Third eye opened
Posted Jul 18 2007
I felt that this article was similar to the rest of the articles However, I did like the
background. The question that caught my attention the most was when he was asked did he run into any different treatment because he was African American. He says that he felt the police pulled him over because he was Black. He than says that they let him go because they realized that he was a tourist and that he couldn’t speak Japanese. I don't get it. If a cop pulls over a person because of the color of their skin, that mostly means they’re a racist. If the cop was a racist he wouldn’t let him go just because he couldn’t speak their language. They would do whatever any racist cop would do which would be to harass that person. I feel that the cop probably realized he was mistaken. I'd like to hear more about this incident.-Jestin R.
Ron responds-I never accused the Japanese police of being "racist".
I said that people's perceptions often become their reality. And in the case of black men, most of their perceptions are based on what they see / hear on tv and mass media (i.e. rappers, thugs and gangsters). The police thought I was a "PIMP," based on the perception and images of black men that some "Nigerians" in Japan have created. Once the police realized I was just a tourist walking around taking pictures and was not a threat to anyone, they left me alone. Upon venturing out to other parts of Tokyo andobserving for my self some of the Nigerians, who happen to wear a lot of jewelry, I realized why they stopped me. I too wear a lot of jewelry. That's my style and part of my culture. Unfortunately, the perception often is if a black man wears a lot of jewelry you must be doing something illegal. This negative percpetion is often reinforced by mass media who constanstly portray black men as thugs and gangsters.
How was the artwork out there in Japan? What were some feelings you got from looking at the art? It seem life would have been better if you could get more of a taste of Japan, but was it just like the U.S. with some Japan on top? It may not have to all be about us being African American but somehow it always comes up. From what you said it looks like the police all ways find some black person to keep a eye on at all time. It must be in how much money a place has. The poorer a place is the more everyone has to look out for themselves. What happened to hip-hop now is they are just pop rappers. If all you’ve seen of African Americans are this, what can you do?-Ed H.
Ron's interview is very interesting since it gives you the opinion of an outsider who was in another country that he didn't know a lot about. I would also like to visit other places but I would also consider it hard to go to a place that you know very little of. I think that it is a vey cool experience that you get to explore the way of life of other cultures. I would also like to go Japan since he said that they had the same restaurants and that they have a lot in common with the western side. Ron also talked about stereotypes and how one time he got followed by police. The same stereotypes that they have over there they have over here. That is very sad because I don't think that stereotypes say the truth about every person because not everyone is the same and some people might get offended for what other people got in mind about them.
I was very surprised like him because I didn't think that American culture infuence Japan in a way that they are so alike. Also, that he liked being with people that did not speak his language since he wanted to learn more and more about Japanese culture.-Maria A.
How did you adapt to the environment not knowing the language? How did you get around? Besides fast food what where other western influences.-Mario G.
Ron responds-1) Being an observant person, I paid very close attention to people; non-verbal communication; body language; surroundings; everything. You just have to observe everything around you and trust your instincts.
2) Public transportation in Tokyo is excellent. Besides, it's easier to get around without a car than it is with one in Tokyo.
3) In Tokyo just about everything is influenced by western culture: the architecture, music, clothing, even the artwork. Outside of Tokyo you tend to see more traditional Japanese architecture and the pace of life tends to slow down. But the western influence is still there. I swear I must have seen a 7-11 or a McDonalds on every corner!
It was very surprising because I did not know that western culture is so dominant in Japan. However I agree that Japan should keep their culture and their traditions. I can also relate to the fact that he has been discriminated against because of the color of his skin because this has also happened to me when I was at Universal Studios. I was discriminated against by one person who was eventually kicked out for discriminating agaisnt more people. This interview is like a very good conversation between two friends. Or it seems to be.-Jesus C.
Dear Ron,Hi, my name is Edgar and I am a student at Oakland Unity High School. As I was reading through the interview, something really caught my attention. It was shady how you got stopped by the police, and not for something bad, but for taking a picture. It was all because of your skin color. It's a good thing they let you go. For the last two weeks, I’ve been learning about Japan. Japan sounds like a nice place to go and have a big, long vacation. I think I can really get used to Japan.
The good thing about living over there is that you don’t have to be watching your back. What I mean is that every time that I go out in Oakland I have to keep looking back. People over here won’t walk you home. People will try to rob you or try to jump you. That doesn’t make me scared, I just got used to all the violence that be going on in my town. Japan sounds like America because of all the fast food. I thought that only in the United States they had KFC. If it was for me to go and take a vacation to Japan I could really adapt to the environment. I have a question. Is St Louis like Oakland? I would like to know more about St Louis.
Sincerely,
Edgar B.
Ron responds-I've been to Southern California several times
(L.A.and San Diego) but never really visited Oakland, although I do plan to visit there sometime in the not-to-distant future. So I honestly can't make a comparison between Oakland and St. Louis. Sorry.
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