"If you're not white, you're not wanted."
—Jenny Chagnon.
As with Drama City, this novel, to me, at least, is so dense and rich and complicated and confusing that I feel like we've only scratched its surface. I want another month to study this book. As Sam said Wednesday, it really is a psychological novel: Jake supported this by noting, correctly, that narrative-wise, very little has happened in the book: what, are we a week into Ichiro's return to Seattle? He's been to school; he's been to the Club Oriental; he's been beaten by his brother; he finds some degree of solace with Emi; and then we switch to Ken's world, and we get a close look at his family over dinner, his trip back to the Club Oriental, and then his and Ichiro's trip to Portland and another operation on his leg. Not much. Yet we are getting, thematically, a look into what America means to a specific group of immigrants and their children and their community; we are getting to see what racism can do to a ethnic minority; we are seeing the American Dream through the eyes of those who have had it torn away from them...and perhaps returned.
I'll shut up now. Jenny's quote above comes from Wednesday as we talked about race and American identity in the novel. So:
1. Do you agree with her statement as relating to the book? Why or why not? And if it is true, in your opinion, can the same be said for today? Why or why not?
2. We get a glimpse of a happy family in the Kannos, in that great dinner scene. It's so clearly—to me, at least—a scene from a Norman Rockwell painting. The Kannos are the American Dream, right down to the baseball on the television. They are the opposite of the Yamadas—this is an American success story. Or is it? Say why you answer what you do.
3. A scene or moment from Chapters 5 or 6 that particularly struck you—and how so?
Tomorrow we'll all be tired, some sunburned, but we'll do our best to soldier on. See you then.
1. I agree with Jenny’s statement. It is obvious that this book is about racial issues. We constantly see races bashing each other and bringing themselves down. During chapter six, we see Kenji realizing that every race tries to achieve a higher status, everybody but the white people who do not have to worry about anything. I think that in this world, being white is better because white people do not have to prove their American statues, even when they are not born in America. Today, we do not see this issue at such a big scale. However, there are ethnical norms and stereotypes that are still in place to this day. People life segregated in a smaller form and, in my opinion, white people are still regarded as better people who live better lives.
ReplyDelete2. I think that in a sense it is the American Dream because Mr. Kanno came from nothing and they struggle and suffer but finally have a house and happy family. Yet, they struggle with Kenji’s leg and racial prejudice. It is clear that this is a family loves each other and it is very pleasant to read about their happiness. I think it is a story about the American Dream because the family is well off and together. Maybe it is not about success since they are still struggling with many tough issues but I think it is definitely about reaching for the American Dream.
3. One of the parts that shocked me the most was at the beginning of chapter five when Mrs. Yamada tells Ichiro that “it is unfortunate that he [Ken] was not killed” (103). I was shocked by the bitterness and hatred shown by her. I think that this summarizes that confliction about who was right in the war. We clearly see that she hates Kenji for joining the army almost as much as Taro hates Ichiro for not joining the army. This statement, in my opinion, shows how much hate is shown within this community. This fragmented community is not coming together but is self-destructing.
I think to a degree this may be true, but there is definitely love and want for these people. The story of the Japanese-American population is similar to the discrimination of jews, in that I believe many people felt no option but to act the way they did. It is human nature, just like the japanese on the bus John mentioned. The sad but realistic human response is to pick the winning side, and I think that although there was much outward hate towards the Japanese-Americans, there was love as well.
ReplyDeleteLike many American families, they outwardly appear to have everything they could want. TV, plenty of food to eat, and plenty of children to feed. But like so many American families, they face much deeper problems that ultimately split them apart. When Kenji's father blames himself for his sons injury, I cannot help but agree. He may not have known what would come out of it, but Kenji is dying to preserve the american dream his father sought after. Kenji realizes this, and understands that his disease is the collateral for that dream. I say no because like Steve Sigur said, it is a zero sum game, and they are going to lose the son the love for a night of baseball on the telle.
The interaction with Ichiro and his father, when Ichiro calls his father stupid, and his father takes it silently, but cries. That moment, and the way it unfolded, seemed to be the most painful for Ichiro. He treats his father like a child that does not know any better, but I think the father is more observant than he outwardly appears. He has moments of leadership but the constant years of living in Mama's shadow and her tyrannical beliefs have left him hunched and weary. For his father to simply absorb this hurtful comment and cry into a washcloth made me realize how dysfunctional their family is
1. I am reluctant to agree to Jenny’s statement in regards to what has happened in the book so far because the racial conflict has primarily occurred between minorities. I thought of the conflict as a way for individuals who share a certain aspect of their lives, such as race or winning the war, and using that aspect to assert their superiority (though it doesn’t correlate). The only situation where “If you’re not white, you’re not wanted” has taken place is when the guy walks into the club with a pretty white girl, but there are far more examples of the Japanese not wanting black people in their company (and vice versa) and of losers being picked on by the winners. The quote may be even more irrelevant in modern times, with Affirmative Action providing support to the traditionally poorer (economically) races and classes, and only due to that race or class.
ReplyDelete2. They have overcome hunger and harshness to become happy and successful, so yes, I would think they have achieved the American Dream. But, the mother is dead and Kenji is dying, so it is not a perfect life, though it is still a success story. The father knows that Kenji’s decisions have been his own, and not the father’s fault. The daughters live middle-class lives with families of their own, and Tom seems like a good enough guy. With the exception of Kenji, their problems seem to have ended, and they will continue living in success even after he dies.
3. The scene that struck me was when Kenji is sitting in Club Oriental, having a pleasant time by himself, and the manager refuses to let in two black guys, while all of the Japanese people shout racist remarks about how they are “not worthy” to come into their establishment. The hypocrisy of the quote “them ignorant cotton pickers” (133) particularly got on my nerves, because the speaker is the only one who has shown he is ignorant.
ReplyDelete1. I understand Jenny’s quote, but I don’t think that I agree completely because there is a want for people who are not white, however, they are wanted by people who are similar to themselves. People who are alike, like no-no boys, or Japanese that went into the army, or other small sub-groups of larger discriminated groups band together throughout this book. There would be a loss felt if Ichiro lost Kenji and there was loss felt by Ichiro and the Kumasaka family when Bob died. The very similar communities want each other because no one else wants them, like their government or the others in their community. What happened to many Japanese-American or Japanese people living in American is somewhat alike to the discrimination of jews, because the higher power (the government) of the country is dictating to the masses of the country who is wanted and who is to be cast out. Most people will follow the rules/laws/dictations spoken by the authorities, without questioning the morals behind their lack of decision.
2. In some sense, they do live the American Dream because Mr. Kanno worked his way up from what he feels to be completely nothing and now they get to have big family chicken dinners and then go off and watch baseball on the TV. They even have a United States Army veteran in the family, which makes them that much more American. However, this is a family who has been told for the past four years that they aren’t truly American because they look different and they came from somewhere else and to top it off, Kenji is slowly and painfully losing his leg, which isn’t part of the American Dream. They live it in a superficial sense of their lives, but when you look inside, you see how desperate the Kanno family can feel.
3. The scene that stood out to me the most was when Kenji and Ichiro were stopped by the policeman, because we had seen racism before in this book, but this felt more blatantly in your face: “You Japs can read, can’t you?” (140). It felt as though with each act of racism throughout the story, it became more and more heinous.
1. I completely agree with Jenny's comment. It definitely relates to the book, especially because of what was said earlier in the book by Ichiro. He questioned why Japanese-American's were being treated terribly while the German and Italian-Americans were being treated normally. It is all because of race. If you aren't white, you really are not wanted in America. People flock to others who are like them, so any people who appear to be different due to race are unwanted.
ReplyDelete2. I think that this is definitely a depiction of the American Dream even though there are some obvious struggles (Ken's leg) in the family. No one can have a perfect life, a completely absolute "American Dream" , but the Kannos seem pretty damn close to me. Mr. Kanno came from absolutely nothing and worked throughout his entire life to support his family, and now in his old age he is able to work only when he would like and has a more than sufficient income. I think this is what any person would want, to work hard and see one's efforts pay off. Of course the American Dream of this family isn't perfect because of Ken's leg, but Ken made the decision to go to war and is very at peace and understanding with what is happening to him from what I see.
3. The scene where Ichiro and his father read the letters aloud to his Mother definitely stuck out to me. It was heart wrenching to even hear the letters and the desperation coming from the sister, but to see his mother's reaction was so sad. She couldn't even cry but just felt numb. I really feel for her because this whole situation must be so confusing for her. I also feel for Ichiro's father. Their whole family situation is fucked up and upsetting.
I completely agree with Jenny's comment here. I think that while the problem is more complicated and underlying than this quote might make it seem, it is still the problem that our characters in the book face. I think one of the major points being hammered home in this book thus far is that there is an image, a physical image, of a true American that cannot be tampered with, and if you do not fit that image exactly than there is some real discrepancy as to whether or not you are in fact a true American. And part of that image is, arguably, being white. Earlier in the book we read about the one no no boy who makes his argument that he has lived as an American should and has done everything he can to fit the American lifestyle and definition, and yet here he is being treated as if he's otherwise, and there is obviously major rejection involved. We see the black guys who jeer at Ichiro as he gets off of the bus, and we get a glimpse into the mind of Ichiro who thinks poorly of them because of their race and who feels that something is off just by their presence there. Between all of these characters of different races we see, all of whom are "real" Americans, the struggle and emphasis is on those who are not white, and this struggle comes from society that is America. The only real difference between the Americans who are doing just fine and the Americans struggling in this novel is the color of their skin, their race, and yet it is only the ones who are not white who are being rejected by America and struggling. So in that sense, the quote very much pertains to this book. I think the same can be said for today to some extent. I think it's definitely not as blatant, I don't see the same simple rejection of actually being American that we do in this novel, but I think there is obviously a struggle among those who are not white based on their race that white people do not have to grapple with.
ReplyDeleteI think it's definitely an American success story when you look at what's actually been accomplished. A man works hard for his children, his children do very well because of it, and as a result they are able to support him as well as themselves, and they are able to gather to have great meals and to spend time together watching baseball. They have made it, and now they can enjoy their family and the relationships they cherish while they partake in watching the true American sport. They are a family that has built themselves from the ground up, and that's a simple definition of the American dream in my opinion. But, once you throw in their race, their heritage and the fact that they do not fit society's image of an American exactly, the image is very much changed, it becomes much more complicated because the oppression they face as a result becomes a factor. It's almost as if society is saying that you can physically reach the point one might consider to be the American dream, but it will never be accepted by society unless you are actually an American that fits the image, and the Kannos do not fit this image, and so they have not achieved the American dream despite doing everything right and achieving all they could achieve in the eyes of America.
A scene that really stuck out at me was the scene when Ichiro gets pulled over for speeding and the cop gives them the ticket with charges they were not responsible for. But what stuck out at me was not the cop or the cop's actions, but the way Ken handled the situation. The cop tried to let Ken out of it easy through bribery, and yet Ken made sure to receive the ticket as he should have, and he made sure that everything in the situation happened as it should and that he was a lawful citizen. This scene is I think the second interaction we see between a white man and a Japanese-American man, and Ken is doing everything he can in this situation to prove he is just as American as the white man. It's almost as if he feels he needs to do extra, to prove himself, and I think that this is representative of a much bigger issue, of a much bigger group of Japanese Americans who feel that in order to be taken seriously as Americans they have to do everything they possibly can as Americans and then some.
ReplyDelete1. I don’t fully agree with what Jenny said. While there is a lot of animosity towards minorities in public life, we’ve seen plenty of examples of our characters being cared for. Kenji has a very caring family that is clearly devastated about what’s happening to him. He also noted that everyone in the bar seemed like a second family to him. Soon after, they disheartened him by denying two African American people entrance to the bar. That makes me think that most people are wanted and unwanted by different groups. Kenji cares about Ichiro, and even if Ichiro is having a hard time coping, he cares about his parents. Today the situation is better but not perfect. Greater numbers are accepted today than they were during the time period of this book. There’s still hatred and discrimination, but it’s becoming easier to avoid it and only pay attention to the people who don’t act poorly.
ReplyDelete2. I do think that this is an American success story. They have everything one might find in an ad for a happy family, and they actually care about each other. Kenji’s health and his father’s guilt don’t mean that they’ve failed. They’ve found a way to be happy even after everything that’s happened. That’s probably the most anyone can realistically hope for.
3. The scene that struck me the most was Ichiro’s mother sweeping the cans off of the shelf. What’s even worse is Ichiro’s follow up information. “Ever since eight o’clock tonight. Puts them on the shelf, knocks them down, and puts them back up again”(139). Mama’s condition is bad and getting worse. The only thing that seemed to be keeping her going was the lie that Japan had won the war. When she reads that letter, something breaks. It’s hard to imagine his drunken father and his broken mother coming back from this situation. He does seem to care about them, but he isn’t bringing himself to do anything about it.
1. I agree with myself, I still think that in this novel there is a premium on being white. Yes, the country wants these young men to fight in the war, but at the same time they’re shoving them all aside into camps. These young men are constantly feeling alienated and told they don’t belong and Ichiro has internalized it and is now riddled with self loathing and self hate. I certainly don’t agree with my statement, but I think it’s true in the context of this book. I don’t think it’s true today, but there is still definitely a power that is associated with being white.
ReplyDelete2. I don’t think it is a success story. Their life appears to be better than the Yamadas, they’re kind to each other and are loving, but I think there is just as much sadness in their family. They have a son who is dying and they blame themselves for it, and it seems like none of them really know how to deal with the fact that Kenji is slipping away from them. They’re not yelling at each other, but I still think the family is being torn apart by what has happened to them. While Kenji went to war and Ichiro didn’t, both families are struggling to deal with their situations, and I think they are more alike than different.
3. The scene that stood out to me was when Ichiro’s mother finally hearing the reality of what happened in the war and the reality of the situation. She had been so sure of herself and that everything was going to be okay, and while I had desperately wanted her to wake up for her selfish state of mind, it was still hard to read and it was almost heartbreaking. She’s a cruel person, but just like Ichiro and every other character in the novel, she’s been tossed aside and rejected by a society she left a life to be a part of.
1. I definitely agree with Jenny’s statement. I think this book really emphasizes the constant battle to be part of the superior race, and there seems to be a need to be superior within your own race as well. Being white is the ticket to having a comfortable life where you aren’t treated differently and you get the same opportunities and you have rights that people recognize. I think this statement is true for today also especially with recent discussions over immigration and who ‘belongs’ and who doesn’t and what America means. I think its not as big as it was back in the time the novel is set in and different races arent looked down upon as much, but there are still major issues and its still a fact of life especially if you live in America.
ReplyDelete2. I think they are a true American success story because they went from rags to riches. Their life is what every immigrant family dreams of achieving. it’s the same dream that my parents still hold for my sister and I today, its what everyone wants. They want their children to be prosperous, against all odds because their children deserve the best and shouldn’t be discriminated against just because they come from a different place. I think a common theme in most peoples ideas of the American Dream is making sure their children have a prosperous life and succeed and I think the Kannos family holds the same belief.
3. A moment that stuck out to me when Kenji’s father had that massive internal monologue when talking with Kenji on page 120. The line that really summarizes the whole thing is “So, on this steadfast bit of conviction that remained, and knowing not what the future held, this son had gone to war to prove that he deserved to enjoy those rights which should rightfully have been his” (121). The level of understanding Kenji’s father has for Kenji’s decisions is remarkable in this book considering we have characters like Irchiro’s mother who didn’t want Ichiro to fight because it went against her own beliefs.
I think Jenny’s statement only applies from a certain point of view; the points of view of the people holding power, which in this case are white. As for the rest I agree with Molly in that these groups of people, like the no-no boys, need each other and there is a kind f want for them in society. In present times I think that it is also base all on point of view. For example many schools now have goals to be diverse and white students are not the only ones wanted.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the father rose from nothing and now the family has all the basic needs, like Cam said, I cannot help but think that they have not really reached the American Dream. It feels like they have created an illusion of it. Ken is going to most likely die because he was forced to pick a side and fight. Freedom and happiness are also components to the American Dream, and I think this family is trying to stay happy with what they have and the time they have left (ken specifically), but there is not really a happy ending in sight for them.
I was really struck by Ichiro’s treatment of his father. It seemed to me earlier in the book that the father was really the only more reasonable family member that Ichiro has, since his mother is stuck in her beliefs, and he does not really even know his brother anymore. I wonder why Ichiro doesn’t give his father a break sometimes, but then I can also understand why it would make Ichiro angry to have a father who doesn’t stand up to his dogmatic wife and who is not a more inspiring figure in the household. The lack of communication and evenness in the parents’ relationship makes it impossible for there to be a center support structure in the family which holds it together. This problem has caused for the Yamadas to be a completely dysfunctional family with no common set of values or views.
1) Jenny’s quote definitely sums up the atmosphere of No No Boy. There is no instance in the book where a Japanese or African American person has been fully and totally accepted by society. From the minute Ichiro gets off the bus to the point where he looks his own brother in the eye before getting mugged outside of a casino, Ichiro is not wanted. Even the kindest of white people, like Professor Brown, can’t remember Ichiro’s name and make it clear that they don’t have importance in the world. There is no overwhelming oppression, but a definite neglect that creates a lasting discomfort.
ReplyDelete2) I say yes because of the Kanno’s imperfections. Yes, they have baseball on TV and they have the “pull yourself up by your bootstraps” mentality, but they also have flaws and as a family work to resolve them. In my opinion, that is a more accurate depiction of the American Dream. Their son is in danger and they are struggling, but it is obvious that this family is in much better shape than the Yamadas.
3) The scene that stuck out to me is the scene where the manager of the oriental club refuses to let two black men come inside. This relates back to our discussion in class where John was talking about the Japanese’s tendency to sit in the front of the bus instead of the back. The Japanese take the oppression and lack of acceptance that they feel and reciprocate it onto some other minority. They feel powerless and take every opportunity to use the power that they have.
1. I think Jenny's quote applies very well to No-No Boy and what Ichiro is experiencing. I think that to be white is seen as a superior way of life. However, because of this, I don't think minorities are unwanted. Not to be too cynical, but people who feel better because of their race want a lower class of people different from them. People that they can judge and hate. I think this issue is less true now than it was in the 40's, but it still exists.
ReplyDelete2. I think this is an American Dream story. I've honestly always partly associated the American Dream with immigrants, because of idea of the "melting pot". Ken's father is hard working and dedicated to his family, and his kids (except Ken) have a better life than he did. Ken is obviously suffering, but like Christine said, not everything can be perfect. I don't think Ken's injury detracts from the success of the family.
3. The moment that really stuck with me was when Ichiro's mom was throwing the cans on the floor. It was really sad to me. It is unclear how much she has finally realized, but any amount would be brutal. We've seen how difficult the situation has been on Ichiro, but this is our first real glimpse of what the mom is dealing with.
1. I also agree. Even though many of the Japanese Americans did fight against Japan when they return home they still live in the segregated towns and areas away from the "more powerful" race. There are struggles inside the race between the ones that supported America and those that did not. The conflict between this divided race is constantly on Ichiro's mind but I think the bigger picture that Jenny's quote brings up is that the true struggle is between the entire Japanese culture and the American culture. I also believe that this is very much still around today. Not just with Japanese but with many different races. The different stereotypes are awful and with some common sense could be avoided but people, especially a group of people, are hard to change.
ReplyDelete2. Of course at first glance it is. When you skim your hand lightly across sand you cannot feel the hard stones underneath. Earlier we have said that Kenji is a very close mirror to Ichiro. They are both deep individuals that think things over constantly each for their own personal reasons but both in a similar fashion. We see how hard both of these men are working to figure out what they have done and what they will become. We see Kenji looking around in this scene at the new rugs and lamps and furniture and I think he is asking himself if it was all worth it. Did he make the right choice knowing that his leg could have been blown or even worse? I say that this may look like the American dream but in reality if you have to question if it was the right choice it probably wasn't the right path.
3. What really struck me was the letter sent by Ichiro's mother's sister. The reaction afterwards was such a vivid scene. When Ichiro looks into the bedroom and he sees his mother sitting there black of all expression: "Her expression was neither that of sadness nor anger. It was a look which meant nothing, for the meaning was gone." (111). This is clearly defeat. In a woman that we may not have all enjoyed but she was strong and to be broke like this shows how devastating a single letter can be. The letter describes an entire nations attitude and the downfall of an important character in the book. It was startling and stood out to me.
1. Jenny's statement is one that we never want to say. In class Adan brought up how touchy and careful we are around race. Jenny summarizes a big issue of the book with her statement. Its more than just the fact that they are not white, therefor not wanted, though. Every character tries so hard to be wanted and they try to hide their insecurities with army jackets and pretty white women. Its like John's story about the bus, where the Japanese sat with the white people up front. Ichiro is singled out because he is a no-no boy, but in reality Ichiro is going through the same problems as Eto, Taro, and Kenji. Ichiro is degraded because he recognizes that he is conflicted between his Japanese heritage and the country that he has lived in his entire life.
ReplyDelete2. On the outside I would say that it is an American success story. The family is living in moderate prosperity and they can all gather together and watch a baseball game. Kids crawl around the room and they are all happy to be together. The elephant that is awkwardly sitting in the room is Kenji. They wait to eat until Kenji wakes up and comes downstair. Everyone is worrying about how long he will live. The family will never truly be happy about its success without a all of its members healthy. They all stand united, but Kenji can't even face his siblings, nieces, and nephews to say good bye. He won't fess up that to them that this time is worse. Everyone wants to talk about it, but they can't get themselves to do it. What can they say to Kenji? "I hope you don't die" or "Its probably nothing." Its a success story money wise and at face value, but on a deeper level the family is being torn apart by Kenji's slow death that they keep hoping to postpone.
3. The scene that stuck out to me was the scene in the bar where the bartender kicked out the guy who brought in two black guys with him. It really resonates with what we have been talking abut in class. The bartender continued to talk about how he didn't want people bringing filth into his bar. He likes the superiority he feels when he can be the one to say that someone else isn't worthy. Everyone wants to deflect racism from themselves. They can establish their superiority to others on the basis of dates, army service, and skin color. The more they can deflect onto other people the better. I don't blame them, everyone wants to feel wanted and looked up to. They are in a difficult situation and have to find ways to cope.
1. In the aftermath of this reading I have to agree with Jenny on this topic. When Kenji is driving around town perusing through various racially charged stories the main conflict is between minorities. It is almost a competition among the minorities in the novel on who can be the most white, and by extension who can be the most american. Everything is based on associating yourself with the majority in the hopes that you yourself will be associated with the majority and be accepted. In a very literal example, the Italian restaurant where the Japanese man and Jewish man entered and were not served. Rather than the issue being with the men together or with the jewish man, the only point the manager made was that "japs" weren't allowed there. Quite literally, if you aren't white, you aren't wanted. It seems that this is also the cause of the conflicts between majorities in the novel, as all conflict is in an attempt to seem superior to the other side after they have all collectively been beaten down by the "actual americans," (as they are called in the book) or white people.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, this is a success story. It is beyond stereotypical to have a man rise from poverty to middle class over the course of his life, allowing for his multiple children to live the lives they want to live. As far as we can see, other than the approaching loss of Ken's life, which is a serious issue, there is no real conflict or problem. They all seem independently successful, and happy, and the only one who has sacrificed anything is Ken, who is the only one of the children who is struggling through life. Yes, this is the American Dream, albeit with the depressing aspect that one of the children has come close to sacrificing everything he has.
3. As Alex has said before me, the scene that hit me the hardest was the long scene describing Ken's contentment and safety sitting in Club Oriental, and the sudden switch to violent and blatant racism when the young black men try to enter. It draws an extremely interesting line where he sets up the situation in a positive light, and only then shows that these very same people who we have been giving our approval to are equally hateful and prejudiced.
1. I agree with most people in that I agree with Jenny. It completely relates to the book in that every character's attitude so far, especially the non white characters themselves feel this way. I think it can be seen in every small interaction. Particularly when they call each other things like "jap" and "nigger", there is a hatred portrayed by society that is perpetuated by self-hatred of the people. The story you told the other day of the family getting on the bus resonated with me. The distinct line that was drawn the second the Japanese family got on the bus was so shocking/ The white people on the bus almost outright said "it's us or them". Even though the family chose to sit with the white people, they would never be considered white. The book addresses these ideas, asking who is accepted and wanted, the answer never being anyone but the white folks. I think this attitude has changed so much since there war and, particularly, since the civil rights movement. I think as a country we are starting to realize that there is not one single archetype of a true American, we are definitely beginning to accept people of different races and heritages more than ever.
ReplyDelete2. I think they have achieved the Dream, in a sense. As we have discussed time and time again, there are so many different definitions of what the American Dream really is. If you think of it financially, as working your way from no money to having money, yes, they reached that definition of the dream. They watch baseball and live what would be expected. Yet they aren't quite content. As Kenji says, "I'll go upstairs and lie down on the bed and I won't sleep right away because the leg will hurt a little and I'll be thinking...if you had been different, it might have been that I would also not have been the same and maybe you would have kept me from going to war and I would have stayed out and had both my legs". This is in no way success to me. This is Kenji saying "you failed me". While they may appear to have it all, they are really not the ideal American family at all.
3. The moment that stuck out to me was right when Kenji leaves the Oriental club we see the inner workings of his mind. We get a snapshot of what he is thinking and what he is thinking is profound and pinpoints a lot of the meaning of the book. He is struggling, as it says, to the point of madness, with the concept of those who are oppressed. In this moment he ponders the bigotry and awfulness of people. He thinks about the psyche of the oppressed, how they become motivated and, in a sense, powerful. Yet he ends this rant with the simple word "but...". To him, no matter how much hope the oppressed have, it will never be enough to cancel out the bigots and the assholes, it is a zero sum game. This stuck out to me because it is placed in the book so precariously. It is thrown in there in a place it can be easily overlooked. He rushes into the thoughts and is immediately pulled from them, yet these thoughts are the key to understanding the novel.
1. I agree with Jenny's statement, but it's deeper than that. Yes, it seems that to not be white means America rejects you because the majority of Americans are white. It is human nature to reject those who are different than you. Whether it be a Japanese man against a black man, or a Chinese man against a Jew. This does not directly refer to white America, but it can effect the experience one has in the United States. This is very relevant today. Everyone is prejudiced; everyone catagorizes others based on how they look. Yes, to not be white is an extreme disadvantage, but I think it's important to note that it isn't just white people who are being racist.
ReplyDelete2. I disagree with Zoe, I think that anyway you look at Kenji's family, it is a success story of the American Dream. Even though there are sad and rough patches in their lives, that does not mean that American ideals and opportunities have deserted them. As John pointed out in #3, the dream was taken away momentarily while interning the Japanese, but the important thing is where the family stands currently. They are happy. They are working, they can provide, they live comfortably. There is constant reference to how much more opportunity there is in America compared to Japan. How is this not a story of finding success in America?
3. The scene that stuck out to me was when Kenji walked out onto the porch about to leave without saying goodbye. The moment with his father was so touching, I cried. They have great respect for each other which is an extremely rare occurance in the novel thus far. It was so refreshing and relieving to see love in a world of hate.
1. I do agree with Jenny's statement, but I think in some ways it's more about acceptance, not want. Society will accept anyone who is white, but they won't accept everyone who is a minority. For example, on the bus the whites weren't exactly wanting the Asians wanting them to sit with but they were allowing them. The whites inviting the Asians to sit with them doesn't necessarily mean that they were accepting the asians. The whites were still superior to them. If you're not white, you're not accepted nor wanted.
ReplyDelete2. I think they have achieved the American Dream, or they're definitely on the road to achieving it. Even though they are "unwanted" by society, they seem happy and content with their lives, their family, and their success. Even Kenji seems happy with his leg. He is confident and proud of himself for his achievements and his life. And he knows what's ahead of him, but he's still living his life fully. The American Dream is the pursuit of happiness, and I think this family is tryign to find or is finding that happiness.
3. The part that stuck out to me the most is when Kenji is at the club, and the manager refuses to let the blacks in. This brings me back to the bus scenario over the two minority groups, the asians and the blacks. The asians sit at the front with the superiors, which in a way the asians are trying to say that their superior to the blacks in the back. In this scene, the Japnese are again feeling superior to the blacks when they're both being oppressed by the whites.
1. I too have to agree with jenny here. While what Jenny says is the main point, it is a little bit more complicated than that. But, as Jenny says, this book is centered around a group of immigrants and how they deal with having the American Dream torn away. Ichiro is struggling to find himself and how he now fits inside the community after he refused the draft. We see everyone in this community struggling to find their place, and dealing with it in different ways. Taro for one has decided to join the military in order to try to get away from what his brother and has done and to show the world that he is not like him, and that he is American. While not as obvious or noticeable, I think that this problem definitely exists today. As Sam said, a lot of being American is being white. Even today, we see a rejection of those who are not white, and people being made fun of for the color of their skin.
ReplyDelete2. I would say it is the perfect American success story. A family of immigrants with a single father doesn’t have enough money to feed themselves properly, and the father is a mere worker. Soon though, through hard work, they prevail, and lead happy lives (except for Kenji) and are part of loving families. But, I still think it is quite the sad story as they see that Kenji is dying, and they know it, but don’t know how to deal with it except to give him a feast every time he goes to Portland.
3. The scene that stuck out to me really was the scene with the letter from Japan. From the very moment the letter says “Kin-chan”, one knows that this is the letter that will finally bring Ichiro’s mother to her senses and allow her to see the truth.
1. I don't know if I can really agree with that statement, since I do not think there have actually been enough white characters shown to make that conclusion. All of the racism and prejudice that has been shown so far has been between different minorities. I guess it would be more accurate to say "if you are Japanese, you're nothing," as that seems to be the attitude of many people in the book. However, there are also clearly places where Japanese are still fully welcome, so I find that to be a bit of a stretch as well.
ReplyDelete2. I agree that they that are a very good picture of the stereotypical success story of a family that starts from nothing and makes it. The father says that all of his 6 children are successful, he only has to work a few days a week, and he has more money than he can spend. I would say that he is living the life that everyone ultimately wants to be living when they get to a retirement age. The only flaw in their perfect story is Kenji, though. The fact that his devotion to America is possibly going to kill him is a dent in the otherwise pretty much perfect image.
3. I really liked the story that Ichiro told about the Italian man that he knew in prison that told him about the moment that he realized he wanted to talk to his parents. So far the narration hasn't really pulled me in very hard, but this felt like a story that I could relate to. I also enjoyed the description of the Kenji's family gathering for the same reasons.
1) I do agree that that is the overwhelming mindset. Some people may be more accepting of their own race but not of others, much like the man in Club Oriental who is offended when the two black men try to come in. I feel that this statement is much less applicable today since there is a larger focus upon tolerance and equality.
ReplyDelete2) I believe that it is. Kenji worked hard to be where he is and he earned the money and acceptance that he has found. Although his story may be dampened by the fact that he has lost so much, it is still important to note what it is thy he has gained.
3) A moment that really stuck with me was Kenji's family dinner. I really like how well that family has bonded. Even though they face troubles they try their hardest to keep each other happy. This is such a stark contrast to Ichiro's situation and I really enjoyed the image.
1) For the main part, I do agree with Jenny's quote because for so many years there the struggle for each minority group [aka non-white] has been hard and prominent. It has been both the implicit and explicit idea since the moment that assimilation was enforced upon the Native Americans that white way of life the best. We don't get a very clear glimpse of how America treats other races in the book but from history classes, we know all about it. I think now in 2013 I can't quite say the same thing because so many minority groups have empowered and been able to be accepted by certain communities. Diversity is becoming more and more wanted and acceptable all around America. It is seen as something cool to have friends of other ethnicities and races. [talk about diverse and quirky hipsters nowadays…] So I think in the last decade people of color have been supported and accepted the most in all of history.
ReplyDelete2)I think the Kannos family is definitely the perfect description of what any immigrant has in mind when moving to America. It is also the depiction of a perfectly close and united family just in general. The reason why it is a successful scene/family is because the parent came to America striving for a better life for himself and his children. By working hard, he was able to provide a bright future for all his children. The two older girls get married and live happily with their husbands and children. Ken grows up a nice smart boy and serves the country that gave him so much. Being Japanese is not the reason Ken can not fully enjoy the American Dream family and life he has, it is because he is handicapped. But everyone else seems to have settled and found happiness in America.
3)A moment that stayed with me in chapter 6 was the moment when the college graduate was giving his speech and he said, “You are not displeased with what I have said but because I have hit upon the truth.” (125) In general, this seems to be true in any circumstance but he brought up a very good point. It is so hard for immigrant’s children to grow up with two different cultures tugging at them and sometimes parents try their hardest NOT to assimilate and so there is a big gap between them and their children. Sometimes the parents don’t try to learn the language or learn their way around without asking their children to translate every time they want to order something, make a phone call or just ask where the bathroom is. I underlined it because I can relate. I honor and love my parents but sometimes it’s so annoying to grow up wanting all the liberalness America has to offer but my mother in particular is very conservative and traditional. So I have to find a balance all the time. Even in the simplest things like painting my nails or doing my makeup.