" that - and yet you take issue with this. Apparently, there is no pleasing you. I never said that he was Nigerian, and yet you want to argue this point. You give me a headache.
If you want even more justification for my "belief", this incident took place in the Roppongi district (at about 7:00 am), which has a Nigerian community. (see this article.) I have seen this community first hand. I suspect you haven't been there - yet despite having no first hand knowledge of the incident or area, you are quick to pass judgment as to an entirely well grounded belief. We'll have to agree to disagree. I suspect that when you have children you will understand that my first and foremost concern was the protection of my child. You may disagree with my assessment of the situation, but that's the reaction any parent would have. Once again, it would be very helpful if you took the time to read carefully what I wrote.
Since when did I say that racism is Japan's biggest flaw? I said that, of the problems I have seen, it bothered me the most. However, I never suggested that it's Japan's biggest flaw. For all I know, their biggest flaw is something entirely different. I was just passing along my personal anecdotal observations.
Secondly, where did I ever say that racism is exclusive to Japan? It's frustrating to debate someone when they don't take the time to read. In fact, I specifically said that the USA has severe racial problems. Go back and read - you'll see where I said that.
Here is the bottom line... There is a ton of attention given to racial problems in America, South Africa and other countries. You rarely here about racism in Japan. That is why I chose the title of this thread. Japan is arguably one of the most xenophobic countries on the planet, yet little mention is made of this. Please forgive me if I did not title the thread: "Here are some thoughts I have about Japan, but really I don't have a right to have these thoughts, and probably what I am saying is totally wrong." When it comes to racism, I absolutely will judge others.
So... take a deep breath... allow others to have opinions... and take the time to read what I actually posted before firing back.
Oh and you suspect wrong, I have been to Roppongi ^_~ nice try though.
(I'll admit I fell into his bait, and I don't feel this warrants my time, or effort in posting in it anymore. I'm just tired of the whole soapbox routine, if you want to be ignorant fine, I will concede that you have that right)
Even though posting such signs is forbidden by law in America, I remember when less than ten years ago that Denny's got into hot water for its discriminatory practices against African Americans. I hear my roommate talk about the comments that people make about Muslims, and the stereotyping and bigotry against gays and lesbians I hear every day. The only difference is that in Japan there fewer explicit laws concerning the posting of such beliefs. Japan has a long way to go in regards to feminism and racial discrimination, but is is making progress. Americans must realize that they still need to make progress too.
*edit* I went back and read that story about the Nigerian...yikes. However, I still hold my point...here in New York, the cops get in trouble for beating up black guys for no reason too. What is wrong with people...aiyah.
I think the average US anime fan is fully aware that our own country has many, many problems, but it is easy to forget in our fandom fever that the country we love so much is in no way ideal.
In being a conscious consumer of media I think it’s important to understand the context of what you encounter. Media has a way of leaking into our brain if we aren’t aware of its possible negative messages. Yes, Japan has problems with racism. Yes, it’s sexist (don’t take it from me take it from the UN, their gender empowerment index rates Japan as something like 60th in world, and for context Korea is 68th, US 14th and Norway 1st). And yes, Japanese society has been much kinder to homosexuals than our own. We have problems; they have problems; that doesn’t mean we can’t try our best to be aware of both when consuming media from either country.
Not as tasty as vinegar and/or mustard, but tasty nonetheless.