Lies My Teacher Told Me

[salsa_maggi]

So I've been reading Lies My Teacher Told Me recently. It's kind of like Howard Zinn's A People's History of the United States, revealing the ethnocentric biases and omission of uncomfortable truths in the dominant history curricula in this country

Comments

[lethalinjustice]

"Especially when you're white and you CANNOT speak for people of color, no matter how many "minority friends" you have or how "anti-racist" you are. Period. Yet that's what history textbooks teach us, and what other institutions perpetuate, the white point of view, almost exclusively."

Hmm... I think mostly because of my personal experience living here in Japan, I completely and utterly disagree with this statement. I think it's more of, you can't speak for minorities until you have experienced it yourself.

Sure I can't speak of any opinions of a person of any other race but my own, but I do know what it is to be me a minority in a country where about 1 percent of the population is foreign. Every day I have to deal with the subtle racism of Japan, where Japanese people can't comprehend the fact that someone not Japanese can speak their language, use chop sticks and *gasp!* eat rice!! (Apparently the Japanese don't understand the idea the cultures outside their own eat rice) In this country I could never, ever be seen as Japanese. Even if I got married, had children, and had some permanent job, I would always be asked "So where are you from?" and "how long have you been here?" and hear thigns like "oh! you can speak japanese! you can say konichiwa! you are so fluent!"

It's a racism where the expectations are so low that there are none at all. My opinions and actions are not just representative of my race, but my entire country!

Sure the situation here is much different from minorities at home, but the feeling of being an outsider is still the same. The feeling of knowing you will never be on the same level as these people is the same. Where breaking connections and barriers is still difficult.

On that note though, looking what you said about american history, and comparing it to japanese history (because sadly i know it much better) I think a big thing that comes into play is the "history is written by the winners" concept. Is it right? Of course not. I think what is important is for people to always remember that the "losers" of history had a story as well. This is something I learned in my east asian history classes, there are so many giant gaps in east asia history, so many documents destroyed after a war. Even in Japan, to this day they refuse to print in text books the horrible monstrosities that they commited during world war 1 and 2. Not very many Japanese people know about the rape of nanking. The previous Japanese prime minister was criticized by many people because he wanted to apologize for the "comfort women" of world war 2. And hell, these are just within the past century.

I think the point I'm trying to say is, yes, our history is fucked, incorrect, and missing a ton of information. But at the same time, I think this is just a part of human nature, people are afraid to admit their wrong doings, and focus only on the things that they did that made themselves look good.

But... I have no fucking clue what that girl was going on about native americans and taxes... and if she seriously thinks that's the cause of our financial crises, or if the small contribution they would even make would make a difference... she's been mislead some how.

[lethalinjustice]

gah sorry i ranted a bit...

[salsa_maggi]

No worries. And thanks for pointing out the U.S. exclusive bias in my writing! (ironic, huh)

It's true that people try to cover their own mistakes, but the problem is that such grossly inaccurate accounts of history shape people's thoughts about their government and country, which keeps them blind to what goes on and allows systems of oppression to continue. It is dangerous to have people locked in the mindset that everything their group and/or country is good and justifiable and others are always to blame. And because history tends to repeat itself, when the same shit starts to go down again, people will be oblivious to it. It scares me to think about it.

[lethalinjustice]

Haha. I think one thing that we should just remember is no matter how many perspectives you write from, there is always going to be some form of bias.

I can't blame you for only including the US in your rant, because it's the topic you know. But it's still great that you are open to hearing different point of view and different sides.

I think there is a big difference between writing something like history and knowing you don't have all the facts, but writing what you know and accepting any changes that may exist. Compared to writing only what you find and shutting out everything else. Both types exist in this world, and I think the latter is the one you are really against. But sadly, their voice is just as strong as the former's.

[salsa_maggi]

I'm not arguing for having other perspectives in lieu of the dominant one, but rather for their inclusion. We can get a more balanced picture through multiple perspectives.

There are a lot of facts out there that are purposefully omitted or twisted in history textbooks. It's not that we're taught what we are because we have a limited knowledge of past events, but because there are powerful groups out there with agendas and an interest in shaping people's historical perspective to serve those agendas. It's not something I can give textbook authors the benefit of the doubt on, and this book thoroughly combs through the specific words, phrases, and lies in those textbooks to expose them.

[lethalinjustice]

I totally agree, and that is exactly what I just said previously. We are on the same page.

You and few historians (or other writers)- writing what you know and accepting changes as you learn

Most people who write history textbooks - stick to their own ideas and refuse to change

For example, there are historians, in america, graduated from top ivy league universities, who believe things like the rape of nanking never happened.

I'm sure if people could get away with it, there would be textbooks out there that said slavery never happened. Thank god that hasn't happened... yet.

[salsa_maggi]

I understand what you're saying, and to clarify my statement I was specifically referring to racial dynamics in the U.S. as white people are the dominant group here. You are right though, the same sort of dynamic occurs in other places with the dominant and minority groups. While one can't speak for other groups, one can learn to relate and understand their plights.

Even if I got married, had children, and had some permanent job, I would always be asked "So where are you from?" and "how long have you been here?" and hear thigns like "oh! you can speak japanese! you can say konichiwa! you are so fluent!"

Yup. I'm going to be fielding questions about my origins forever. And people will make sure to note how "articulate" I am and how I "barely" have an accent. *rolls*

[lethalinjustice]

Blah, sometimes I just hate it so much. There are just some days where I just don't even want leave my apartment and deal with it, so I can't imagine having to deal with that your entire life.

Just going to the store, buying food and such, I get that look of

"Aww look at the foreigner! It thinks it's people!!" and then when I actually SAY something in Japanese it's just like

"Oh dear god!! It SPEAKS our language!! It can talk!"

[ecto_plasm]

Are you referring to PM Junchiro Koizumi's apology? Cause that was three prime ministers ago. He was a rockstar. Shinzo Abe denied the women were forced, but he was a joke who only lasted one year. Same with Taro and Fukuda.

[lethalinjustice]

Blah this is why I need to re-read things before I write about them. But koizumi was very harshly criticized by conservatives for making that apology, it was a huge deal and many people freaked out.

I'm afraid that Aso is going to become a joke as well... I just wish Japan could get a decent prime minister for once... oh Japan.

[ecto_plasm]

"Hello, China is not home right now, please leave a message after the beep,"

"Um... China? Hi, this is Japan. Sorry about raping and murdering a whole bunch of you guys way back when. That was totally uncool. Our self esteem wasn't as good as it is now. We really feel bad about acting like such a cock."

"Next Message"

"Come to think about it, you are a bunch of fucking whores who totally wanted it. How you like me now China? Nyah! GO FUCK YOURSELF *click*"

Oh Japan, will you ever make up your mind?

[lethalinjustice]

Hah!! So true it hurts...