Over at game site Insert Credit, Brandon Sheffield has an interesting post that deals with Japan's "charming" racism. Of course, Sheffield is being ironic and drawing attention to some of the stereotypes that populate the Japanese zeitgeist. From his post:
quoteTake a look at [Wii game] Miburi & Teburi, and the first thing you'll notice is a giant white man covered in fake hair. That is what they call a 'Nazo no American,' or a hint-giving American... Scroll down and watch the videos. The top video is the in-game stuff, and it doesn't seem so bad. They have depictions of 'hyper-Japanese' people in there too, it seems. But the lower video is problematic. It "stars" the voices of two "Americans" who say things like "I love Japan, I love Japanese people" in uniquely horribly faked American accents. It's the equivalent of someone saying "I rike fly lice" to describe how a Japanese person might talk. Of course Japan isn't the only culprit... But I think in Japan there's a lack of awareness that this is insulting in the first place, which increases the problem. I honestly think I'd have less of a problem with it if they were truly playing with American conventions and American Japanese fetishism — but they're just unconsciously making fun of a group of people. And I'm not sure anyone will tell Sega this isn't appropriate. It's a fine line, but I think this crosses it.
It is a fine line, indeed. And SEGA isn't alone with playing on these stereotypes — this type of foreigner makes regular appearances on Japanese TV. And with Westerners being a minority, this is all a lot of Japanese know about foreigners. Sure, it's a two-way street: Pull out your copy of Lost in Translation or, even, Kill Bill for recent misses in the cultural sensitivity department.
But, Sheffield is dead on about a general lack of awareness.
Most Japanese don't have experiences interacting with foreigners — save for trips abroad or maybe in English conversation schools. It's a numbers game — there aren't that many foreigners for them to interact with on an everyday basis. Hence, the pickle.
Here's a story: Late last week, I take my kid to the ear doctor. There's another kid in the waiting room, maybe about ten. When I enter, the kid points and says, "foreigner." I sit down, read a comic book. He comes over, maybe, four or five times and says, "You look like a foreigner." I tell him, four or five times, "Well, that's because I am." And smile. Kid's parents say nothing, just kinda sit there. Now, if, say, every time the kid was in a waiting room or w/e, he spotted a non-Japanese, would he react the same? No, probably not. Or, what about Japanese people who literally freeze or break into a sweat when you approach them, thinking they will be met with a spew of English? Interactions like this are part of living here and certainly not charming.
Then again, I think of all the inane questions people in America have asked my wife: Do you eat things besides fish? Do they have cookies in Japan? Don't Japanese people usually wear kimonos? So, you can speak Chinese? That, and other stereotypes Westerns have of the Japanese: The Japanese aren't emotional or don't get pissed off or are very orderly and clean or do things to stand out or are cute, wacky or aren't creative, etc. It's a two-way street and irritating for those traveling between the cultures. For everyone else, bliss is ignorance.
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as an american white male between the age of 18 and 25, i am not offended by anything.
I do find the stereotypes about American people funny at times.....but I look at it as a joke.....after all, I highly doubt any in Japan is like my favorite Anime characters.
Racism has always been such a ridiculous debate to even bother to bring up. Some people say racism is dead, some people say it's still thriving. Both people are right, racism will never go away entirely. There will always be fools that keep it alive. The difference is when actual hate crimes come of it, and in comparison to the world of yesteryear there's a lot less racism going on now than back then.
To take offense to verbal racism is just weak.
Its more of ignorance then racism to be honest.
@jmac353 how is it weak to take offense to verbal racism?
You know the saying sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never hurt you? It's so *bleep*ing lame, but so true. It loses its meaning because we're all told it as children and when we're kids we aren't strong enough to actually take it to heart and as we grow up we associate that saying with being a little kid when we shouldn't.
People need to buck up.
Words can impact people and the world, but more so actions as well.
That's the whole point finalblade. No offense dude, but honestly, are you like 12 or something? It just seems like you have a lot to learn about life in general.
Exactly my point, these words do affect you, but they shouldn't hurt you. I personally allow what is said towards me with distaste to make me stronger. Each time you don't allow those words to harm you, you grow stronger or what have you.
While they shouldn't hurt you, like you said, it doesn't mean it doesn't. While i do agree with you on a certain degree, you can't say everyone shouldn't take offense to it. Its Japanese people taking offense to Jap. Or Black people with the N word. Or Spanish people with the S word. Its the same thing, its derogatory word and its offensive and it hurts people.
I could care less what people call me, cause i laugh it up, but to say it shouldn't hurt you, when people are very different in personality is just ignorant. You need to accept there is many different personalities out there and some take things far to deeply and get Hurt by it. Its called role model. If your hanging around people who constantly call you bad words your going to be hurt, cause the person will feel its true. And they end up being killers.
Thats why role models play a vital role in society, people look up to them and want to be like them. Same with sports players and such, and the young people especially, since they don't have alot of experience in this area.
Yeah, I know Japan isn't like Anime (and some Games) make it out to be, which is a pity.....
There have been similar accusations made about the country's (at large) view of Black persons....
Of course it was complete bullshit and I had quite a laugh when everyone began correcting him. Whether others feel the same is beyond me