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The AACP Newsletter |
| Asian American Curriculum Project, Inc. - Books for All Ages |
| Since 1970 | AsianAmericanBooks.com | June 2005 |
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An Editorial by Philip Chin |
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I'm continually amazed by the problems that people have that come through their lack of communication. How many relationships have ended because someone didn't say something when they should have or their words were misinterpreted? For want of a simple, "I love you," wars have been fought. That may not be much of an exaggeration as some people in failed or rocky relationships will agree. One of the fading memories of World War II was the Potsdam Declaration, drawn up by the Allies in 1945, that demanded the unconditional surrender of Japan. When questioned by reporters the Japanese Prime Minister replied with, "Mokusatsu." The Allies interpreted this as "unworthy of public notice," a complete rejection of their demand for surrender. In actual fact the Japanese word can also imply a lofty form of, "No comment." Prime Minister Suzuki was in fact a member of the pragmatist faction that wanted to surrender on whatever were the best terms that could be negotiated with the Allies. It is still a matter of fierce debate though whether or not the resulting use of nuclear weapons by the United States helped hasten the surrender of Japan. Perhaps an equal number of Japanese wanted to fight to the last Japanese man, woman, and child as those that wanted to surrender. Still, the debate adds the intriguing possibility that the whole nuclear issue and resulting deaths might have been avoided with better communication. In fighting the war against the terrorists we must learn to distinguish between those who are willing to compromise and negotiate with us and those who are so convinced that we are devils in the flesh that there is no possibility of talking with them. In a way, President Bush has been right in saying that they hate us for our freedom. But, it is also correct to agree with his critics that the United States has failed to recognize that our "freedoms" represent threats to traditional cultures and ultra conservative power structures. Did you know that one of the most popular TV shows on Saudi television is "Baywatch?" For those unfamiliar with the show it follows the adventures of various groups of lifeguards working in Southern California and Hawaii. The most notable features are scantily clad women displaying their endowments in seaside locales. Now what does this say that so many people in a country known for its conservatism, discrimination against women, and religious police enforcers are fans of an American show displaying all the excesses of the American beach lifestyle? It means that on some level we are communicating with even those Muslims whose traditional inclination is to oppose much of our culture and our government policies. But what kind of message are we sending them with such shows? Perhaps we are sending our own version of "mokusatsu" to the most conservative parts of the Muslim world; either a complete rejection or a "no comment." |
The face that America shows to the world is the face of Hollywood. You and I know as Americans that very few people live the lifestyles reflected through that distorted lens. For one thing most of us wish we were as rich or as good looking as everyone seems to be on the screen. Also, where else can you have shows set in San Francisco without a single Asian American being shown? This is the distorted lens by which the rest of the world creates their own pictures of us. Does that idea scare you yet? It should. So why do they hate us? We have the freedom to show things on television that reflect our fantasies, or more likely the fantasies of the white, male, Hollywood executives who control what we see on TV and the movie screens. As usual, mistaking fantasy for reality has real life consequences. In effect we've given countries around the world a big "no comment" when they ask who we really are as a people. Very little money is invested in public diplomacy by the United States when compared to our export of TV and movie fantasies to the rest of the world. Even worse is the fact that most Americans don't even have passports, thus showing little interest in exploring the world and letting foreigners get to know us as people like them. I had an interesting conversation with a Muslim merchant in Burma last year. He asked me, "Why do Americans hate us?" I explained that most Americans didn't waste a thought on hating Muslims. Ordinary Americans struggle to survive in our daily lives without wasting a thought about hating foreigners they've never met, the same as ordinary Burmese, also struggling with their own day to day lives. This was obviously a new thought for him and I knew I had an effect with my words from his subsequent comments and questions which were far less hostile. From American TV and movies one may gain the impression that we are always fighting or in fear of foreigners and Muslim. Is it any wonder then that many Muslims are convinced that ordinary Americans hate them or that any accusation leveled against America, no matter how bizarre or untrue, is believed? After all, aren't American movies and TV showing them the "truth" everyday even if that truth shows that no Asian Americans live in San Francisco? What we need is more communication on both sides. More Americans must get their passports, travel, and get to know the world and its people. More Muslims must stop believing that Hollywood reflects American reality and our views of the Muslim world. Isn't it about time that we as Americans stop responding with "mokusatsu" when the whole world, not just the Muslim world, wants to get to know us? |
The following books are discounted for subscribers to our newsletter. The discounts on these books end July 10, 2005. | |
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Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds
By Paula Yoo |
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Somebody's DaughterBy Marie Myung-Ok Lee2005, 264 pages, Hardback. Follow the story of Sarah Thorsen, an adopted Korean American, as she embarks on a quest to find her Korean birth mother and ends up discovering her own identity too. Sombebody's Daughter by Marie Myung-Ok Lee is a must read for foreign adoptees, their parents, and anyone interested in a good page-turner. This book is a real tear jerker so be warned!
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Gasa-Gasa GirlBy Naomi Hirahara2005, 287 pages, Paperback. A sequel to Naomi Hirahara's first book, Summer of the Big Bachi, this new book, Gasa-Gasa Girl continues the adventures of Kibei gardener, Mas Arai, as a reluctant amateur detective. As a Kibei, a Japanese American trapped in Japan during World War II, Mas is caught between different worlds. These conflicts of identity have led to the estrangement between him and his American born daughter now living in New York City. A mysterious phone call from his daughter begging him for help leads him into a murder mystery. This story combines a good eye for detailing the inner conflicts of those caught between two very different cultures and the outer conflicts these differences create with others.
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The Guide to Hawaiian-Style
By Jody H. Fukumoto |
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Money Folding 101
By Norma Eng |
Copyright © 2005 by Asian American Curriculum Project, Inc. (a non-profit organization since 1970)
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