Urgh. I was abused so badly in my U.S. history class during my junior year of HS around this time of year.... Most people knew, or soon realized, that I was a fan of Japanese media, language and culture. Kids soon branded me unAmerican, unpatriotic, and a traitor to my country. The U.S. history teacher (who was actually a coach) was racist and supported racism in his students. He often made fun of Japanese language when he showed us videos about Pearl Harbor or Hiroshima, and went off speaking Asian-sounding gibberish and screwing up his face in a caricature of a Japanese man. At one point I'd had enough, told him he sounded stupid, threatened his life in Japanese...and then I didn't go to school for a couple weeks, I was so sick of the abuse.
That is what Pearl Harbor Day reminds me of. ^__^;
That is literally the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of.
It annoys me thinking about it. Every time we studied Pearl Harbor in history class, I felt pretty morose for both sides. I always see that all soldiers are the same, no matter whose side they are "fighting" on. They're all humans, they all have families they are trying to come home to, a job they are trying to do, and orders that they must follow, as that is what signing up, or in some countries, manditory military service, means.
That's sad that a teacher would be so narrow minded, ridiculously self-righteous, and all around... just fucking... stupid.
When I think of Pearl Harbor, I think of both sides. Because it's equally tragic to those Japanese who died in the line of duty.
I'm not a patriotic person in general about the United States...
Though somehow, this story of Pearl Harbor spoke to me in a way that makes me want to honor the folks who had to live and die through the hell that it was.
I'm not very positive about stuff, and with 9/11 I was immediately sick of hearing about it, the moment the stuff happened. Yeah, it was sad. No, I didn't feel the need to make a big deal.
Nor do I feel a need to make a big deal about Pearl Harbor. Just a moment's thought about those people. And not just the Americans. Because we're not the only ones who died. Especially with how America proceeded next at Hiroshima. Regardless of political sides or reasons or strategy...
I always feel bad for a moment for those who experienced that stuff. Because no matter who you are, it's equally as a lousy. I guess the comment below this set me off.
And the fact that a teacher could be so prejudice. My history teachers were awesome, and told a bit of each side. And now I appreciate that more than I did, because some jack-off wasn't so good to you. Parrots. A bunch of parrots.
I only like to think of it as the day before Jesse's Birthday. Besides, it's not like we haven't done ten times worse to numerous other countries, like dropping a second a-bomb on Japan after they surrendered.
My apologies... I just thought of it because I visited the Arizona memorial not more than 2 weeks ago.
I still like to honor those, - both Japanese and American - who died doing what all soldiers make the choice to do. Even if it's just a 2 second message about what happened many years ago.
My last minute thought: Was it not a beautiful piece of the planet earth that got attacked, every bit as much as the people? We always remember the deaths. Do we remember the fact that it also rapes our earth when this stuff happens? I donno. My thoughts. And not so humble opinions.
Oh, there's nothing to apologize about. =) And interesting historical fact is that almost immediatately after the attack, Emperor Hirohito was said to have declared that his nation had now lost. Isn't that a crazy concept? Victory was never even the objective--in some ways, I felt like I could actually understand that motivation, and even had a secret respect for it while growing up. I know, I'm a big traitor by today's ,*ahem*, standards...
I absolutely agree with you on wondering why nobody mourns the loss of a beautiful land. Part of my mortification towards the current war comes from how much beauty and history has been tossed aside into oblivion simply because it had no tactical value to the military. The Codes of Hammurabi--the very first known recorded laws in human history--are simply gone now. I can remember studying AP Political Science in highschool, and I remember that the Hammurabi scrolls served as a preface to the Constitution, to signify a kind of evolution in the system of law. The whole thing has a bitter irony for me.
I think your attitude towards war is very mature, and I wish some of our current leaders were capable of those kinds of thoughts. I personally think this war has gone so terrible due to their failure to respect the enemy and land they chose to wage war on.
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2005-12-08 06:05 am (UTC)That is what Pearl Harbor Day reminds me of. ^__^;
LAME
Date: 2005-12-08 03:47 pm (UTC)It annoys me thinking about it. Every time we studied Pearl Harbor in history class, I felt pretty morose for both sides. I always see that all soldiers are the same, no matter whose side they are "fighting" on. They're all humans, they all have families they are trying to come home to, a job they are trying to do, and orders that they must follow, as that is what signing up, or in some countries, manditory military service, means.
That's sad that a teacher would be so narrow minded, ridiculously self-righteous, and all around... just fucking... stupid.
When I think of Pearl Harbor, I think of both sides. Because it's equally tragic to those Japanese who died in the line of duty.
I'm not a patriotic person in general about the United States...
Though somehow, this story of Pearl Harbor spoke to me in a way that makes me want to honor the folks who had to live and die through the hell that it was.
I'm not very positive about stuff, and with 9/11 I was immediately sick of hearing about it, the moment the stuff happened. Yeah, it was sad.
No, I didn't feel the need to make a big deal.
Nor do I feel a need to make a big deal about Pearl Harbor. Just a moment's thought about those people. And not just the Americans. Because we're not the only ones who died. Especially with how America proceeded next at Hiroshima. Regardless of political sides or reasons or strategy...
I always feel bad for a moment for those who experienced that stuff. Because no matter who you are, it's equally as a lousy. I guess the comment below this set me off.
And the fact that a teacher could be so prejudice. My history teachers were awesome, and told a bit of each side. And now I appreciate that more than I did, because some jack-off wasn't so good to you. Parrots. A bunch of parrots.
-Angela
no subject
Date: 2005-12-08 12:23 pm (UTC)Hm.
Date: 2005-12-08 03:39 pm (UTC)I just thought of it because I visited the Arizona memorial not more than 2 weeks ago.
I still like to honor those, - both Japanese and American - who died doing what all soldiers make the choice to do. Even if it's just a 2 second message about what happened many years ago.
My last minute thought:
Was it not a beautiful piece of the planet earth that got attacked, every bit as much as the people? We always remember the deaths. Do we remember the fact that it also rapes our earth when this stuff happens?
I donno. My thoughts. And not so humble opinions.
-Angela
Re: Hm.
Date: 2005-12-08 11:11 pm (UTC)I absolutely agree with you on wondering why nobody mourns the loss of a beautiful land. Part of my mortification towards the current war comes from how much beauty and history has been tossed aside into oblivion simply because it had no tactical value to the military. The Codes of Hammurabi--the very first known recorded laws in human history--are simply gone now. I can remember studying AP Political Science in highschool, and I remember that the Hammurabi scrolls served as a preface to the Constitution, to signify a kind of evolution in the system of law. The whole thing has a bitter irony for me.
I think your attitude towards war is very mature, and I wish some of our current leaders were capable of those kinds of thoughts. I personally think this war has gone so terrible due to their failure to respect the enemy and land they chose to wage war on.
Re: Hm.
Date: 2005-12-09 01:06 am (UTC);)
-Angela