Japanese American Identity & Self-Image | Asian American Poll

JAPANESE AMERICAN IDENTITY & SELF-IMAGE
(Updated Tuesday, Apr 1, 2008, 05:14:11 PM to reflect the 100 most recent valid responses.)

In relating with other Asian American groups, Japanese Americans most exhibit which of the following attitudes?
More Americanized than thou | 51%
More rooted in ancestral heritage | 0%
More anxious to be low key | 49%
More embracing of other AA | 0%

Which of the following has the most impact on the Japanese American identity?
Smallest percentage of recent immigrants | 36%
World War II internment | 51%
Japan's economic success | 6%
Smaller population than other AA groups | 7%

This poll is closed to new input.
Comments posted during the past year remain available for browsing.

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WHAT YOU SAY

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L.A. KP
If you had bothered to read the previous comments and the poll at the left before talking out of your butt, you would realized that it is other Asian ethnic groups who think that Japanese Americans are more Americanized than other Asian ethnic groups. In case you didn't catch it, I'm referring to the poll answer that says "JA's are more Americanized than thou."

And Japanese have been in America for quite some time, as well as Chinese Americans. So it's not 300 hundred years, but Chinese and Japanese have been in America since the late 1800s, which I guess, since you probably can't add, is about 200 years or so.

Also, The Japanese American Citizens' League is the first and oldest Asian American civil rights organization. They fought for the civil rights of ALL Asian Americans, so don't say the Japanese Americans never did anything for you. If not for them, you may not even be in this country.

Keep the KP crap in the KP forums Friday, August 17, 2001 at 23:41:37 (PDT)

This is anti-Japan because how much Japanese Americans deny there japanesness your still japanese. Don't tell us how americanized you are. Every ethnic group who lives in United States are americanized. You Japanese Americans aren't only Asian groups living in United States are americanized. So shut the hell up!!!
about americanized ancestry!! like your ethnic group have been living in United States for 300 hundred years!!!
Give me a break!

from L.A.kp
L.A. Monday, August 13, 2001 at 21:43:16 (PDT)

AJA:

You make some good points, but try to see it REALLY from the Asian American perspective and not the mainstream for a second. People posting pro-Asian are NOT anti-White. Why do people automatically assume that? Is this society of free-thinkers so culturally-biased, they consider all things White-related superior, even to themselves?

People posting strong sentiment in general and in my opinion, have nothing against Whites. Some of those probably have so-called assimiliated much more than those they labeled "white-washed." All i'm simply stating is this. Asians are EQUALS to any other race in this world. It's about time we, Asian Americans start to believe that!!

Asian American is as good as Black American, White American, etc. How can anyone expect this country to believe this when our own kind obviously doesnt; just check out the earlier posts.

Those of us with a strong voice, speaking out. We're not Extremist, or Supremecist. We're simply making a very GOOD point.

That point is simply this: We dont need to be anything other than ourselves!!
Critic of White-Washed Sellouts! Sunday, August 12, 2001 at 23:17:19 (PDT)

I think people who tend to post messages of a socio-political nature on the Internet in general have a pathological tendency. Most "cool" Asian-Americans I know (of all ethnic origins) get along fine and live with the daily endeavors of life. I'm a 3rd generation Chinese-American and I do not in any bit feel proud that my own people along with whites, Mexicans and blacks had bought some properties and businesses off of Japanese-Americans for a "bargain price" during the war when they were interned. But, then again, I do not feel too good about what the Japanese were doing to our kinfolk back home in Asia either. Yet, you guys should realize the Japanese-Americans here and in Hawaii are not the ones in Asia!!! Just like, my group are not the same ones in China today!!! Our ties to the old countries only live in memories and stories passed down. Of course, we don't know much about the experiences of other fellow Asian-Americans' ethnic experiences and there may exist some small prejudices, but that can only be obliterated through mutual contact and feelings of goodwill and commonality in our experiences as a racial minority and as Asian-Americans in this American ethno-racial mosaic. Soon, we will all be the same whether mixed with non-Asians or not!!!
3rd Generation Chinese-American Sunday, August 12, 2001 at 17:14:32 (PDT)

AJA
As a Corean American, I NEVER harbored any anger toward Japanese Americans. Why should I? Only the ignorant would blame Japanese Americans for the past atrocities or present discriminatory policies of Japan.
But I do have some anti Japanese feeling toward the Japanese like many Coreans and other Asians since the Japanese people seem to follow whatever discriminatory policies the government of Japan continues to practice.
I would also like to hear more from Japanese Americans.
Not confused Sunday, August 12, 2001 at 12:31:38 (PDT)

Howcome if this is the Japanese American identity forum there are no intelligent posts from Japanese Americans? All it seems to be is anti-Japan, not Japanese American, propaganda and just people hating on Japanese in general. When do people stop comparing Japanese Americans to Japanese in Japan? As a Japanese American myself, I can tell you I don't look to Japanese in Japan as my countrymen, or what have you. I mean yes, I share a common ancestry with them, but I was raised in a different culture and country.
A common gripe of Asian Americans is that people ask them what country they're from, or tell them that they speak English well, and this makes them angry. They are offended if they are not recognized as American, yet at the same time these are the same people who accuse others of "not being a true Asian" or not having pride in who they are if they call themselves American. It's a double standard that no Asian American should have to deal with.

There are also a lot of scary sounding Asians in here, I'd venture to say on the verge of sounding militant. Take a look at yourselves and compare yourselves to white supremacists, Nation of Islam members, and take note that you're not so different. Why not just start an Asian separatist group? But then my question is, why are you in America if you hate white people and the country so much?

I think you all need to stop worrying so much about other people and check yourselves. I look forward to seeing posts from other Japanese Americans.
AJA Saturday, August 11, 2001 at 23:21:11 (PDT)

To American (White) Girl, Japanese Ancestry, Blah, Blah ...& EnergyTrader:

You 2 should get together! I think you'd make a great pair. OOOPS! on the other hand, you 2 probably wouldnt get along. EnergyTrader, she'd never fully appreciate you cause you're not REALLY White... sad but true. Well, you'd probably never appreciate her for the same reason now. So NOT a match made in heaven unfortunately.

Actually it'd be like a match made in Hell, for both of you!! You 2 would constantly remind each of "OH NO!!" your own ethnicity.....

She says, "American - definitely not an insult, yes!" You know that makes her so happy, cause she hears "WHITE!!" :-) Well, that's exactly what we're saying. We're all Americans too, but NOT like you!! Ken, dont be fooled by this foolish chick! Go read her old postings..
Love to tease :-) Friday, August 03, 2001 at 21:26:26 (PDT)

Confusing points of view (Girl of American National, Ethnically Japanese & EnergyTrader):

You know I read these postings last week and found this girl: American National, Ethnically Japanese, to be completely self-loathing and in the least posessing some major identity issues. Somehow she managed to turn it around and made those who attempted to educate her, the ones with the issues. Pretty slick there if you as me. Granted some of those speaking against her weren't so nice. :-) But i had read her initial postings... she dont fool me. In the least I hope she's learned something, at least have found yourself being ashamed of what she is. Now hopefully she will see a better light.

As for that persone writing about Japanese competing in European and American markets, and then equating Japanese to Blacks.. See this lame-ass's quote below:

"Also, branding Japanese who compete in markets with Europeans and Americans as "whitewashed" should sound similar to branding blacks who attempt to compete with middle class caucasian kids academically as "uncle Toms". "

YOU ARE SUCH A FUK..EN LOSER!!! WHAT ARE YOU IMPLYING?? IN BUSINESS, THAT ASIANS (Japanese) are Blacks while the European Americans are the middle-class whites?? AND THAT BLACKS ARE INHERENTLY INFERIOR TO WHITES?? I hope you know you've just insulted the following people:
1. ALL ASIANS
2. ALL BLACKS

You also just put all WHITES up to a massive pedestal!!! You're such a moron. Are you really Asian??? And you're a TRADER for crying out loud!!

The last time I checked people considered many products designed in Japan to the top-notch (ie: Hondas, Sony, etc.) By the way, did you know that the Japanese economy is still the second largest economy in the world..last i checked. China is catchin up. Business in asia by the way is BOOMING, despite recent economic slowdowns. I'm not saying in any way the Asian economies are or will be superior to that of the European or Amercan economies. I'm simply stating that one is NOT inherently SUPERIOR..and especially not because of its WHITENESS!

Please dont come to an Asian American site and insult everyone, including yourself. Just because people like you and that girl of American Nationality, Japanese Ethnicity, are so DAMN ENVIOUS of Whites, It doesnt mean the rest of us are.

Now forgive me if I'm jumping to conclusions, but you really pissed me off. Next time you should read what you post before you post them.
I'd like to say I'm not a Tough Critic, but... Monday, July 30, 2001 at 22:10:09 (PDT)

totally agree with you American National, Ethically Japanese. What's wrong with all these ignorant asian folks. American does not equal white! American is a nationality, not a ethnicity.
and to the foolish japanese/japanese americans and korean/korean americans bashing each other. who's whiter than who? and who's better than whom? Most people other than yourselves can't tell you two groups apart. All the negative stuff you're raising about the other group only makes you look even more foolish.
ken Monday, July 30, 2001 at 06:08:47 (PDT)

The envy of other "asians" for the Japanese is evident by the special question of "Japanese identity". Why is there no KA identity or CA identity topic? For other "Asians" to regard Japanese as "whitewashed" because they use superficially "European" methods to compete in world markets is laughable. These so-called "proud asians" seem to know exactly what is "european" and what is "really" Japanese. Please advise me what it means to "look" "asian" so I don't "accidentally" "look" like a "yellow" "uncle Tom". If you haven't guessed yet, my use of quotation marks indicates the childishly superficial use of these words. Also, branding Japanese who compete in markets with Europeans and Americans as "whitewashed" should sound similar to branding blacks who attempt to compete with middle class caucasian kids academically as "uncle Toms".
Too many Chinese and Koreans have a victim mentality. The Japanese are free , as anyone else, to compete by any means necessary to win. If that appears as something European, as if you knew exactly what Europeans thought in the first place, too bad. By associating winning behavior with "acting white", as blacks put it, you are, by definition, assigning "asians" a role of perpetual losers.

energytraderus eoptions@pacbell.net Monday, July 30, 2001 at 00:17:36 (PDT)

Ummm
The Koreans and Asians are the ones that should stop bashing and hating on the Japanese in a JA forum! Now that is Pathetic! Someone needs to shut them up.
J Sunday, July 29, 2001 at 16:35:54 (PDT)

Censored:
Good for you, you can speak Nihongo. So I'm less of a Japanese since I can't speak the language of my great-grandparents? I don't think so. I know who I am, what my ethnicity is, and whichever way I choose to express it is up to me and me only. Stop trying to set a standard for how all people of Japanese ethnicity should act. It's ridiculous--who do you think you are?

And yes, I said I do not want to live in Japan. And yes, I am American--that's not an insult to me. No one said being American means being white, except for all the ignorant Asians in this forum. My nationality is American, after all, and my ETHNICITY is Japanese.

Also, you seem to think that Asia means Japan. When I said that Asia does not have the same kind of freedom allotted in America, did you ever stop to think about the mandatory caste system in India, communism in China and North Korea, the outlaw of all things artistic, creative, and intellectual in Cambodia (only now they are trying to modernize and bring back a lost culture), extreme corruption in the Philippines, etc.?? You didn't think about it because you chose to write out of your ass because you don't have one intelligent thought to add. Bakatare!
American National, Ethnically Japanese Saturday, July 28, 2001 at 22:56:51 (PDT)

To the Japanese student, whose grasp of the English language leaves much to be desired:

You gotta chill out with your bashing of other Asians here. You are a SAD example for other Japanese and Asians. Who gives a shit if Japanese are the only asian race in the G7. That doesnt make you any better. According to your post, it almost appears like you think the Japanese are almost white. That's so ironic, because most japanese people are much better off economically than most white people in this world.

You're a F..King idiot. Quit looking down on others and looking up to Whites! You are a pathetic fool, who feels insecure about yourself, that you feel the need to put down Coreans.

YOU ARE ONE OF THE WORST EXAMPLES FOR AN ASIAN IN AMERICA!!!
Sick of the Japanese Student who cant write! Saturday, July 28, 2001 at 00:50:05 (PDT)

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