Jeepney Press : Alma Reyes

TRAFFIC by Alma Reyes

“WE, THE PEOPLE” NEEDS MORE WORK IN JAPAN

Something remarkable happened on November 7, 2020. While many non-Americans view the victory of President-elect Joe Biden (or defeat of Donald Trump) as an isolated triumph solely for America, I believe this sentiment to be significantly erroneous.

While listening to and watching Biden address his country so proudly with his powerful message of unity, dignity, respect and human values, I admit to have fallen to a gripping emotion, feeling the profound impact of his humble proclamation particularly on the immigrants (whom the current President have often belittled), who comprise nearly 45 million of the national population. It was a clear reminder of reawakening to the world that needs to abhor violence, prejudice, and misjudgment by race, gender, religion, status and disability. “Character Matters.” Biden’s words poignantly echoed in the ears of billions of people across the globe. Yet, while these simple words have long been grappled with by every citizen of any country, they continue to be disproportionately abused in more ways than permissible—from political and religious wars to racial prejudice. I felt deep empathy especially for the African-Americans who, not just by the past months’ display of inexcusable brutality that resulted to BLM (Black Lives Matter) protests, but by the mortifying scars of racial injustice they have awoken to and slept with for too many centuries, wrestle relentlessly in despair for human recognition. Still, it is a despair shared by all minorities in every part of the world.

That weekend event provoked me to contemplate on this matter as it applies to Japan. I have been living in this Asian country with my Asian roots for over twenty years, yet the feeling of harmony, recognition and acceptance, as an individual remains quite benumbed, despite Japan’s forced struggle to assimilate with the rest of the world and anything foreign beyond their cultural heritage. Common Japanese expressions, such as “kankaku ga awanai” (incompatible sense), “kangaekata ga wakaranai” (incomprehensive mind), “yappari chigau” (obviously different), “Gaijin dakara” (because he’s a foreigner), or worse “Nihonjin dakara” (because we’re Japanese) are over-diluted and stereotyped jargons that should be considered passé and completely irrelevant in today’s borderless world of mixed marriages, mixed children, international schools, Internet and digital communication.

How many of us, foreign residents in Japan have experienced at least once, segregation in companies, schools, or within Japanese families, because in Japanese’s eyes, we don’t (and for them, never will) understand the Japanese social system; or rejection by landlords or even restaurants just because “gaijin dakara”; or indignation by silent and disturbed glances for merely speaking a foreign language they cannot comprehend; or discrimination towards non-Caucasian English teachers who possibly receive less salary than Caucasian teachers; or disguised mockery for simple actions not habitual to their customs, such as eating inside the train, or wearing a different attire during a job interview, school graduation ceremony, or first day at work.

When will this steep curb of social pressure “to fit in” ever hear the epigram of today, “flatten the curve”?

In a country where being different internally is more of a liability than an asset, the ideal of individualism and intercultural unity will always be a far-fetched and abstract figure of imagination. Ironically, the Japanese stature of difference from the rest of the world cradles their national pride. “Nihonjin dakara” exists to be one of the most dangerous and unilateral mental ingredients of social education, which only serves the Japanese self-absorbed right to be unique and superior for the society’s own benefit, regardless of empathy towards others. It is for this reason that the society continues to float as an enigmatic and secluded island, suppressed and deviated from openness and possibilities. “We, the People”, as Biden had raised in his acceptance speech, needs more work in Japan if the country believes it to be deserving of the role as Host to the upcoming Olympic Games, and consequently, if it truly wishes to include itself in the heart of universal diversity.

It is my hope that what we have witnessed on that 7th day of November would not be the only catalyst to heal the wounds of division. Awareness and information are not enough stimulants to post witty comments on social media to broadcast what the world already knows. The most challenging process is practice, and practice, indeed, is a process for it needs to begin from oneself. And, by making others feel that we endeavor to cross bridges to accept and connect without thinking of where we had come from, but where we are now in this very moment, we would have shared the most cherished gift we could ever give to someone. Perhaps, in some rhetoric future, all we may need is one universal passport void of nationality identification in order to reach each other unconditionally.

Alma Reyes, writer

“WE, THE PEOPLE” NEEDS MORE WORK IN JAPAN