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Accepting diversity

In my last two notes, I wrote about my experiences in both America and Japan, recognizing and addressing prejudice and discrimination that existed in each community. This was something I had never done before, and to be honest, I was scared. I was scared because I didn't know how to come to terms with myself regarding this, and because I didn't know how anyone would feel reading it. Most of all, I didn't want anyone to look on me, or us, from a biased perspective. But I took my chances, with the one hope that my writings would shed light on an issue most people were unaware of, or refusing to dig into.

人には誰にでも話したくない過去があると思います。私は自分の経験を話すことによって、色眼鏡を通して【私】を見た、「そんな経験をして、可哀相だったね」と同情されたりしたくないという気持ちがあって、今までこの話をすることを避けてきました。なんとなく明るくヘラヘラしていたほうが生きやすいとか、人付き合いが楽だとか思ってしまっていた自分がいます。でも、自分の仕事を通して、色々な方々に自分を知ってもらう機会が増えてきたことがきっかけで、もしかしたら自分の経験を書き記すことによって、(とてもふわふわした想いですが)何かプラスなことがあるかもしれないと思い、今回noteを書くことにしました。

With that said, here's some food for thought: What DOES it mean to be American, or Japanese? Or any other? In recent years, there have been many opportunities to think about who someone 'is.'

アメリカ人であるということは、どういうことなのか。日本人であるということは、どういうことなのか。誰かが【誰か】である、とはどういうことなのだろう。

To start, the debate of whether or not the superstar Naomi Osaka should be considered Japanese is still fresh in my memory. She is a true icon, a heroic figure who not only brought so much joy to our hearts by showing her outstanding talents in tennis, but also by standing up for herself as being 'her,' a unique self that would not be restrained in stereotypical criticism. She protected her identity, as well as others'; and that is enough for her to be a great contribution to society. I admire her of her bravery and strength for representing both her Japanese and Haitian-American identity.

But let's look back: what was the issue here? Is she not Japanese because she doesn't look so? Or because she doesn't speak the language well? Even though she has Japanese citizenship, she was criticized as being "only halfway Japanese." What if she had long straight hair, black eyes, and spoke Japanese perfectly well? What if she 'looked Japanese' but couldn't speak the language?...And what about me? Where am I to be placed?

アイデンティティの在り方については、大坂なおみ選手が沢山教えてくれましたよね。彼女はスター選手であるが故に自身の国籍についての批判を受けたことでも話題になりました。「日本人らしくない」「日本人に見えない」などの批判。彼女は、「私は、私である」という発言で、彼女自身だけでなく、同じ苦悩や葛藤を持つ仲間を守り抜き、私はそれにすごく共感したことを覚えています。

In America, I was considered 'non-Asian' because of my proficiency in the English language. In Japan, I was discriminated as being only 'halfway Japanese' from the same reason, as well as my appearance. I sometimes wonder, if only I looked American, would I have not experienced such stereotypical treatment?

私は、アメリカでは「見た目は日本人だけど、英語が流暢に話せるからアジア人ではない」と言われ、同じ理由で日本では「中途半端な日本人」だと区別されました。もし見た目が完全にアメリカ人だったら、そのような扱いは受けなかったのだろうか。

Without any self-introduction, what would you think I would be? Japanese? American? Why would you say so?

Getting down to what I have learned: everyone is uniquely different. You might think this is obvious. It might be. It should be. Some people like apples, others might hate oranges. Some might look African American, and others might look Caucasian. I am Japanese, but I'm not good at being punctual. I'm American but I take my shoes off when I come home. And that's okay. At least, it should be. It's okay to be German and hate beer. It's okay to wear make-up as a man. It's okay to be a female president. It's okay. Or rather, it's actually pretty awesome and very cool.

人は皆違う。当たり前に思うことかもしれません。当たり前に認められるべきなのかもしれません。りんごが好きな人もいれば、オレンジが大嫌いな人もいる。アフリカ系アメリカ人の方もいれば、コケージャンの方もいる。私は日本人だけど、時間にルーズだし、アメリカ人でもあるけど、家に帰った時は靴を脱ぐ。でもそれは全然悪いことではないはずです。ドイツ人なのにビール嫌いでも良いし、男性でメイクをしていてもいい。大統領が女性であってもいい。むしろ、イケてると思います。

What I also learned though my experiences: even though all of that seems obvious, some people are blind, or oblivious of this fact. It should be simple; we live in a community where no one is alike of one another. We might have similarities, but compared to our differences, those similarities should be very small. And yet, we are always excessively keen of our differences, and set the acceptance bar too high.

To be honest, I don't know what is right and wrong, and I'm not saying that there is a right answer. But I realized, with time, that maybe Naomi's stance in this, to be uniquely both, is the best way to be myself. I am only American, and also Japanese. I overcame my identity crisis, accepting myself as being both, but distinctively different. I hope you will accept me as who I am.

それらは全て、お互いに認められるべき個性なのに、人は時に盲目になると思います。ひとりひとり違うのは当たり前のことで、【似ている部分】はほんの一部、【異なる部分】に比べたらきっととても少ないはずです。それなのに、人は【異なる部分】にばかり敏感になっていると思うんです。

To conclude, I still haven't given up on myself. That is what I have learned: don't try to place yourself in a certain group. Don't sacrifice a part of you to fit in. This is something I have promised myself throughout my experiences.

この経験を通して学んだこと。決めたこと。
私は、
自分の個性の一部を殺してまでも、どこかに属そうとするのはやめよう
と思いました。

And especially during this difficult time where hate is dominating the world, I want to remind ourselves once again that it's okay to be different and that we need to accept each other's differences. For some reason, it's hard, but it's possible. The only people who can save us, is ourselves.

Thank you for reading! I hope this was somewhat of an interest to you! Please feel free to ask me any questions in the comments below.
And as always, your support will be very much appreciated :)

いいなと思ったら応援しよう!

Kino
Thank you for reading; I'd appreciate the support--please help me share my experiences for the greater good :)