You talk as if I haven't been to that site several times throughout the years.
Also, did you not see where I brought up Japanese Only signs on my previous post. Like I said, it's okay to have constructive criticism, but one much be very careful to not be racist oneself when pointing out the racism in others.
Yes, I saw that, but i was very confused about your next statement there:
No matter how many Japanese Only signs there are or whatever, it doesn't make it right to become Japanophobic in return.
If there are a huge number of such things, it is a pretty strong indication that the foreigners will begin to rightfully feel Japanophobic, so your point does not hold water.
Yes, one must be careful not to be racist oneself. But, just where did that stem from in your mind?
I'm happy that Debito cares about the treatment of other foreigners in Japan. And I think it's neat how he forcibly ingrained himself in by becoming a naturalized citizen himself. But I'm not sure I agree with his methods.
You make it sound like he naturalized to be a stronger advocate of human rights here.
BTW, I don't always agree with what he writes or how he acts, either.
He says he's Japanese, but seems to promote only his non-Japanese side, while antagonizing the rest of the Japanese. Seems hypocritical.
He says he is Japanese because that is his citizenship now. His American citizenship is no longer a part of his life, and he is obviously proud of calling himself Japanese. Just because he is in favor of helping the foreigners here doesn't make that hypocritical. If a person advocated gay rights but was not gay, is that hypocritical?
But if a person wants to be Japanese and be considered Japanese, ruffling feathers isn't exactly the most Japanese thing to do.
Tell that to the Aum Shinrikyo or the Red Army. Not that such a statement is meant to compare Arudou with those creeps, but what I'm saying is, there are plenty of Japanese who are waking up to human rights, women's rights, equal rights, etc. and are being vocal about it. Are they not truly Japanese? Besides, being vocal is often one very good way to get noticed, and that is just the start in getting things changed. Squeaky wheel, you know.
Has Arudo Debito not tried to become Japanese culturally?
What the heck does this have to do with anything? Plenty of foreigners eat with chopsticks and wear kimonos and sleep on futons and bow and follow certain polite manners, etc. and they have NOT taken Japanese citizenship, but do you say
they are weird? Arudou is by law a Japanese citizen. Who cares (or knows) what he does culturally? Is he supposed to retain American ways? You pose a very strange question.
